AP - Aviation groups in Europe announced a plan Tuesday to change the way commercial planes land in order to reduce their global-warming emissions of carbon dioxide.

Dear Umbra,

My girlfriend and I are having a bit of a disagreement. When she is in the kitchen she uses paper towels to wipe her nose. She then proceeds to put the used paper towel into the compost bin in the kitchen. I’m sure that the microbes and worms in the compost pile could care less, but when I empty the bin into the pile it is gross to have to remove the snot-filled paper towels from the container. She doesn’t understand why I find this to be gross. Thoughts?

Matt D.
State College, Penn.

Dearest Readers,

Spring has sprung, and I’ve been doing a little Spring Inbox Cleaning. There are a lot of letters that I haven’t known what to do with, stuffed in the back of the Inbox Closet (as it were). As I looked over these letters for the umpteenth time, I remembered: Just because I don’t know what to do with them doesn’t mean someone else — youse guys! — wouldn’t find them useful or fun. So here we are in our semi-annual review of questions strange and/or detailed, to which I have short answers. I did not make any of these questions up.

Firstly, Matt, I agree. It is gross to have to touch someone else’s used snot rags. It may even be grody and is certainly unhygienic. I see three options: You could man up and wear gloves. You could fashion an anti-snot-composting argument based on the prohibition against composting greasy substances. But I think regular old courtesy should suffice. If she wishes to compost her snot rags, she should maintain a separate container for her collection and take the composting of said collection on her own shoulders.

Aaron from D.C., you are not alone in puzzling over the Which Is Better Battle, pens vs. pencils episode. I have written about pencil stubs in the past (amazingly), but they, too, persist in bothering some of you. In your office supply cabinet, Aaron, first choose refillable pens and pencils. If you are forced to use a non-refillable writing implement, try not to lose it before it dies. Remove and chuck ferrules from old wooden pencil stubs, shred the stubs, and use them for pathway mulch (an Original Umbra Suggestion^TM). If you’d like more information, here is an older but still useful article from Green Seal all about writing implements — they didn’t put this issue into the back of the closet! It recommends eco-preferable pens, pencils, and papers.

To Walter in Illinois, who wants to know which brand/type of air freshener is best: Choose fresh air. It’s free, non-proprietary, readily available in most localities just through opening a window, and is rumored to have myriad health-giving properties. Commercial air fresheners, on the other hand, contain chemicals that do not tend to give health. For stubborn odors, cleaning with our old friend baking soda can also help.

We end today’s jumble sale with Katy from Austin and her concern about her fridge magnet collection’s contribution to planetary destruction. Katy, I am sad to report that those adorable flexy die-cut magnets in the shape of the U.S. states, etc., may in fact be faced with vinyl. As we know, vinyl is bad. You might have to curtail your collection of vinyl magnets, but that should only render future collecting more thrilling — doesn’t a harder chase make a sweeter victory?

More spring cleaning coming soon — stay tuned.

Magnetically,
Umbra

Related links:

• How to start composting
• Umbra on composting tainted food
• A nosy review of recycled facial tissue

Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama signed sweeping land and water conservation rules into law on Monday, setting aside millions of acres as protected areas and delighting environmentalists.

AP - The head of the Environmental Protection Agency wants to limit emissions along the nation’s coastline and within its seaports, just as the agency does along highways, with tougher pollution standards on large commercial ships.

Reuters - Organizers of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games said on Monday they are confident they can find sponsors to help with the estimated C$4.5 million ($3.6 million) cost of keeping the event from adding to global warming.

(Photo: Aptera Motors)

Driven an Aptera lately? No? Well, very few people actually have taken the wheel of that space-age, three-wheeled electric car, but a matched pair appeared in Manhattan this week and journalists were given a chance to bounce around in the potholes (check out this video of the Aptera).

The $25,000, two-seat Aptera 2E with lithium batteries has a 100-mile cruising range and a late 2009 delivery date. Nearly 4,000 people have signed up for the car, which will initially be available only in California. Series hybrid and 100-mpg gas versions will follow in 2010.

One of the most interesting things about the 2E is one with no obvious application right now. Among the screen views is one that reveals what the car can do if it’s connected to a “smart grid” that allows consumers to monitor their electrical consumption in real time — and even send it back into the wires, from solar panels or even electric cars.

The smart grid is a gleam in Barack Obama’s eye, but Xcel Energy and partners have made it a vivid reality as SmartGridCity in Boulder, Colorado. Some 35,000 customers are now connected, says Current Group CEO Tom Casey, whose company built the grid there and in Dallas, Texas.

Here’s how it would work: The Aptera takes 8 to 12 hours to recharge on 110 current, so when the car is plugged in at night you can set it to interact with the local utility — recharging just between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., for example. Pushing buttons, you can also select a “threshold” of, say, 50% of charge. That enables the utility, in times of peak load, to access the electricity in your batteries and then recharge them later.

