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advice

  • Umbra on recycling batteries

    Dear Umbra, I have to humbly admit that for years I’ve known that one can recycle batteries, but unfortunately, I’ve never known where or how to do this. I’ve been living in Seattle and northern Italy for the last year, and I have a pile of old batteries in each place. If you have any […]

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  • Advice on choosing carrots

    Dearest Umbra, I’m curious how they make those mystical little carrots that are just the right size for snacking. Are baby carrots actually harvested that small, or are they carved out of bigger carrots? If they’re carved out of bigger carrots, where do all the shavings go? Bottom line: Am I supporting a wasteful production […]

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  • Umbra on reversing the tide

    Dear Umbra, I can’t take it! A body-building actor was just elected governor of my state! I’m going to go mad! Then my friend said, “Don’t get mad, get even.” You’ve got to help me — California is crazy, but at least we’ve been setting the standard on some environmental issues. (Not all of them, […]

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  • Advice on channeling your eco-political anger

    Dear Umbra, Now that this country has been lost to the Earth-ravaging Republicans, tell me: Which other country should I run to seeking environmentally aware salvation? MelAlbany, N.Y. Dearest Mel, America. Love it or leave it, pal. Are Republicans inherently Earth-ravaging? Do all Republicans believe the Clear Skies initiative is progress? Do they all buy […]

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  • The scoop on Bush’s Texas getaway

    Dear Umbra, I heard a rumor that President Bush’s Texas ranch is off the grid. I find it very hard to believe (unless “off the grid” means he has his own oil well and refinery set up) and I can’t find any documentation about it. Ever heard this? Know if it’s true or false? Skeptical,JulieChicago, […]

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  • Umbra on dishwashers

    Dear Umbra, I’m in the market for a new dishwasher, one that uses as little water and energy as possible and still gets that flatware sparklin’ clean. But I don’t have a lot of dough to blow on appliances. Any thoughts? DeanOrem, Utah Dearest Dean, I really can’t say enough about Consumer Reports and its […]

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  • Umbra on deer hunting

    Dear Umbra, My husband kills deer every fall for the “sport” of it. I’m completely disgusted with him and we have bitter arguments. His justification for killing deer is that they will starve over the cold winter and that he is thinning the population so more will survive. My argument is that nature will do […]

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  • Umbra on eco-friendly birth control

    Dear Umbra, I am wondering about the most environmentally safe form of birth control. From what I understand, women’s birth control pills put terrible amounts of hormones into the world’s waters and cause genetic mutations in fish. On the other hand, constantly using and discarding plastic condoms, including the packaging these come in, does not […]

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  • Umbra on Roundup

    Dear Umbra, I have a large, organic (hopefully) vegetable garden. However, I occasionally use Roundup around the edges to keep invasive grasses from creeping in. Now, I have been given to understand that Roundup is relatively safe and breaks down almost immediately. What are your thoughts on this subject? I totally trust your judgment. BetsyMichigan […]

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