Going Green 6-06-10

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Outdoor classroom

Summer fun can include learningabout the environment and theimpact we make with our choices

Just a grillin

Make your backyardbarbecue or picnic in

the park a little greener

Long, hot summer

Stay cool and easy, wetand wise with simple

changes that add up

The road less traveled

You can be a responsible eco-touristwithout sacrificing all the comforts

Choose yoursunscreen wisely

Outdoor furnituretrending green

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!Going Green is a special online publication ofThe Commercial Appeal. We welcome your commentsand suggestions. Follow Going Green on Twitter at

w w w .t w i t t e r .co m /G o G r e e n M e m p h i s .

Ed i t o r : Kim Coleman, 529-5243,goi n gg r e e n@co m m e rci a la pp ea l .com

Whats in this issue ...

6

10 14

16

17 21

12

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The Commercial Appeal Su n d ay , June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 3

The Green Page

Up d a t esMississippi officials said last week that

$482,217 is still available for rebates on thepurchase of energy-efficient appliances.

The state received $2.8 million for therebates under the federal stimulus package,and 80 percent of the money has beenr es e r v e d

The State Energy Efficient ApplianceRebate Program is designed to spureconomic activity and reduce energyconsumption. The first-come, first-servedrebates range from $50 to $750, dependingon the appliance.

Rebates are not available for online sales.To check the status of the program go to

m i s s i s s i p p i r e ba t e.co m .Rebates for Tennessee are tentatively

scheduled to begin in late June. They will beoffered for a limited time only and will endwhen funds run out.

For updates on Tennesee, visittnecd.gov/recovery/energystar.html or call(615) 741-2994 or (800) 342-1340.

In brief

Arkansas gets

grant to train forgreen j o bsLITTLE ROCK The U.S.

Department of Labor hasawarded a $4.8 milliongrant to the ArkansasDepartment of WorkforceServices to develop aprogram that will providetraining for green jobs .

Officials announced theArkansas Energy SectorPartnership grant is fundedwith money from theAmerican Recovery andReinvestment Act and willprovide training in energy-efficient building,construction andretrofitting; renewableelectric power and energy

efficiency assessment.Officials say 2,800Arkansans will be recruited,including disadvantagedand dislocated workers andindividuals living in auto-impacted counties.

The Arkansas EnergySector Partnership wasestablished to develop andimplement the program.

Curriculum and programswill be developed by two-year colleges and the sevenapprenticeship programs totrain participants forcareers in the threetargeted industries.

Associated Press

Mississippi and Tennessee received fundingfrom the federal stimulus program to offerrebates to residents who purchase newenergy-efficient appliances.

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Its summertime ...

Steppin lightFind local activities with

low environmental impacts,like a trip to the local park,woods, zoo or ball game, orgo down by the river with

friends to relax. Time spentwith friends and family canbe a great way to catch upand have fun. Picking up abook from your local libraryand catching up on your

reading while lounging on thedeck is another great way topass the time and leave a

smaller footprint behind.

Mentor a young(e c o ) e n t r e p r e n e u r :

When it comes tospending time with yourchildren or grandchildrenthis summer, it doesnt needto cost a ton of money, and

they could learn a thing ortwo about their planet andthe impact our lives have onit. Help the kids start abusiness of their own thissummer (extra points if its agreen business). Choosesomething thats enjoyablefor everybody and that youcan work on together, like

growing a garden and sellingthe produce at a roadsidestand, or having yard sales,or starting a pet walking orsitting business. On Page 6,Stacey Greenberg exploresplaces in Memphis wherekids can have summer fun

IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SUMMER will be

another hot one. Here are some ways to save

money and help the planet in the good oldsummertime.

and the living can be easy on yourpocketbook, as well as the planet.

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The Commercial Appeal S u n d ay , June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 5

and learn about theenvironment as well.

Cool and easyU.S. homeowners spend

more than $15 billion a yearon the electricity their airconditioners suck up. A do-it-yourself energy audit willgive you a plan of attack forlowering your AC costs whilemaking the planet a coolerplace at the same time. SeePage 10 for a list of tips onhow to keep cool and save.

Wet and wiseWater usage levels are a

big deal throughout much ofthe U.S. and a summerdrought can really makethings tough. Be certain towatch how much you use,water plants only when

necessary, and take a fewminutes to install a low-flowshowerhead. We give yousimple steps on Page 12 thatcan make a big difference.

Greening up the grillLove to barbecue?

