Dear Eartha, Is it just me, or does it feel hotter this summer? Am I crazy for thinking about getting an air conditioner? As rapper Nelly presaged, “It’s getting hot in here.” And while he definitely wasn’t referring to heat building up in the atmosphere, he was right. It is getting hotter. And not just […]
Dear Eartha, I know that changes to the climate are real but they’re not really affecting my life. (I love this warmer weather!) What do I really have to lose? For many of us, we get up and go to work or school, talk with friends and family, and pursue our interests without feeling the […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve noticed that there is a new container at the drop-off centers for food and beverage cartons. How can I tell what is a recyclable carton? Do these cartons actually get recycled and what are they being used for? -Riley, Dillon Thanks for bringing your confusion to my attention. I’m delighted that locals can […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been having huge energy bills over the last few months. The strange thing is that I’ve had my heat off since mid-April. According to my energy bill, the majority of my costs are on the gas side, not electric. What is going on!? This very question pinged into my inbox around noon on […]
Dear Eartha, I camp – a lot – and I could certainly be better about what happens with my waste. Do you have any suggestions on how to make my camping excursions more environmentally friendly? Dispersed camping is free and popular in Summit County. Because of our rich mining history, the dozens of dirt roads that […]
Dear Eartha, Megadrought in the West headlines are all over my newsfeed. Can you break it down for me? As I sit here and read the same headlines about drought in the West, I am literally and figuratively sweating. Summer temperatures are already breaking records here in Colorado and while the headlines might be starting […]
Dear Eartha, My goal this year is to reduce my carbon footprint by driving less, but it’s not always easy. What tips do you have? The level of convenience that cars provide can deter us from considering other transportation options. If you have access to a personal vehicle your brain is probably on auto-pilot to […]
Dear Eartha, I recently bought compost from SCRAP for my flower beds. Is it safe to put in my herb garden, too? What’s the environmental benefit of using this instead of commercially bought compost? Double kudos to you – first for giving your flowers an added boost, and second for going local. The High Country Compost […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve heard that to avoid the scariest impacts of climate change, we humans need to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Are we doing enough to get there? What would it take to hit that target? As we emerge from the Covid reality of the past year, it’s worth reflecting on the world we’re […]
Dear Eartha, I’m over winter. I can’t wait to get out to hammer some dirt. Is it OK if I hit the trails even if they’re muddy? The short answer is no. As much as we are all itching to hike and mountain bike now that the snow is melting, trekking or pedaling on muddy trails […]
Dear Eartha, I did so many house and closet cleaning projects during lockdown, now I am overrun with paint, electronics, and clothing – I just don’t know what to do! Are these all trash? Isn’t there usually an annual recycling event I can take these items to? Finished home projects and cleaner closets always feel great! […]