“The ‘vehicle-to-grid,’ or V2G, technology is for the future,” says Aptera CEO Paul Wilbur. “But a lot of people in Washington are talking about it. The point is that our generating system doesn’t store electricity well. Nuclear power plants, for instance, are steady state, which means they run around the clock to meet peak demand so a lot of electricity produced at night is just thrown away.”

According to the University of Delaware’s Center for Carbon-Free Power Integration, cars pack a lot of power. One typical electric-drive vehicle can put out more than 10 kilowatts, the average draw of 10 houses. Delaware’s Willet Kempton is a pioneer of V2G and has converted a Scion to an “EBox” that can give power back to the grid (see video below).

The Current Group’s Casey points out that if America suddenly became a nation of Aptera owners, all of them returning home at 5:30 and plugging their cars in, “It would create a huge spike in the grid. So you need a smart grid to recognize that a car is plugged in and it can be recharged, say, at 3 a.m. instead of 5:30 p.m. What Aptera is doing is a major development for tomorrow’s smart grid.” Casey estimated it will take 5 to 10 years to wire all of America into intelligent grids.

The Discovery Channel dug up 10 electric car-related grid projects.

V2G is one aspect of a holistic system that might soon allow homeowners to monitor their electric consumption from their computers. Both Google.org and the Current Group are working on such applications. Google.org’s PowerMeter, coming soon, “will show consumers their electricity consumption in near real-time in a secure iGoogle Gadget.”

More from The Daily Green

• The Most Fuel-Efficient 2009 Cars and SUVs
• 16 Stylish Electric Bikes for Cheap Commuting
• The X Prize: Which Car Will Get 100 MPG?
• How to Pay 50 Cents per Gallon (or Less) for Gas
• 10 Tips to Save You 20% on Gas Every Day

When you live in Australia, droughts are very real, and water conservation is a part of life. One Australian recently came up with a household invention to help reduce the amount of water being used in the shower. The device, called the Aqualim (presumably the “lim” refers to “elimination” of water waste, or possibly “limit”), rations out a certain quantity of water per shower. After the quantity is used, the shower reduces its flow as a warning and soon afterwards shuts off.

Thus, if you say to yourself, “I want to get my water usage under X gallons”, the Aqualim makes it extremely easy to do so without constantly worrying if you’ve gone over. Of course — as is the case with many self-control devices — if you’re the kind of person who’s sensitive enough to buy an Aqualim, you are probably more water-conscious than most people already. Also, there is a reset button; if you really want a longer shower you can just hit it.

But the device does address the tendency people have to linger in the shower after they’ve already washed up. Even someone who truly does not want to waste water might lose track of time, or simply not shut off the shower because hey, it feels nice in here and it’s pretty early in the morning.

That’s why I’m going to vote in favor of this device. Think of it as an alarm clock for the shower. If we had to rely on our own will power to wake up in the morning, we’d all be late for work (bloggers excluded). Plus, the Aqualim could work synergistically with a low-flow showerhead to reduce water usage even further.

Via Inhabitat

Thinking about switching to greener cleaners, but wondering if they really work? You’re not alone. That’s a question I’m asked all the time.

My answer: Yes, there are affordable products on the market that work well and are widely available. 

Besides, it’s worth it to try out alternatives when you consider the potential harm conventional cleaners can pose on your health and the planet’s.

The “pure clean” smell you’ve grown used to is really just toxic synthetic chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine. In fact, conventional cleaning products can contain some of the most hazardous ingredients we’re exposed to on a daily basis.

And did you know that disinfectants are classified as pesticides? The truth is, most of us don’t need our homes to be completely disinfected. Besides, it’s virtually impossible to keep any surface completely germ-free for very long anyway.

Willing to give alternative cleaners a try? Here are some tips for finding products that are doing more than just making persuasive marketing claims:

• Look for products that list all their ingredients. Ecover, Seventh Generation, and Trader Joe’s say they do. And, SCJohnson just announced plans to do the same.
• Specific claims such as “phosphate-free” or “chlorine-free” are more meaningful than general claims such as “natural” and “organic.
• Seek out products that have been certified by a credible third party such as Cradle to Cradle, the EPA’s Design for the Environment Program, or Green Seal.

Or try some of the following alternatives. They’re affordable and work well. Of course, the absolute greenest and least expensive cleaners are ones that you already have in your pantry.

