Dear Eartha, I love holiday lights, but I’m trying to be more mindful about my household’s energy use. Is there a way to celebrate with plenty of sparkle while still keeping my electricity consumption in check? ’Tis the season for twinkling lights, festive wreaths, and cozy nights by the fire. But if you leave holiday […]
Dear Eartha, Can someone please explain to me the difference between the landfill and “the SCRAP”? I’ve heard both terms used to describe the same place, but aren’t they different? I can understand your confusion as these words are often used interchangeably. The fact is, the landfill and “the SCRAP” are the same place. SCRAP stands for Summit County Resource Allocation Park. As the name implies, much more goes on there than […]
Dear Eartha, I really wanted to attend the water conservation talks this summer, but I was too busy soaking up the long days! How can I get caught up on what I missed? Don’t fret! I attended each Water in the West (WITW) event and prepared a summary for summer senders like yourself. As a refresher, WITW is a monthly speaker series covering water topics relevant to the American West. High Country Conservation Center, in partnership with Blue River Watershed Group and Friends of […]
Dear Eartha, It seems like a lot of progress on climate change has been undone this year. Are we going backwards on environmental action?It’s a fair question. This year saw an abrupt end to tax credits for electric cars, renewable energy projects, and home energy efficiency improvements. The U.S. Department of Energy canceled nearly $6 billion […]
Dear Eartha, Halloween is my favorite holiday, but I can’t help wondering how all those costumes, decorations, and (let’s be honest) mushy pumpkins add up in the waste department. What’s the best way to celebrate spooky season without scaring the planet? I’m right there with you — nothing says October like crisp air, haunted houses, and glowing jack-o’-lanterns. But between single-use costumes, plastic decor, […]
Dear Eartha, what determines how much we pay for electricity and natural gas in our homes?Locally and nationally, there’s been a lot of talk about energy affordability lately. But what actually goes into our energy bills, and how much control do we have over what we’re paying? Take a few minutes to study your bill, […]
Dear Eartha, I have noticed that a lot of local businesses and folks in the community are working hard to make the county more environmentally friendly. Do their actions get formally recognized? It is great to hear that you have noticed impactful environmental efforts in Summit County. We are lucky to live in a place where […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve got a new baby at home, and wow, he generates a lot of waste! I try to be as eco-friendly as possible, but how can I stick to my sustainable lifestyle without compromising my baby’s health and safety?First off, congratulations on your new addition! Babies are amazing, but they sure know how […]
Dear Eartha, I keep hearing about home energy assessments. What are they, and should I get one for my home?As a kid, I used to point to my younger sister when my dad would ask, “Who turned up the heat?” Now, as an adult, I totally get where my dad was coming from, because I’m […]
Dear Eartha, my New Year’s resolution for 2025 is to use less plastic at home, but it seems really overwhelming. How can I get started without stressing myself out?What a wonderful resolution! The good news is that there are tons of sustainable swaps you can make at home. From the kitchen to the bathroom and […]
Dear Eartha, how does climate change impact Santa’s holiday operations?If you haven’t heard, things aren’t looking so cool in Santa’s part of the world. In fact, the North Pole and the whole Arctic region is heating up – fast. For decades, scientists have understood that climate change is warming Earth’s icy north faster than the […]
