Climate Culture
All Stories
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Irrigation Irritation
Agricultural Water Efficiency May Do More Harm Than Good Using water more efficiently in farming may ultimately increase long-term water shortages, warn some water experts. Although efficiency efforts — such as lining irrigation ditches to prevent leaks and delivering water directly to roots rather than flooding fields — are touted as a solution to problems […]
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More advice on recycling batteries
Dear Umbra, I’ve been turning in my used alkaline batteries at the local drug store’s photo department, mine being Savon here in Southern California. It appears they recycle their spent film cans and cartridges, as well as cameras and batteries. At least this is what I have surmised when I have dropped off my used […]
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Umbra on tankless water heaters
Dear Umbra, While you were warning folks to plan ahead for a potential water-tank failure, I thought you should mention the natural gas heat-on-demand systems that they should use to replace their tanks. Last spring, when our 50-gallon tank decided to give our basement floor a thorough cleaning, we had to scramble to find an […]
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Umbra on wood stoves
Dear Umbra, When you suggested that someone may want wood heat because it “makes you feel like a country stud,” you made an erroneous assumption — that your audience is entirely urban. Here in Skamokawa, Wash., many a mile from the nearest natural gas line, the choices are essentially wood or electricity. In September, my […]
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That Ken-do Spirit
London’s Mayor Pushes Solar Panels London’s lefty mayor, known (either fondly or derisively, depending on whom you talk to) as “Red Ken” Livingstone, is calling for the “vast majority” of new homes built in London to include photovoltaic solar panels. The requirement is part of a set of strict building and planning rules for local […]
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Streaming Media
Judge Bans Pesticide Use Near Northwest Salmon Runs A federal judge Thursday banned the use of a wide range of pesticides in and around thousands of miles of waterways in the Northwest frequented by endangered salmon, and required stores selling seven of the most dangerous banned pesticides to display signs reading “salmon hazard.” U.S. District […]
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Leipzig Lizards!
World’s Largest Solar Energy Plant Planned for Germany The world’s largest solar energy plant — projected to meet the power demands of some 1,800 households — will soon start soaking up rays outside the eastern German town of Leipzig this year. The $27 million plant, to be built by the Royal Dutch/Shell’s Solar Group, will […]
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English Beat
U.K. Sets Ambitious CO2 Reduction Goals The British government yesterday announced a plan to not only meet but beat Kyoto Protocol requirements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The nation will aim to cut its carbon dioxide emissions 20 percent by 2010 through a combination of regulations and pollution credit trading systems. Industry groups in the […]
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Umbra on intransigent non-recyclers
Dear Umbra, I am a completely eco-friendly person and strive to have my family follow in those footsteps. We have a recycling system — one my canned-beer-drinking dad refuses to abide by. (Not that I’m criticizing canned beer or my father. Both are good.) He refuses to recycle his cans, and I’m a little tired […]
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Umbra on recycling widgets
Dear Umbra, I am a huge fan of Guinness, often referring to it as Nectar of the Gods. Question is, are the cans with the cool nitrous plastic doohickeys in them recyclable? I’ve got a bet riding on this with the significant other. Thanks for enlightenment. MelissaDenver, Colo. Dearest Melissa, Yes. Guinness recycling is good […]
