Dear Eartha, I keep seeing solar panels pop up on all my neighbors’ roofs. How do I figure out if solar is a good option for my home? Seems like you got some smart neighbors! Solar panels capture energy from the sun and convert it into clean, green electricity. This is a benefit to the planet […]
Dear Eartha, my monthly utility bills have gone through the roof the past few months. I’m not doing anything dramatically different, so why are my bills so much higher? Is there anything I can do to bring that cost down? I’ve been hearing this question A LOT lately. Chilly weather and a near doubling in […]
Dear Eartha, headlines about the declining Colorado River, and extreme weather being a ‘new normal’ makes me wonder what difference it actually makes to change our lifestyles. Aren’t we all just doomed anyway? Believe me, it’s easy to feel helpless and unmoored when contemplating a future with less water and a growing number of billion-dollar weather […]
Dear Eartha, I love skiing and get outside almost every day during the winter. With that much shredding, I am noticing a lot of wear and tear on my skis and gear. I know it’s not great for the environment to replace equipment every year, and not only that, it can get expensive. How can I […]
Dear Eartha, I’m ready to take my holiday decorations down and don’t want to sacrifice a ski day in the process. What options do I have to easily recycle some of these items? New Year’s resolutions are coming in hotter than our warming climate, so now is the perfect time to add a last-minute resolution […]
Dear Eartha, Santa flies around the world in one night – wouldn’t that generate a pretty big carbon footprint? Just like Buddy the elf says, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is … talking about climate change! I might have taken a few liberties with that quote, but I promise I’m not about to […]
Dear Eartha, As I learn more about recycling guidelines, and what is or isn’t accepted, it seems like I can’t recycle anything in Summit County! What gives? I applaud you for digging into local guidelines. Recycling can indeed be complicated, and answering your question means looking beyond Summit County. Let’s follow the journey your recycling […]
Dear Eartha, I want a real Christmas tree but feel bad about cutting down a tree. As I learn the impact of fake trees, I wonder which is the better choice. To some, nothing is better than the sweet, piney smell of a fresh-cut tree with glimmering lights — LED, of course. For others, the […]
Dear Eartha, I collect my food scraps at home but the restaurant I work at doesn’t. I’d like to help them start composting. How do I start? High five for composting your food scraps! You’ve joined over 2,300 Summit County residents who all use High Country Conservation Center’s (HC3) free Food Scrap Program. Just this […]
Dear Eartha, I’d love to get solar panels on my house, but I live in the woods and my roof is shaded most of the day. Are there any other options? Rooftop solar sure is sexy, but there are a variety of reasons why it might not be a good fit for everyone. So, if you […]
Dear Eartha, As a parent, I am worried about the impact climate change will have on my kids’ futures. How can I encourage my kids to be environmental stewards without totally overwhelming them? Although it can be scary to consider what a warming world might look like, we should nevertheless educate and prepare our kids […]
