Climate Culture

Well, There’s One Thing They Can Agree On

National party conventions aim to go green You’ve maybe noticed that green is the Hot New Thing these days — and the U.S. political arena is no exception. The 2008 Democratic and Republican national conventions both plan to get hip to the greenness. Denver, Colo., site of the Democratic potlatch, is primed to beat eco-friendly […]

A valedictory to Colin Fletcher

For most of us who care about ecology and the environment, there was some personal experience that brought us there. For me, it was wilderness hiking, beginning 30-plus years ago in the Grand Canyon and continuing across the American West. Two books helped instigate my journeys and those of thousands of fellow adventure-seekers and nature-lovers. The Welshman who wrote them, the intrepid and blessedly individualistic Colin Fletcher, died earlier this month, at 85.

I can't recall which I read first -- The Man Who Walked Through Time, in which Fletcher chronicled his 400-mile hike through the Grand Canyon, or his compulsively detailed guide to backpacking, The Complete Walker. That's probably because I read them both repeatedly and obsessively.

Umbra on solar funding

Dear Umbra, I have been looking high and low regarding ongoing tax credits and incentives for solar installations on private residences. I may be looking for something that doesn’t even exist, but the rumors certainly do. Is there some website I can confer with to see if there really is such a thing? I have […]

EWG takes a look at how sunscreens stack up

As the summer sun starts to heat up in Seattle, I’ve been wondering what sort of environmentally sound sunscreen options are out there to protect my pale, pale flesh from certain scorching. I considered writing to Umbra under a pseudonym to get an answer, but the Environmental Working Group jumped on the subject before I […]

It ain’t enough to make a tour green

Bonnaroo isn’t the easiest place to transcribe interviews, what with the 24-hour music for four days straight. So I’ll be continuing to post new material from my time at the festival for the next couple days. And I’ve also got some longer interviews planned for the future. Get psyched! Next up, my chat Sunday with […]

Two great tastes?

Christina Larson has the latest on the flowering cooperation between greens and the hook & bullet crowd. This bit is funny: Hunters are predominantly male. Yet the folks who’ve been most successful in reaching out and forging partnerships haven’t been green dudes, talking man to man — but rather the enviro ladies. A few possible […]

Comedian Dave Attell wants your number

Comedian Dave Attell wants your number. No, really! The star of Comedy Central’s Insomniac was at Bonnaroo this year working the air-conditioned comic tent. At a press conference Sunday afternoon, Attell said he’s really here for the hippie girls, and that he likes a vegan girl who can keep him up all night talking about […]

Did someone call for a smog machine?

No, that’s not smog. It’s all the dry, dusty dirt drifting everywhere I go here at Bonnaroo. It’s in my hair, covering my shoes, and stuck to every drop of sweat on my body. That I can deal with … The problem is that it’s also in my eyes, my nose, my lungs. I came […]

Umbra on passive solar

Dear Umbra, Not to belabor the home heating series, I’m considering installing a masonry stove. I’ve read that they’re quite efficient, though costly to build. What’s your take in relation to the other options you’ve discussed? What about other alternative heating methods like passive solar heating and radiant floor heating? John Logan, Utah P.S. I’m […]

At a press-only Bonnaroo show

Caught a press-only acoustic performance yesterday with the Cold War Kids, Elvis Perkins, and Alec Ounsworth (dreamy!) from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The show was amazing; the guys played several songs from each band, ending with "Doomsday" by Elvis Perkins, which has amazing (and somewhat relevant) lyrics that I can’t seem to find online. […]