Our last column considered the reusable cotton, paper, and durable plastic bags that shoppers typically substitute for single-use plastic bags. Unfortunately, and counter-intuitively, these reusable carriers are more damaging to the environment than single-use plastic bags, unless they are used an often-unrealistic number of times. Fortunately, sustainable alternatives exist. Ideally, forgo shopping bags altogether. If […]

In a superbly sustainable home, closed windows are a passive heating system, allowing winter sun to enter and trap heat inside. This is possible because incoming solar energy arrives mainly in ultraviolet and visible light wavelengths, while outgoing heat energy radiates in longer infrared wavelengths. About 76% of winter sun that reaches a standard double-pane […]

How quickly we use energy is one of our biggest impacts on our world. The slower we consume energy, the better. Measuring how slowly and wisely we use energy reveals how much progress we’ve made on the pathway to sustainable energy. But even before we know exactly how fast we’re consuming energy, we can be […]

In a trend accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, ordering food to-go has become increasingly typical of the American experience. A post-pandemic survey by US Foods found that a majority of Americans prefers ordering takeout to eating in a dining establishment. Since the packaging and ancillary items that accompany our orders often end up in the […]

In our last column, we talked about sustainable movement and the fact that bicycling is the most energy-efficient, human-powered means of transportation. But what if you want to go a longer distance with a little help? You might find an electric bicycle or e-bike even more fun. Small motors and batteries can easily be added […]

If you own a home, currently you face the usual autumn yardwork: collecting and disposing of leaves, sawing fallen tree limbs, trimming bushes, and so on. How to save time and — if using power tools — limit air and noise pollution? One option is to “leave the leaves,” which saves time, fertilizes the soil […]