Have you ever heard the term "embodied energy?" It refers to energy that has already been spent to create something. Take a box of cereal as an everyday example. Embodied energy is everywhere Inside the box there's cereal. The embodied energy in the cereal contains everything from the sunlight and water (energy) that fed and made the grain grow, to the human laborer or machinery and fuel (or … [Read more...] about Capturing embodied energy
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Why women matter to the energy conversation
I can't think of any moms I know (and even those I don't) who would sprinkle a dose of poison on her kid's food. I can't think of any who would blow mercury particulates in her kid's face. Nor any who would wish for her child a lower standard of living in the future than she now enjoys. Who does? Moms are the super champions of kids, wanting only the best for her offspring. Your kid's future … [Read more...] about Why women matter to the energy conversation
Don’t greenwash me, Talenti
There's a saying that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Temptations Recently I fell in love with a new ice cream brand—actually, a gelato—called Talenti. These folks have churned out a small selection of the most delightful and imaginative flavors with a rich texture and perfect finish. Of their thirteen gelato flavors I've now tried five, which were each perfetto! My … [Read more...] about Don’t greenwash me, Talenti
Road trip
Summer's here and the livin' is easy. Well anyway, summer's almost here. And what that means for lots of folks are day and weekend trips to nearby haunts. If you're planning either a road trip or to get to your vacay destination by car, you're probably still looking at your overall expenses. Gas, tolls and pre-trip car maintenance are a given, leaving you with variables like lodging, food and … [Read more...] about Road trip
Always on hand
I've finally reconciled myself to the fact that I have a distinctly weepy side. The littlest things make me tear up, and just as often when I'm happy as when I'm sad. Adding to this liberal release of bodily fluids, I have recurrent bouts with allergies. Who's crying for the trees? All this could add up to the use of a lot of tissues, which would add up to the use of a lot of … [Read more...] about Always on hand
Refilling your cup
When I set out to write this piece I had no idea how distraught I would find myself in reaction to the research on disposable drink containers. It's amazing to me that in the span of less than a half century we've gone from almost everyone all the time using thermoses for on the go drinks to almost no one using one ever. At least here in the industrialized world. How did we get here? What boggles … [Read more...] about Refilling your cup
