Dear Eartha, Last weekend in Breckenridge, I saw people playing music in the Blue River. I heard the performance had something to do with water conservation – do you know what was going on? It was such a delight to happen upon three incredible musicians performing right in the middle of Blue River last weekend. […]
Dear Eartha, I know wildfires are a normal part of our mountain ecosystem, but I can’t help but wonder if climate change is making fires worse. Is it? As I write these words, I am breathing a sigh of relief – for the first time in several days, I can clearly see the mountains outside […]
Dear Eartha, I want to be an educated shopper, but I don’t have time to read every label in the grocery store. How do I shop with the environment in mind without wasting time? It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the grocery store. With all the green jargon like, “natural” and “locally-sourced”, how do any of […]
Dear Eartha, during the COVID lock-down, I saw stories about clearer skies, cleaner waterways and our planet getting a break. How do we get back to normal without sacrificing these benefits? As the pandemic continues, we all have the natural desire for things to get “back to normal”. But, in our rush to recover and […]
Dear Eartha, I recently joined the Food Scrap Program and it made me realize how much food I’m wasting. Is it a big deal since my leftovers end up as compost? Nice work keeping your food scraps out of the landfill! For most people, it is normal to discard old leftovers or that expired cheese […]
Dear Eartha, my garden is growing like crazy this summer! I don’t think I will be able to eat all of my veggies. Is there something I can do with the extras? There is only so much fresh spinach one person can use and freeze! Now that you’ve realized you won’t be able to eat […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been hearing some rumblings about new construction codes in the county. As a local Realtor, what should I know about these updated codes? Will these changes improve the energy efficiency of new homes? With a new set of codes in effect across the community, sustainable construction has certainly taken a step forward. […]
Dear Eartha, I just learned it’s Plastic-free July. Between COVID guidelines and my takeout addiction, how can I reduce plastic use? As you’ve heard, Plastic-free July is a global movement inspiring people across the planet to ditch single-use plastics for the entire month. It’s a challenge to consider your daily habits and continue on […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve heard recently about the link between environmental issues and social justice. I don’t fully understand the connection, can you explain? If you’ve ever seen photos of a climate change rally, you might have noticed signs that say things like, “Climate justice is social justice,” or “Environmental justice for all.” Though the connections […]
Dear Eartha, I saw an ad in the paper advertising free home energy assessments. I’ve been thinking of signing up because my energy bills are so high. What can I expect from the process? As dedicated readers know, I’m all about conservation. And I especially love energy efficiency because it’s not only good for the […]
Dear Eartha, I try to avoid plastic when I go grocery shopping, but it seems practically impossible. What can I do? The grocery store can be stressful enough remembering COVID-19 precautions, dodging your chatty neighbor, and managing coupon expiration dates, not to mention reducing plastic waste. Right here in Summit County, for every 100 pounds […]
