Articles
Think
No butts about it: Your cigarettes kill everything
Dear Umbra, I’m a full-time environmental activist living on an anti-aviation protest camp. When I first came here, I was shocked by the number of environmentalists who smoke tobac …
Style
Ask Umbra: Can an eco-babe feel good about getting flowers?
Dear Umbra, My sweetie usually gives me flowers for special occasions, like holidays and my birthday. But it just occurred to me that I don’t know much about how sustainable cut fl …
Home
Ask Umbra: Is your front-loading washer smelly or moldy? Here’s how to fix that.
Q. Dear Umbra, I have had issues with odor from my front-loading washing machine, even though I almost always take the clothing out soon after washing and leave the door open. I ha …
DIY, Live, Nature
Ask Umbra: Is synthetic yarn for the birds?
Q. Dear Umbra, I’ve been saving my yarn scraps all year to put out for the birds while they’re building their nests, but I’m wondering about synthetics, like acrylic. Most of my kn …
Pets
Ask Umbra: Dog-gonnit
Dear Umbra, With the cold weather coming on fast, I am curious if I’m losing too much heat from my house due to the doggie door in my laundry room. I like that my two large dogs ca …
Home
Ask Umbra: Here’s something that could make recycling a lot easier
Q. Dear Umbra, I cannot find the be-all, end-all guidance as to what kinds of plastic bags and plastic films can be recycled. Merchant bags for sure, but what about all that other …
Home
Ask Umbra: Is it terrible to crack open a window during winter nights?
Q. Dear Umbra, I have a window in the bedroom that I like to keep open about an inch, year-round, at night only. This window is across the room, down the hall, past a stairwell, an …
Beverages, Environmental Politics
Ask Umbra: What’s the Greenest Kind of Drink Container?
Q.Dear Umbra, My peers and I are working to better our campus. We’re looking into the most sustainable option for drinks on campus. What’s better for our school to buy and sell: gl …
Ask Umbra: What’s the Most Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Cycle
Q. Dear Umbra, With regards to dishwasher cycle times vs. power and water usage, is it better to run the normal cycle (1:43 to 2 hours) that uses less water but more power, or the …
Ask Umbra: Your Guide to Buying Non-Toxic, Kid-Friendly Toys
When we think about problematic playthings, plastic is usually on the top of the list. It carries the lion’s share of chemical concerns, and besides, it’s made from petroleum and c …
Ask Umbra: What’s a Greener Way to Heat My Home?
Q. Dear Umbra, I want to replace my aging gas furnace with a heat pump. But the heat pump is much more expensive than a high-efficiency gas furnace, and I’m only gonna spend the mo …
Ask Umbra: What’s the Greenest Kind of Christmas Tree?
Q. Dear Umbra, I’m visiting my sister out West soon, and she suggested we go cut down a Christmas tree in the woods. This sounds like a terrible idea to me. Isn’t cutting down a pe …
Ask Umbra: Are Coconut Products Bad for the Environment?
Q. Dear Umbra, My wife and I have started using coconut oil a lot. I know demand for palm oil is proving horrible for the tropical forests of the world, and was wondering if the sa …
Social Justice, Think
Ask Umbra: The big bank theory
Is your bank funding the Dakota Access Pipeline? Here’s how to find a new bank. I’ve been looking to switch banks for some time and the recent events in North Dakota have made my d …
What type of plane is least bad for the planet?
Q. Dear Umbra, Does it matter if I fly a turboprop, jet, or Boeing 787 over the ocean? Will Seattle, WA This story originally appeared on Grist. A. Dearest Will, Oh — it matters, v …
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Words have a way of romanticizing things, especially when they're written in mesmerizing cursive. Dennis Hinkamp gets personal in this month's #slightlyoffcenter
Dressing our flaws in beautiful penmanship | Catalyst Magazine
catalystmagazine.net
I have always taken for granted that I can transfer things from my brain box down through my fingers, onto a keyboard and off onto some electronic...