Climate Culture
All Stories
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Smoke Signals
Activists fighting against climate change could learn much from the tactics of anti-smoking campaigners, argues Audrey Schulman in our Soapbox section. The tobacco war has been fought on many fronts, but perhaps the most important was the concerted publicity campaign that changed the images people associate with smoking. It’s no longer romantic, no longer “cool.” […]
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Fake Is the New Real
In an effort to conserve water (and perhaps bolster Southern California’s reputation as a showcase for all things fake), the city of Anaheim, Calif., and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California are pilot-testing faux lawns. If water savings meet expectations, residents who replace real grass with fake greenery could soon be eligible for rebates […]
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State of the Art
One hundred years ago, progressives believed that states were laboratories of democracy, small-scale testing grounds for innovative policies. While the civil-rights struggle cast that view into disfavor, it may be on its way to a renaissance, led by forward-thinking state leaders concerned about the environment. Spurred by the federal government’s failure to tackle many environmental […]
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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 […]
