Climate Culture
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Some good news about high gas prices
I’m a bit late on this, but it’s still worth mentioning. Via The New York Times: Traffic deaths in the United States declined last year, reaching the lowest level in more than a decade, the government reported Thursday. Some 41,059 people were killed in highway crashes, down by more than 1,600 from 2006. It was […]
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From Hangover to Helmet
Hangover helper Yet another reason to down organic booze. As if we needed one. Swingers In a perfect world, there’d be no energy crisis because everyone would bike and bus. But it sure ain’t a perfect world, so we’ll settle for bike rack art and bus stops with swings. Finnish line We’re all about encouraging […]
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Our right to know about fuel-efficient tires
I’m always fascinated by the “1 percent solutions” to energy. It seems to me that in order to address both climate change and fossil fuel dependence, we’ll need a few big structural changes, but we’ll also need a lot of 1 percent solutions — and maybe a bunch of quarter-percent solutions too. And the advantage […]
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McCain’s carbon dioxide bill is about 10 times the average American’s
I’d estimate it’s about 150 tons of carbon dioxide, some 10 times that of the average American. But someone should ask Senator McCain. After all, he says he wants to require all Americans to cut greenhouse gas emissions 60 percent to 70 percent by 2050. As probably the whole country knows by now, John McCain […]
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Athletes play down pollution concerns, Beijing gives in to weather
Not so bad. That’s what Olympic Canadian cyclist Svein Tuft thought of the air quality when he raced on Saturday, Aug. 9 (Air Pollution Index: 78) for six and a half hours outside of Beijing. As The New York Times reported, Tuft made short shrift of the pollution fears: The pollution concerns, he decided, “have […]
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Wall*E and Kleenex
The film Wall*E had a strong environmental theme. Now Kleenex tissues are featuring Wall*E on their packaging. Odd. As Greenpeace says: If you look on the bottom of these boxes, you’ll see a little recycled symbol that says: “This box is made from 100% recycled paper.” What you won’t see on the bottom of that […]
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A guide for greener back-to-school shopping
Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be an exercise in conspicuously ungreen consumption. Eco-friendly school supplies made of recycled and organic materials are easier than ever to find. One great place to start shopping is TheGreenOffice.com. And the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice has a handy back-to-school shopping guide that helps you avoid products containing […]
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When the tomato harvest gets out of hand, the tough get canning
Too much of a good thing? Photos: Kurt Michael Friese For a tomato-loving gardener, what’s the only thing more frightening than a failed crop? Try an overabundant one. You become terrified that any of these jewels will go to waste. The specter of fruit flies congregating on the compost heap brings regret of over-ambitious spring […]
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How to start composting
Dig in to get the dirt on composting. Composting is a lot like sex. It’s a healthy, natural process involving fertility, tumbling around, and — when it’s going right — steaminess. On top of that, some people call it dirty. It’s not our fault we’re squeamish. Most Americans are praised from an early age for […]
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California won’t ban BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups
With 22 legislators abstaining, the California Assembly voted 31-27 Monday not to ban chemical bisphenol A in baby products. BPA is one of those things you’d like to keep out of your kid; the bill would have banned it from bottles, sippy cups, and other containers for tots. Legislators also voted 36-33 (with 11 abstentions) […]
