Dear Eartha, I’m struggling to keep my grass growing, and I’m considering artificial turf for my kids and dog. Is this a good option? It seems like we’ve all seen artificial turf pop up on sports fields and neighbors’ lawns and thought: gee that seems like a great way to save some water and time […]
Dear Eartha, I love Earth Day. But it irks me when I see large fashion companies using this day of stewardship to sell cheap “Love Our Planet” t-shirts that require considerable amounts of energy and resources. What can I do? Your question calls to mind Thanksgiving: We state our gratitude on the holiday, but why […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve heard a lot about induction cooking, but can anything really be better than gas?What’s better than cooking with gas? How about breathing clean air? Americans, on average, spend 90% of their lives indoors. That may come as a surprise since so many Summit County folks don’t skew “average American” when it comes to […]
Dear Eartha, Party for the Planet sold out before I could get tickets. Who won the Green Scene Awards this year? While I’m sad to hear that you (and so many others) missed out on the 34th annual Party for the Planet, I was thrilled to see an outpouring of community support for the environment. The […]
Dear Eartha, I want to become more environmentally responsible, but making major life changes feels overwhelming. How can a busy person get more involved without adding additional stress to their life? I get it – life can be pretty darn stressful, and the thought of adding more to your to-do list can be daunting. Thankfully there are […]
Dear Eartha, I know I should recycle used batteries but it seems like extra work. Does it matter if I throw them in the trash? Batteries power an abundance of our daily lives, from television remotes to mobile devices. Most contain a number of chemicals and no matter the type — car battery, cell phone […]
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, 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’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 […]
