Climate Culture

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  • Sundance getaway converts mayors into climate activists

    Salt Lake City played host to mayors getting up to speed on climate issues. City leaders from around the U.S. were treated to a rare bird’s-eye view of the environment earlier this week at the Sundance Summit, a three-day mayors’ retreat on climate change hosted by Robert Redford in Salt Lake City and at his […]

    Amanda Little Culture

  • They’re everywhere!

    I can't go outside anymore in Seattle without seeing a Toyota Prius -- actually make that several. To escape the onslaught, I ducked into a movie theater this past weekend to watch War of the Worlds. Just as I was thinking it would be just me, Tom, Dakota and a few alien friends, Mr. Prius showed up on the big screen to remind me that he's watching me. Is there no escape!?

    Chris Schults Culture

  • Umbra on lawn mowers

    Dear Umbra, OK, I hate lawns. But for a number of reasons, I have to move into a town where lawns are the law, and mowing a necessity. Can you give me the scoop on the most eco-friendly lawnmower that will still cut decently? (No, I can’t have goats.) My old reel lawnmower never did […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture

  • Seth Heine of CollectiveGood answers questionsSeth Heine of CollectiveGood answers Grist’s

    Seth Heine. With what environmental organizations are you affiliated? I’m the president of CollectiveGood and RIPMobile.com — mobile phone recyclers. What do your organizations do? What, in a perfect world, would constitute “mission accomplished”? CollectiveGood recycles mobile devices (phones, pagers, PDAs) and all of their related accessories, usually in partnerships with charities, companies, and/or governments. […]

    Grist staff Culture

  • Umbra on washing machines

    Dear Umbra, I have a top-loading washing machine that’s nine years old. I’ve heard that front-loading machines are a lot more efficient and use less detergent, so I’m thinking about taking the plunge, even though my old machine works fine. How much less water do the front-loading machines use, and why? And is it true […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture

  • Conflating environmentalists and terrorists is all the rage

    What liberals and their allies in the environmentalist wacko movement fail to understand is: their message has gotten out. Their anti-capitalist, socialist, gloom-and-doom, fear-based, lunatic ravings have been amplified — and Americans understand exactly who they are, and what they’re about. As the “Mr. Big” of the vast right-wing conspiracy, I am proud, ladies and […]

    Michael Kavanagh Culture

  • Getting to the bottom of climate-change lingo

    Remember when you first heard about that big hole in the ozone? Remember how they called it “the ozone hole”? Man, life was good then. Raise your hand if you’re sure … what you’re talking about. Now everyone’s talking about global warming. Or, actually, climate change. Or … uh … anthropogenic forcing? What we’ve got, […]

    David Hyde Culture

  • Umbra on shaving, part two

    Dear Umbra, I just read your response about men’s shaving, but what about women? I don’t see many women shaving with straight razors, plus we have the depilatory cream and waxing options too. What’s our best option, especially for those of us who just hate dealing with it, but must? CatherineAppleton, Wis. Dearest Catherine, Although […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture

  • Green Living and Paper or Plastic give shoppers cause — and pause

    Food for thought. I found out not too long ago that I am a LOHAS. Or, I should say, I found out that a gaggle of people I’ve never met think I am a LOHAS. These initials, as you may well know, stand for “lifestyles of health and sustainability.” We LOHAS shoppers are, according to […]

    Michelle Nijhuis Culture

  • Umbra on eco-conscious fashion

    Dear Umbra, I need some new clothes! But besides shopping consignment and used clothing shops and hunting through labels looking for “Made in USA” tags, are there online sources of organic- or sustainable-fabric clothes that are guaranteed sweatshop-free? I would not mind investing in some decent duds that look nice and last. Lorna VogtSalt Lake […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture