Umbra Fisk

Ask Umbra®

Advice for Living Green

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try). Send your green-living questions to Umbra.

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Umbra Fisk is Grist Research Associate II, Hardcover and Periodicals Unit, floors 2B-4B.

Living

Can a vegan ever truly love a carnivore?

A reader wonders whether two hearts can meat. Umbra says vegan start by accepting each other for who we are.

Living

Are compostable diapers the most eco-friendly?

A reader wonders how best to swaddle the little poo machine. Umbra says it's a wrap.

Food

Hey! Did somebody frack my favorite beer?

A reader worries about fracking water tainting beer. Umbra hops to it.

Living

Help! I need eco-friendly party favors — on a budget

A reader wonders if there's a better alternative than the dreaded, plastic-filled goodie bags. Umbra reaches into her huge bag of tricks.

Living

Is carving jack-o-lanterns wasteful?

A reader is scared about the wasteful side of Halloween. Umbra carves out an answer.

Living

Is it better to crank up the thermostat or buy a space heater?

A reader wants to stay warm without wasting energy. Umbra turns up the heat.

Living

What’s better, synthetic or standard motor oil?

A reader wonders which lube he should use in his new car. Umbra has answers in a jiffy.

Business & Technology

What’s the best solar charger for my cellphone?

A reader needs a better solar charger, and he's buying on a budget. Umbra plugs him in.

Living

Which water cooler is coolest?

A reader wonders which is more energy efficient, bottle-fed water coolers or the newfangled point-of-use kind. Umbra distills the answers.

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