Culture

Can a mom in middle America survive a month without a car?

Not 20 minutes after the Amtrak clerk said our train would be at least an hour late — “probably much more” — I almost caved. “We could rent a car and drive home,” I thought, and maybe even muttered. “Nobody has to know.” I had just hit my breaking point. Carolyn rides the bus. Photos: […]

Christine Gardner Culture

From Hurley to Hetchy

Certified orgasmic Liz Hurley has announced that she will give up acting, prompting an anguished nation to cry out, “Wait, when did Liz Hurley start acting?” Seems Hurley wants to devote herself full-time to her farm in England, which will soon go organic and get proper livestock. “I’ve joined the breeders’ club already,” said Hurley. […]

David Roberts & Sarah van Schagen Culture

Umbra on washing your car

Dear Umbra, What can I do about washing my car in a more eco-friendly way? Is phosphate-free soap enough, or should I just suck it up and go to the drive-through car wash every time? Katie North Carolina Dearest Katie, You are one of those fastidious people I see busily washing their cars on Saturdays. […]

Ask Umbra® Culture

From Kinky to Kicky

Kinky is as Kinky does Texas guber-candidate Kinky Friedman is trading his Caddy for a biodiesel ride and wants Willie in his cabinet. Plus he’s got his own action figure and a rockin’ ‘stache. Almost makes us want to pack up for the Lone Star State. Almost. Photo: Brian Kanof MyCage.com It’s hard out here […]

Katharine Wroth & Sarah van Schagen Culture

The Sea Lion King

A new documentary delves into the lives of California sea lions Because of their long history as circus animals, California sea lions are one of the most widely recognized marine mammals in the world. But they’ve also gained a rep as a pest, hanging around harbors, stealing fish out of salmon ladders and fishing nets. […]

Grist staff Culture

Frank Scura’s green ideas are sick

Xtremely green demo at a Whole Foods in San Mateo, Calif. Photo: Courtesy ASEC With the recent profusion of green takes on everything from diapers to caskets, Frank Scura’s proposition might sound like more of the same: “We’re about greening the planet, one skateboard at a time.” But Scura, founder of the Bay Area-based Action […]

Gregory Dicum Culture

Umbra on dropping out of society

Dear Umbra, Although I have always been one to conserve, recycle, etc., it is only in the last year that I have realized the extent of the catastrophe coming upon us in terms of climate change. I am 40-something, live in a city, own an older home with a sizeable mortgage that requires my husband […]

Ask Umbra® Culture

Can industrial civilization really become sustainable? Should it?

To be, or not to be — that is the age-old question, and civilization today faces its own dire version of it. As the negative social and ecological effects of 150 years of industrialization are becoming impossible to ignore, people are asking whether we can maintain our standards of living. But very few are asking […]

Charles Shaw Culture

Jason Wentworth, eco-friendly laundromat owner, answers questions

Jason Wentworth. What work do you do? I am the owner, along with my wife Sandrine, of the Washboard Eco Laundry in Portland, Maine. How does it relate to the environment? We have attempted to create a new model for the coin-laundry industry by designing our business around the goal of minimizing the environmental impact […]