Propane burns much cleanerthan either wood or charcoal

briquettes. If you cant resistcharcoal, try a naturalproduct like those producedby Cowboy Charcoal muchcleaner than your traditionalbriquettes. Of course, whenyoure done grilling, usenatural cleaning products

such as SoyClean organicgrill cleaner to keep yoursummer as chemical-free aspossible. On Page 14, wegive you the low-down ongrillin green.

The local roundupBuy food locally. Farmers

markets are great places toshop, and ensure that theveggies youre eating hot offthe grill or mixed in a saladh av e n t traveled thousandsof miles just to reach your

plate. That cuts down on theuse of fossil fuels, whichleads to significantly reducedlevels of pollution andresource depletion over yourtypical tomato bought at thelocal supermarket. Check outcom m er c i al a p pea l.co m/n ew s / 20 10 /a p r / 2 9 /fa r m e r s -markets/ for marketscurrently operating in thea rea .

Green plate specialUse reusable dishes rather

than plastics or Styrofoam. Ifyou absolutely must usedisposables, make sure topick up compostable

varieties beforehand to putin the compost bin whenyoure through.

Greenie bikiniYou dont have to go so far

as wearing a biodegradableor solar bikini to make your

summer accoutrementsmore sustainable. Look foreco-friendly products likeclothing, swimsuits, sandals,towels and skin care. Each ofthem is a step in the rightdirection, and you might justfall in love with a product orstyle you never knew existed.

No poison, please

Remember those carefreedays of running alongsidethe DDT truck as it sprayed

the happy townspeople andiced all the bugs? Well, werea little smarter now, socheck out Page 19 on how tokeep those pests undercontrol without turning yourbackyard into a deathtrap.

The greener road

Have to travel longdistances to arrive at yourdream destination thissummer? Consider making itby road or rail rather than byplane, but be sure to offsetyour carbon emissions nomatter what mode oftransportation you choose.Or think about a staycation.

Whatever you decide to docheck out Page 16 for tipson greener travel.

Compiled fromthedailygreen .com ,treehugger.com and TheAssociated Press.

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Summer learningKeep the kids busy with these fun, educational activities

Stacey Greenberg / st a ce y@ fe r t i l e g ro u n d z i n e . co m

SC H O O L S OUT for the summer, but that doesnt mean the learning

needs to stop.

Take advantage of the many opportunities around town to learn about

the environment and the animals who depend on it to survive. Here are a

few ideas to get you started:

Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal files

Mary Banks Hickman (left) and Mary Fite play in the artificial brook atthe Botanic Garden's My Big Backyard.

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Memphis Botanic Garden

Memphis Botanic Garden is abeautiful place to smell the roses in theRose Garden, feed the koi in theJapanese Garden and learn all about the

beautiful things growing outdoors. Thenew My Big Backyard exhibit wasdesigned just for kids to learn and havefun at the same time and is an absolutemust-see. Highlights include:

Treetop Adventure: A windingaccessible ramp takes kids through themagnolia canopy to the treetopbirdhouse where they can be in thet re e s without actually being in the

t re e s and learn about backyard birdsand other tree-dwelling creatures.

Wo r m v i l l e : Live life as a worm, whereeverything is from a worms-eye view.

Raindrop Stop: Where thunder rollsand unexpected showers bring onspontaneous fun.

Pond Out Back: A perfect pondwhere real frogs, fish and birds play, and

children explore.Conifer Corner: Oversized conifersand a spectacular blue cedar tree createa natural world where wild things grow,and hide and seek is the favoritepastime.

Welcome Wildlife: All the ideaschildren need to lure wildlife back totheir own backyards butterf lygardens, birdhouses and even lessonsfor the benefit of bees.

Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Rd.,636-4106, memphisbotanicgarden .com .

The Childrens Museumof Memphis

The Childrens Museum of Memphis(CMOM) has several exhibits both

permanent and traveling to helpintroduce kids to environmental issues.Catch Harrys Big Adventure: My BugWo rl d ! before it closes on June 13. (Itmay be extended.) The exhibit allowskids to get up close and personal with

insects in eight interactive moduleswith 20 hands-on activities.

Additionally, two separate honeybeecolonies live in hives outside theWaterWORKS! windows for safeobservation. Each hive has glass wa l l sturned toward the window to allowvisitors to see inside the world of thehoneybee. Fun, hands-on bee activities

include an indoor hive to take apart,beekeeper suits to try on, books,educational cards and bees in acrylic tostudy up close. A Honeybee Facts signallows children to learn about thisfascinating insect.

The permanent Tree House ex h i b i tpromotes saving natural resources andconservation through everyday living. Itengages visitors in the life cycle of a

tree and the important role that a treeplays in the Earths ecologicalenvironment. It also touches onecosystems, sustainability and treep ro d u c t s .

Finally, CMOM has two really cooltraveling learning labs. One is calledPollution Detectives and concentrateson water pollution (there is even an

activity where children pollute waterwith oil!), and one that focuses onenergy conservation called Energy IQ.They have all lesson plans and materialsto cover a week-long curriculum unit forparents and teachers, and are wonderfulre s o u rc e s .

The Childrens Museum of Memphis, 2525Central, 458-2678, cmom .com .

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The Lichterman Nature CenterThe Lichterman Nature Center is

offering a special Animals Alive!program for groups of 15 or more

Tuesday-Friday through Sept. 1 andon Saturday year-round. This will allowyou and the kids to meet some animalsthat call the Mid-South and yourbackyard home. Learn how they surviveand why they are important to the Mid-S ouths ecosystems. Families can alsowatch the Backyard Wildlife Centeranimal keepers feed the animals at noon

Tuesday through Friday.And to get the full experience of

Lichtermans spectacular natural setting,check out a Family Discovery Backpack.It contains tools, guides and activitycards to help you enjoy your visit to thenature center. The Backyard WildlifeCenter features live animals, hands-onexplorations, microscopic discoveries, aforest boardwalk three stories high, andan underwater viewing area.

Lichterman Nature Center, 5992 Quince

Road, 767-7322, m e m p his m u se u m s . o r g.

Meeman-Shelby Forest StatePa r k

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park isone of Memphis greatest naturalre s o u rc e s .

From Memorial Day through LaborDay, the Nature Center hours are

Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Yo ucan enjoy live animal exhibits andprograms, hands-on learning tables andc ra f t s . There are guided hikes everySaturday at 10 a.m. Meet at the VisitorCenter for a 1.5-mile hike on theWoodland Trail, while a naturalist givesinformation on native flora and fauna,natural history, conservation and more.

There are even guided pontoon boattrips on Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m.and 1 p.m.; Saturday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m.and 5 p.m.; and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2p.m. Enjoy a relaxing 45-minute trip

around Poplar Tree Lake, a serenesetting with sights of various wildlifeand flora. The cost is $1 per person. Toreserve a spot on a hike or a pontoonboat, make reservations at the VisitorCenter or call 876-5215.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, 910Riddick Road, Millington, 876-5215,tennessee.gov/environment/parks/MeemanS helby.

Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal files

"Grandma Willow," a talking willowtree, is part of the Tree House exhibitat the Childrens Museum. Promoting

saving natural resources andconservation through everyday livingis the focus of this exhibit.

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About 63 percent ...

of the backyard barbecues in theU.S. are fired up with briquettes, butusing them to cook up a standardhamburger results in 105 times morecarbon monoxide than if you cookedit on a propane grill. Briquettes alsogive off harmful Volatile OrganicCompounds (VOCs) when lit, andt h ey re something we can all breatheeasier without.

More than 70 percent ...of the Earths surface is covered bywater, but less than 1 percent of it isdrinkable. With much of that dryingup through desertification orbecoming too contaminated forconsumption, its clear thatrethinking water-use habits is animportant part of greening the future.

20,462 tons ...

is the amount of CO2,according toTe r r a p a s s ,that a familyof four headingfrom New York

City to LosAngeles in theirga s - g u z z l i n g2007 FordExplorer (4WD)would save over thatsame trip by air. Theymay not be sane whenthey get there, but

t h ey ll certainly have done their partto help cool the planet!

67 percent ...of Americans, a recent surveyshowed, stress the importance ofeco-friendly travel, and 65 percentstate that it would somewhat impacttheir decision to stay at a hotel ifthey knew it was using solar or windenergy. In the same survey, 63percent of respondents said they

would pay a little more to rent ahybrid vehicle or stay at a greenhotel, and 52 percent said theyd bewilling to donate a small portion oftheir vacation budget to protectingthe environment when booking a trip.

1,500 to 2,500 miles ...

is the distance the ingredients forthe average mealtypically travel, which is

a 25 percent increasefrom 1980.

Ultimately, theaverage mealtoday uses upto 17 timesmore

petroleumproducts and

carbon dioxideemissions than an

entirely local meal.

Sources: TreeHugger,Lenntech, PR Newswire,

Worldwatch Institute

A Green Summer: By the Numbers

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SUMMER IS APPROACHING, which likely means

higher electric bills as people turn on fans and air

conditioners to help keep cool. Demand for electricity can

also increase if you have house guests or children home

for the summer. The following suggestions can help you

plan ahead and control energy costs:

Ways to keep cool and

cut summer energy costs

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The Commercial Appeal Sun d ay, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 11

Have a professional, reputablecontractor clean and inspect your airconditioner. This should be done everyyear, whether you have window orcentral units.

The outside portion of a central air

conditioner is the condensing unit.Keep it clear from dried mud, debrisand grass clippings, because it needs tobreathe. Ask the contractor forinstructions on how to do it yourself.Check it periodically, especially after anintense rain. Mud can splatter onto theunit and block the air after it dries.

Check your air conditioners filter

every time you receive your utility bill.Look for a dust buildup that can restrictthe airflow and place stress on thesystem. It is best to keep several filterson hand.

Use ceiling fans in the counter-clockwise direction to create a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler.Also, whole-house fans that bring incooler night-time air can pre-cool a

house and reduce energy use in thedaytime if heat is kept out by closingwindows and shades.

Install a programmable thermostat.If health conditions permit, raise thesetting from 73 to 78 degrees. You cansave 3 percent to 5 percent on your airconditioning costs for each degree youraise the thermostat.

Do not set your thermostat at acolder setting than normal when youfirst turn on your air conditioner. It willnot cool your home any faster and couldresult in excessive cooling and,therefore, unnecessary expense.

Close doors leading to uncooledparts of your home. If you have centralair conditioning, close off vents to

unused rooms.Plant shade trees close to the house

on the south and west sides.Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-

conditioning units but not to block theairflow. A unit operating in the shadeuses up to 10 percent less electricitythan the same one operating in the sun.

Shade windows on the sunny sideof your home. Keep drapes closed oradd room-darkening shades to block outthe heat from the sun.

Seal holes and cracks around doorsand windows. Eliminate air leaksbetween window air conditioners and

windows with foam insulation orwe at h e r- s t r i p p i n g.Switch to compact fluorescent light

bulbs (CFLs), which use 75 percent lesselectricity and burn more coolly thanincandescent bulbs. Keep in mind thatCFLs are especially handy in hard-to-reach fixtures and wont need to bereplaced for about five years.

Delay heat-producing tasks such as

laundry until later in the day. Wash fullloads, using cold water wheneverpossible.

Run the dishwasher at night, usingthe shortest cycle that will get thedishes clean. If manufacturersdirections permit, turn the dishwasheroff before the dry cycle, or use the airdry feature if your machine has one.

Take short, cool showers. They useless hot water than a bath.Replace old appliances with new

energy-efficient Energy Star appliances.Refrigerators that are only 10 years oldcan use twice as much electricity asnew Energy Star labeled models.

Compiled from MLGW.com and TheAssociated Press.

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With drought being declared in moreand more places each summer, the issueof water conservation is especiallypressing. Reducing strain on overtaxed

water supplies and coping with waterrestrictions are beginning to look likeannual problems.

The EPA describes a two-pronged ap-proach to conserving water, comprisedof both engineering changes and be-havioral changes. Most people are awareof turning off the faucet, just like turn-ing out the light. Engineering changes,

which alter the plumbing or fixtures ofthe house, have a higher initial over-head, making them a little slower to beadopted, but can make a significant dif-

ference to a homes overall water use.Inside the home, there are not onlylow-flow showerheads (which oftenhave pause buttons on the water flow,allowing the water to be stopped for afew moments without altering the tem-perature settings), but also much-im-proved low-flow toilets, and even low-flow faucets, which are reported to re-

Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal files

In some parts of the country, water restriction is a common summer issuebecause of drought and sweltering heat, but there are simple steps you cantake to reduce water consumption on your own.

Long, hot summer: Water matters

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duce water consumption and the cost ofheating water by as much as 50 percent.Sure, you knew about all those things.But do they really make a difference?

According to the University of Min-nesota Extension Service, a typical

household of four uses 260 gallons ofwater every day, with 40 percent of thatbeing used for toilets and another 35percent on showers, baths, and faucets a total of three-quarters of a house-holds water usage going directly downthe drain. Spending about $30 on low-flow showerheads and faucets is esti-mated to save 45 gallons of that 260

gallons of water, almost 18 percent ofyour usage. Splurging on a low-flow toi-let could save another 50 to 80 gallonsof water a day. Together, those changesnearly cut in half the households dailyuse, saving a considerable amount ofwater and passing that savings on toyour water bill.

Outside the home, water barrels cankeep your lawn and garden green even if

yo u re in an area affected by water re-striction. This is a simple, old-fashionedsolution thats been keeping gardens wa-tered for centuries, and its making acomeback. If youre more ambitious, orhave a greater area to water, the EPAsuggests gray water reuse. (Gray wateris the waste water from benign house-hold sources, such as sinks, tubs andwashing machines.) Rain water and graywater arent just good for gardens. Put itin a bucket, or use your rain barrel hose,and wash your car, your porch,or yourhouse, instead of using potable water todo the same job. Your municipal watersupply will be grateful, especially duringdrought .

Treehug ger.com

Conserve water around yourhome with simple changes

Running a tap can waste two gallonsper minute and increase your water bill.

Keep a supply of drinking water in

the refrigerator instead of letting thefaucet run until cool enough to drink.Fill a drinking glass with enough

water to brush your teeth instead ofcontinuously running the faucet.

Plug the sink to capture enoughwater for your shave instead ofcontinuously running the water.

Recycle instead of wasting it down adrain by watering your plants from a

fishbowl or aquarium and from your petswater dish when its time to replenishtheir water.

Fill the kitchen sink with a fewgallons of water for dishwashing and thenrinse all the dishes together to saveapproximately 10 gallons.

Repair all household leaks (insideand outside faucets, toilets, waterheaters, hoses and washer connections)to save more than 11,000 gallons peryear, or enough to fill a backyardswimming pool.

Water plants or lawn during theearliest and coolest part of the day.

Have healthier plants and a lowerwater bill by following their wateringrequirements.

Place sprinklers to water only lawns

and gardens, instead of the sidewalk orstreet.

Soaker hoses or trickle irrigationworks best for shrubs and trees.

Timers on hoses or sprinklers giveyou better control of the amount of wateru s a ge.

M LGW. co m

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WITH THE WEATHER HEATING UP, b a rb e c u eseason has officially begun. And while a little backyard

grilling isnt going to ruin the environment, when

millions of people hit the barbecue, the impact can add

up. Try these 10 useful tips for making your barbecue

event a little greener:

Get your grill on

Most grills use either natural gas, propane, charcoal or electricity. Ofthese options, charcoal causes the most trouble, emitting more carbonmonoxide, particulate matter and soot than any of the others. A propanegrill burns cleaner than charcoal. Electric grills are another clean, thoughless common, option.

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1. Choose locations accessible topublic transport. Encourage allthose who come to take transit,carpool, ride their bikes or walk toimprove air quality and reducetraffic congestion.

2. Opt for a cleaner-burningpropane or electric grill over onepowered by charcoal, whichcontributes more to poor air quality.Avoid lighter fluid which releasesVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)that are hazardous to health. Ifyouve got time to spare, a solaroven or stove avoids emissions

a l t o ge t h e r .3. If you do use charcoal, look forlump brands (briquettes maycontain coal dust or other additivesas binders) made from invasive treespecies or harvested fromsustainably managed forests, andswitch from lighter fluid, whichreleases smog-forming VOCs, to achimney starter.

4. Grill organic, hormone-freemeat and mix it up with fish,veggies, even fruit. Minimize healthrisks (from carcinogenic substancesthat can form when meats aregrilled or broiled at hightemperature) by choosing leanmeats and trimming fat beforeco ok i ng.

5. Shop greener to reduce waste,especially of packaging. Avoidsingle-serving products. Buy in bulkand larger containers. For drinks,buy recyclable containers ratherthan juice boxes.

6. Set your picnic table withreusable dishware and silverwareand cloth napkins. If thats not

feasible, look for biodegradable orrecycled-paper dinnerware,unbleached cups and recycled-paper napkins.

7. If youre grilling at night, tryusing solar lights, lower-impact

stearin candles or bug-deterring soywax candles. Less CO2 output nowmeans more nights under the clear,starry skies.

8. After the barbecue, recycle therecyclables and put thecompostable items, including paper,in the green bin.

9. Clean up green with a naturalcleaner like Orange Plus (made withorange oil) or SoyClean, or ahomemade cleaner of vinegar andbaking soda.

10. Leftover food should be senthome with people in reusablecontainers or given to a food bank iflarger quantities are left.

Treehug ger.com

Try setting the table with reusableitems or biodegradable/compostable plates, bowls, bags

and utensils when barbecuing orpicnicking away from home.

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What can you do to make your sum-mer vacation trips more eco-friendly?

First, dont think your choices are lim-ited to camping and backpacking or thatyo u ll have to use towels that feel likecardboard (or not shower at all!). Youcan be a responsible eco-tourist without

sacrificing creature comforts. Onlineearth-friendly travel directories are greatresources for starting your search:

Ecotourism Explorer on the TIES(The International Ecotourism Society)website (ecotourism.org) features an in-teractive map of lodging, tour compa-nies and more. For example, learn aboutLittle St. Simons Island, a private re-

sort/nature sanctuary off the coast ofGeorgia, or Vagabond Ranch in Col-orado, which uses solar heating panelsto warm its swimming pool.

Its A Green, Green, World (it-sagreengreenworld.com) offers a hugedatabase of hotels and other accom-

modations and their green credentials.The Sustainable Tourism Certifica-tion Network of the Americas Go Green!guide lists certification symbols to lookfor when booking with tour operators. Ifyou are outdoorsy, the Sierra Club andThe Nature Conservancy sponsor guidedecotrips within the U.S. and beyond.

G o o d h o u s ek e e p i n g. co m

Tr av e l i n gaway from

home doesnthave to mean

giving up

sustainablepra cti c es .Many hotels

offer eco-friendly

aspects, fromrecycling to

solar-powered

energy.

A greener path

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The Commercial Appeal S u n day , June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 17

Skin cancer from exposure to sun-light is a serious health risk, but for-tunately the American Cancer Soci-ety says that many cancer cases canbe prevented by taking precautionssuch as avoiding the sun and wear-

ing sunscreen. The latter step, how-ever, can pose problems of its own.Ironically, some sunblocks contain

suspected carcinogens, including di-ethanolamine and related ingredients(DEA, TEA), padimate-o and titani-um dioxide. Other ingredients aresuspected endocrine disrupters asso-ciated with skin irritation and rashes.

Not only are these chemicals po-

tentially bad for you, theyre bad forthe environment. Diethanolaminehas been found in waterways aroundthe country, posing a threat to an-imals and humans. According to theNational Toxicology Program, ben-zophenone has been found in sur-face water and groundwater, as wellas soil and air, and may affect the

liver and bone marrow of animalsingesting large amounts of the wa-ter. This and other endocrine dis-ruptors in sunblocks can also enterthe water system when we swim orbathe, and from there can wind upin fish, amphibians and marinewildlife, posing a threat to the an-imals reproductive cycles.

Use sunscreenwisely to reduce

the health risk

Summer travel

Even on a traditional vacation, you cantake steps to be kinder to theenvironment. To travel with a lighterfootstep, here are some tips:

Stay closer to home. The less youdrive, the easier your trip is on theenvironment. Instead, take an alternativeform of transportation, like a train or abus.

Increase your fuel efficiency on theroad. Inflate your tires, and drive at aleisurely pace. Reducing your speed to55 mph from 65 mph may increase yourfuel efficiency by as much as 15 percent;

cut it to 55 from 70, and you could get a23 percent improvement.

Get to know the country through thewindow of a train. If youre really intenton taking a big vacation, considersplurging on an Amtrak North AmericaRail Pass ($999 peak/$709 off-peak;amtrak.com). The pass allows you totravel to over 900 cities in both the U.S.and Canada for 30 consecutive days.

Remember that flying uses moreenergy than any other form oftransportation. If youre traveling by air,pack light the more weight you bringaboard, the more fuel consumption forwhich youre directly responsible.

If possible, skip the rental car infavor of public transportation, walking orbiking. If you must rent a car, Hertz

recently started renting Toyota Prius atmajor metropolitan airports.Alert hotel housekeeping that you

dont want your towels or linens washedduring your stay.

Turn off lights and air conditioningbefore you leave the room for the day,and limit air-conditioning use in favor ofopening the windows.

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Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide areminerals that physically block ultraviolet(UV) rays from reaching your skin, asopposed to other sunscreens that usechemicals to absorb UV rays. Mineralsare considered the best protection

against sunburn because they blockboth UVB rays (which cause sunburns)and UVA rays (which cause skin agingand cancer). Chemical sunscreens, onthe other hand, dont always protectagainst UVA. And some break down insunlight in as little as half an hour, whilealso interfering with your hormonal sys-tems.

Whenever possible, wear sunglasseswith UV protection, a wide-brimmedhat, tightly woven fabrics, long-sleevedshirts and long pants, or airy cover-upssuch as caftans. Carry a parasol for thatromantic Age of Innocence look. Severesunburns in childhood may greatly in-crease risk of melanoma later in life, sochildren should be particularly well pro-tected from the sun. Keep infants out of

the sun entirely, minimize childrens sunexposure between the hours of 10 a.m.and 3 p.m., put up big umbrellas at thebeach or in the garden, and avoid usingsunscreens on children younger than sixmonths, unless there is no other way toprotect them from the sun.

Protection rating

SPF (or sun protection factor) is anFDA-regulated rating system that rep-resents how long it will take for ex-posed skin to burn with the sunscreenapplied. However, SPF only rates UVBrays, not skin-damaging UVA rays. Forthat reason, never rely entirely on as u n s c re e n s SPF, and look for productsthat advertise broad-spectrum protec-

tion, which means it protects againstboth types of rays.

Usage tipsApply sunscreen generously to ex-

posed skin at least 30 minutes beforegoing out into the sun, and use 1 ounce(enough to fill a shot glass).

The Skin Cancer Foundation recom-

mends reapplying sunscreen every twoh o u rs .Wat e r p ro o f and water resistant

claims arent regulated and are ofteninaccurate. Always reapply lotions aftergetting out of the water, toweling off orsweating heavily.

Compiled from thegreenguide.com and TheAssociated Press

A watchdog group has called on theFood and Drug Administration to shedsome light on sunscreens. The FDA iscurrently considering sunscreenlabeling changes to help consumersmake better choices, but in themeantime, use broad-spectrumsunscreen products of SPF 15 thatprotect against UVA and UVB rays.

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Outsmart skeeters the safe way

The best defense against mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten. Learning whatattracts mosquitoes is as important as understanding what repels them.Mosquitoes like humidity, such as perspiration, moist plants and puddles.

Mosquitoes are nothing if not annoy-ing, and it seems like they just resist allour efforts to get rid of them.

Traditional products certainly can dothe job, but they can end up turningyour backyard into a deathtrap for every

other kind of living thing that drops byfor a visit.While youll likely never be able to

spend a warm summer evening outsidecompletely free of the pesky bloodsuck-ers, there are some ways to cut down onmosquito populations so your outdoorbarbecues are more pleasant.

Stop mosquito growth before it

happens.The best mosquito killer ispreventing them from arriving in thefirst place. Minimize or eliminate anyareas of open water in your yard thatmight be places for them to lay andgrow eggs (theyll either lay them on

the water surface or on the ground nextto it.) Check out birdbaths, old tires,rain barrels, streams and ponds, ditches,unused swimming pools, outdoor tubs,flower pots and vases, and roof gutters.

Maintain your lawn. Mosquitoes andticks often rest in tall grasses and suchareas are more likely to collect water,which they also find attractive. There-

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20 GOING GREEN | S u n day, June 6, 2010 co mm er c ia l a pp ea l.co m

The most common way of repellingmosquitoes involves spraying

poisonous chemicals in your yard and

on yourself. If you are interested in amore natural approach, consider

planting rosemary (above),lemongrass (top right) and marigolds.

fore, keep grasses short and eliminateall pools of stagnant water, even thetiniest ones. Keeping hedges cut backhelps keep ticks at bay.

If you have a decorative pond, stock itwith mosquito- and larvae-eating fishlike Gambusia. You can also trymosquito dunks, which are small disksthat slowly release bacteria that will killbugs upon ingestion. These are availableat most lawn and garden stores, but youcan also get them online.

Plant mosquito-repellent herbs and

plants. Did you know catnip is one ofthe most powerful mosquito repellentplants available? Studies have shown itcan be many times more effective thanDEET. Another good herb to use isrosemary. Non-herb plants you can useinclude ageratum and marigolds(mosquitoes hate ageratum in partic-ular.) Plant these herbs and plants in

your yard and crush some of theirleaves while you are nearby to enjoyprotection, since the mosquitoes cantsmell them otherwise.

Lemongrass is another naturalmosquito repellent. Depending on thelayout of the area youre trying to de -mosquito, you may even be able toplant some directly into your gardens orborders, or put pots of lemongrassaround the deck area in your backyard.

Try garlic. Garlic is the main compo-nent in many herbal remedies.Mosquitoes hate it. Organic gardenersuse garlic sprays, powders and plantingsto help deter the creatures. It may notreduce their numbers dramatically, butwhen coupled with other natural com-batants, you may see a reliable reduction.

Ask your local nursery or plant store

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collection, Rise, which includes chaises,

chairs, ottomans and side tables.We grew up camping and enjoying

the outdoors, so it was a natural placeto start, says design director ClaytonVogel, who co-founded and co-owns thecompany with architect Matthew Hufft.

They plan to launch the line next yearat the International Contemporary Fur-niture Fair in New York City, but the

pieces can be ordered and built at theirWestport location.The removable cushions in the Rise

line are made from machine-washablecovers lined with swimsuit material andcome in dozens of colors, but customerscan specify their own fabrics.

Sustainability played a big part in thecollection. Sturdy stainless steel frames

are built from 45 percent to 65 percent

recycled material. Seat backs and table-tops are made of sinker cypress trees that sank to the bottoms of riversbetween the late 1800s and 1930 in thelogging process. Cold river water pro-tected the wood from sunlight, andyears of sediment buildup results in avariety of colors in the wood.

It meant not having to cut down trees,

and these are old-growth trees that youcant find much anymore, Vogel said.People want benches that can be used

for casual entertaining, as well as indoor-outdoor pieces. Besides being interest-ed in local and green, people want piecesto be flexible and multifunctional, s aidJerad Foster of Studiobuild in OverlandPark, Kan. Especially in this economy.

Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star

Outdoor furniture by Edwin Blue of Kansas City is made using sustainablematerials such as reclaimed cypress wood.

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Dear Earth Talk: At ameeting of a local art as-sociation, an artist whopaints in acrylics saidthat doing so is more eco-

friendly than painting inoils. I somehow doubt it.Are n t acrylics petroleumbased? And arent some

oil paints made from nat-ural materials?

Of course, there are noeasy answers. There areenvironmental and healthissues with both oil andacrylic art paints. The bigdownside of oil paints isthe paint thinner requiredto clean them up. Whilesome of the pigments inoil paint might be toxic orpoisonous depending oncolor reds, yellows,some blues and manywhites are produced usingpotentially toxic heavymetals the paint itself

is typically made of food-grade linseed oil, whichcould hardly be moreharmless to the environ-ment. But oil paint is no-toriously hard to clean up;getting those brushes,palettes and work areasclean requires the use of

paint thinners, such as tur-pentine or mineral spirits,that are not only potential-ly toxic if used improperlybut give off noxious odorsand are highly flammable.

As for acrylic paints,they are water-based socleanup is a breeze: Just

wash it down the drainwith some warm water,no paint thinner required.But acrylic paint is apetroleum-derived poly-mer, i.e. plastic. Whilecleaning it up might beeasier than cleaning upoil paints, do we reallywant to be rinsing plasticdown our drains? Howgood could this be forsurrounding ecosystems?Of course, just buyingthem contributes to ourreliance on petroleum.

So whats a greenpainter to do? One optionis to go for so-called water-

mixable oil paints that, ac-cording to manufacturerslike Grumbacher, appearand behave in the samemanner as traditional oilpaints in every aspect ex-cept when it comes tocleanup like acrylics,they thin and clean up with

wat e r. Water-mixable oilsare ideal for those sensi-tive to chemical fumes. Artsupply chain Utrecht sellsa wide variety of water-mixable oil paints onlineand at its retail locationsacross the U.S.

If you must use tradi-

tional oil paints manyprofessional artists justprefer them for theirthickness, color brillianceand other qualities yo ucan go with a brand thatpays attention to the en-vironmental impact of itsproducts and operations.

Oregon-based GamblinArtists Colors Companyuses only high-qualityraw materials in itspaints, avoiding preserva-tives that degrade thequality and release chem-icals. Gamsol, the compa-nys paint thinner, usesmineral spirits that evap-

orate much more slowlythan turpentine, whichhas a reputation for irri-tating breathing passagesand inducing nausea.

Send questions toEarthTalk, P.O. Box 5098,Westport, CT 06881, or e-mailearthtalk@ emagazine.com .

EARTH TALK

Choose water-mixable oil paint

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Going Green 6-06-10