Dear Dot ™
Dear Dot is here to answer all your sustainable living questions from her perch on the porch. Got a question for Dot? Send her a note for a chance to be featured in an upcoming post.
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Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Where Should I Buy a House?
Dear Dot -
I’m a realtor curious about how climate change is going to impact where people will want to live. What are some climate change concerns people should be considering before committing to a next home/next location?
–Karen
Dear...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Can I Unclog a Drain without Drano?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I have a bathroom drain that clogs a lot. I don’t want to dump a bunch of corrosive chemicals down my drain (and into our waterways). Is there a better way to unclog it?
–Evelyn
The...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Air Dry or Paper Towels?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
If I'm in a public bathroom and I have a choice between paper towels and an electric hand dryer, which should I choose? I imagine it depends a lot on whether those towels are...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Where Can I Find Earth-Friendly Sheets?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’m looking for bed sheets that are both happy to sleep on, and aren’t bad news for our environment. What should I look for?
—Dawn
My dear Dawn,
Are you the same Dawn who wanted to deter...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: What Can I Do With My Old Piano?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’m moving and downsizing. It seems I can’t even give away my family’s 1880s square piano. No one I’ve contacted even wants it to repurpose the exquisite wood. I contacted Big Reuse and they...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Is Green Electricity More Expensive?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
How green is my electricity and is that why it's so expensive?
–Roberto, San Diego
Dear Roberto,
The forces that keep our lights on can often seem shrouded in mystery. But it’s actually not mysterious at all....
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Can I Find Solar Panels Not Made in China?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I have been thinking about going solar. Apart from technical and expense questions, I was reading that most solar panels are produced in Xinjiang province, China, often with forced labor. Can I even find...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Do I Dispose of Leftover Paint?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
Thanks for telling me about what to look for in eco-friendly paint, but how can I responsibly dispose of any leftover paint when I’m done?
—Frances
The Short Answer: The best use for leftover paint is...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Does Being Vegan or Vegetarian Help the Environment?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
How much does being a vegan or vegetarian help the environment?
–Jessica
The Short Answer: Put simply, Jessica, veganism and vegetarianism offer a clear environmental advantage over meat consumption.
Dear Jessica,
Dot’s eldest daughter once had a friend...
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Rachel Ward: Accidental Farmer
Rachel Ward has had a long career as a model, actress, screenwriter, and director. The English-born Australian has graced the cover of Vogue and...
I Need a Hero
The great Bonnie Tyler is on tour and on my mind. Forgive the cliche, but the world is on fire, and I suspect Bonnie...
In California, a Rat Poison Ban Aims to Protect Wildlife
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Rats aren’t the only ones harmed by rat poison. Rodenticide can be toxic to humans and other animals. California lawmakers have taken measures in...
Sun + Water = Energy
With an abundance of both water and sunshine, Florida is at the epicenter of an emerging technology — floating solar. Floating solar panels, called...
Holiday Gifts From the Garden
It’s that time of year again when consumerism ramps up. We are making lists, checking them twice, and waste increases through the gift-giving process....