All Purpose

• Bon Ami Polishing Cleaner
• Seventh Generation Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
• Clorox Green Works Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
• Method Surface Cleaner, Go Naked

Glass Cleaners

• Clorox Green Works Glass Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner
• Seventh Generation Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner

Bathroom

• Seventh Generation Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Mrs.Meyer’s Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Kitchen

• Trader Joe’s Auto Dish Soap
• Ecover Ecological Dishwashing Tablets
• Method Dish Soap Liquid
• Seventh Generation Natural Liquid Dish Soap, Free and Clear

Laundry

• Method Laundry Detergent, High Efficiency
• Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent
• Seventh Generation Ultra Concentrated Natural Laundry Detergent Powder
• EcoverEcological Stain Remover

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green’s users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.

Want to live a more environmentally friendly life, but don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas to help you take the first step. These simple suggestions don’t require any extra time or cash. In fact, you’ll probably end up saving money.

The tips below are adapted from Green, Greener, Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-Smart Choices a Part of Your Life, which illustrates the whole spectrum of green options because we’re not all starting from the same place.

• Food: Eating less meat and dairy is good for your health, your budget, and the planet (raising livestock is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gases). Cutting back even a little bit helps. Some ideas to get you started: Limit the amount of meat on your plate and fill up with grains and veggies, avoid meat for one meal each day, or make one day a week meatless.
• Food prep and storage: Don’t microwave food in plastic containers because chemicals are more likely to leach out when they are heated.
• Personal care: Say no to antibacterial soaps. Not only are they completely unnecessary, but they may also do more harm than good by contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Children: Use glass baby bottles or choose safer plastics without estrogen-mimicking bisphenol A (BPA). For older children, choose stainless-steel sippy cups. They are more expensive, but will last a lot longer than their plastic counterparts so you’ll have to buy fewer.
• Cleaning: Using old towels and T-shirts instead of disposable wipes and paper towels will cut down on waste and save you money. Plus, cloth is softer, so it’s better for cleaning delicate items.
• Save energy: Turn out the lights when you leave a room, activate the power-down setting on your computer, and reduce standby power consumption by unplugging electronics you aren’t using. Or try plugging electronics into a power strip and turning it off when you go to sleep or leave for long periods of time.
• Save water: Turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth. You’ll save up to 8 gallons of water a day or 2,880 gallons a year. If everyone in the U.S. did this, we’d save 875 billion gallons of water a year.
• Home improvement: Use caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping to stop heated or cooled air from leaking out of your home. Installing door sweeps is another easy and inexpensive way to keep your house from leaking cash.
• Garden: Water grass in the cool of the morning to avoid evaporation, make sure sprinklers are watering your plants and not the pavement, and check hoses for leaks.
• Transportation: Stop idling. Maximize fuel efficiency in your car by driving the speed limit, rolling up windows when you’re on the highway, and taking good care of your car.

Ready to do more? Check out these greener and greenest suggestions. 

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green’s users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.

You’ve stopped idling your car and never leave a room without switching off the lights. Where do you go next? Check out these suggestions for those who want to live a little greener and have the time, interest, or in some cases, budget, to do some more.

The following tips were adapted from Green, Greener, Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-Smart Choices a Part of YourLife, which illustrates the whole spectrum of green choices that you make.

• Food: Eat foods that are in season and don’t have to travel long distances to reach your table. If your budget allows for some organic purchases, then prioritize by spending your money on organic versions of the dirty dozen — fruits and vegetables such as peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, and nectarines, that tend to have the most pesticide residues. Onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, and others on the clean 15 list are not as crucial since conventional versions don’t have as many pesticides.
• Food prep and storage: Avoid plastic containers when possible. Use glass and stainless steel to store your leftovers in.
• Personal care: Avoid petroleum byproducts, fragrances, and other unsafe chemicals whenever possible. Visit Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database to see how healthy your cosmetics are and to find alternatives when necessary.
• Children: Choose toys made without toxic chemicals. The easiest way to find them is to search Good Guide’s extensive database.
• Cleaning: Simply cutting down on the number of cleaning products you use will save money and limit the number of toxic chemicals you’re exposed to. Drain, oven, and acid-based toilet cleaners are among the most toxic in your home so try eliminating them first.
• Save energy: Save money, energy, and time by installing a programmable thermostat and programming it properly. Want to do a little more? You can support renewable energy by signing up for a green power plan with your local utility. You’ll spend a little more money on your electric bill each month, but it’s much less expensive than installing solar panels.
• Save water: Buying low-flow showerheads and faucets will not only save water, but also the energy it takes to heat water.
• Home improvement: Adding insulation to your home will cost money up front, but you’ll save on heating and cooling bills. Skeptical? Start out by insulating your attic for about $116 a year savings on energy bills.
• Garden: Avoid using synthetic pesticides and other poisons. Some suggestions: Use mulch to prevent weeds, and weed by hand instead or relying on chemicals. Also use compost instead of fertilizer to feed your soil.
• Transportation: Drive less often. Try carpooling to work or taking public transportation once or twice a week. Run weekend errands on your bike or by foot. If you need to drive, then bundle all your errands together so you take fewer trips in your car.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green’s users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.