Climate Culture

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  • 365 days of junk mail

    In December 2007, in “Junk Mail Box,” I lauded ad-mail slayer Catalog Choice and argued for US and Canadian Do Not Mail registries. Soon thereafter, I began using Catalog Choice assiduously at home. I also refreshed my subscription to the Direct Mail Association’s Mail Preference Service. I wrote to ValPak to plead for a reprieve […]

    Alan Durning Culture

  • Is this a green home?

    I’m thinking about reporting on this house as an example of sensible environmental design reproducible for the masses. Can anyone help me decide? This is a press release (emphasis mine): We handle parenting author, environmentalist, and “The Crafty Mom” Mary Lyon who recently built her 6,700 square foot spectacular “green” home in Brentwood, California. Below […]

    Jonathan Hiskes Culture

  • Solar chargers, real and imagined

    The real news of the day: there’s now a solar-powered charger for iPhones. The more entertaining news: At Comic-Con this weekend, Jimmy Fallon dressed up as a solar-powered superhero called “Recharger” and tried to sell his idea to, among others, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Joss Whedon, and that hot guy from Lost. This skit is […]

    Katharine Wroth Culture

  • Ask Umbra on solar pool heaters

    Send your question to Umbra! Q. Dear Umbra, With all the rain we’ve had this year, the pool water doesn’t get a chance to warm up in between rainstorms. We are trying to design a passive heating system. We’ve thought about flexible one-inch black hose (if we can find it) attached to the filter and […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture

  • “The Bill”

    This little film … … isn’t perfect, but damn is it good. Four minutes and 22 seconds, in German with English subtitles, but watch it anyway. Kudos to Germanwatch, and if anyone wants to pay for an English version, don’t hesitate to write me.

    Tom Athanasiou Culture

  • Saying goodbye to a common–and toxic–antimicrobial chemical

    Triclosan: a toxic chemical that shows up in the damndest placesIn Checkout Line, Lou Bendrick cooks up answers to reader questions about how to green their food choices and other diet-related quandaries. Lettuce know what food worries keep you up at night. ——————— Dear Grist,I have been getting contradictory information about triclosan. Organic Consumers Association […]

    Lou Bendrick Culture

  • Ask Umbra on low-e window films

    Send your question to Umbra! Q. Dear Umbra, I have noticed window film applications available at local home improvement stores that claim additional insulation qualities when used, in addition to a sleek look when compared to window blinds. In comparison to the standard winter window applications you can buy to help with drafty windows, but […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture

  • Climate-news poem: George Will edition

    Photo: Chalky LivesGeez, I gotta shout!Every time I read aboutOp-ed columns in the PoRife with Willful mis-info.George is at it once again:Every time he dips his penWe are treated to a rantIntellectually scant.Luckily there do aboundLots of people who have foundInteresting ways to takeSwipes at comments that are fake.As they pointed out last time,Data truly […]

    Katharine Wroth Culture

  • Hipsters give dumpster diving new meaning, and more

    Getting trashedDumpster diving, as defined by a hippie: dinner. Dumpster diving, as defined by a hipster: exclusive urban swimming hole. Photo: diegofuego via Flickr  

    Sarah van Schagen Culture

  • Ask Umbra on (gasp) throwing stuff out

    Send your question to Umbra! Q. Dear Umbra, About a year ago I made the whole body switch to organic and all-natural shampoos, body lotions, makeup, etc. In an attempt to stop my packrat-like habits, I want to know, what do I do with all of my old chemical-laden bottles and tubes? I can’t bare […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture