2 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010 commercialappeal.

com

What’s in this issue ...

Outdoor classroom
6 Summer fun can include learning
about the environment and the
impact we make with our choices

Long, hot summer Just a grillin’

10 Stay cool and easy, wet
14 Make your backyard
and wise with simple barbecue or picnic in
12 changes that add up the park a little greener

The road less traveled

16 You can be a responsible eco-tourist
without sacrificing all the comforts

Outdoor furniture
17 Choose your
sunscreen wisely
21 trending green

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Going Green is a special online publication of
The Commercial Appeal. We welcome your comments
and suggestions. Follow Going Green on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/GoGreenMemphis.
Editor: Kim Coleman, 529-5243,
goinggreen@commercialappeal.com
The Commercial Appeal Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 3

The Green Page

In brief

Arkansas gets
grant to train for
‘green’ jobs
LITTLE ROCK — The U.S.
Department of Labor has
awarded a $4.8 million
grant to the Arkansas
Department of Workforce
Services to develop a
program that will provide
training for “green” jobs.
Mississippi and Tennessee received funding Officials announced the
from the federal stimulus program to offer Arkansas Energy Sector
rebates to residents who purchase new Partnership grant is funded
energy-efficient appliances. with money from the
American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act and will
Updates provide training in energy-
efficient building,
Mississippi officials said last week that
construction and
$482,217 is still available for rebates on the
retrofitting; renewable
purchase of energy-efficient appliances.
electric power and energy
The state received $2.8 million for the
efficiency assessment.
rebates under the federal stimulus package,
Officials say 2,800
and 80 percent of the money has been
Arkansans will be recruited,
reserved
including disadvantaged
The State Energy Efficient Appliance
and dislocated workers and
Rebate Program is designed to spur
individuals living in auto-
economic activity and reduce energy
impacted counties.
consumption. The first-come, first-served
The Arkansas Energy
rebates range from $50 to $750, depending
Sector Partnership was
on the appliance.
established to develop and
Rebates are not available for online sales.
implement the program.
To check the status of the program go to
Curriculum and programs
mississippirebate.com.
will be developed by two-
Rebates for Tennessee are tentatively
year colleges and the seven
scheduled to begin in late June. They will be
apprenticeship programs to
offered for a limited time only and will end
train participants for
when funds run out.
careers in the three
For updates on Tennesee, visit
targeted industries.
tnecd.gov/recovery/energystar.html or call
(615) 741-2994 or (800) 342-1340. Associated Press
4 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010 commercialappeal.com

It’s summertime ...

and the living can be easy on your
pocketbook, as well as the planet.
IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SUMMER will be reading while lounging on the
another hot one. Here are some ways to save deck is another great way to
pass the time and leave a
money — and help the planet — in the good old smaller footprint behind.
summertime.
Mentor a young
(eco)entrepreneur:
When it comes to
spending time with your
children or grandchildren
this summer, it doesn’t need
to cost a ton of money, and
they could learn a thing or
two about their planet and
the impact our lives have on
it. Help the kids start a
business of their own this
summer (extra points if it’s a
green business). Choose
something that’s enjoyable
for everybody and that you
can work on together, like
growing a garden and selling
the produce at a roadside
Steppin’ light friends to relax. Time spent stand, or having yard sales,
Find local activities with with friends and family can or starting a pet walking or
low environmental impacts, be a great way to catch up sitting business. On Page 6,
like a trip to the local park, and have fun. Picking up a Stacey Greenberg explores
woods, zoo or ball game, or book from your local library places in Memphis where
go down by the river with and catching up on your kids can have summer fun
The Commercial Appeal
and learn about the
environment as well.
Cool and easy
U.S. homeowners spend
more than $15 billion a year
on the electricity their air
conditioners suck up. A do-
it-yourself energy audit will
give you a plan of attack for
lowering your AC costs while
making the planet a cooler
place at the same time. See
Page 10 for a list of tips on
how to keep cool and save.
Wet and wise
Water usage levels are a
big deal throughout much of
the U.S. and a summer
drought can really make
things tough. Be certain to
watch how much you use,
water plants only when
necessary, and take a few
minutes to install a low-flow
showerhead. We give you
simple steps on Page 12 that
can make a big difference.
Greening up the grill
Love to barbecue?
Propane burns much cleaner
than either wood or charcoal
briquettes. If you can’t resist
charcoal, try a natural
product like those produced
by Cowboy Charcoal — much
cleaner than your traditional
briquettes. Of course, when
you’re done grilling, use
natural cleaning products
Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN
such as SoyClean organic
grill cleaner to keep your
summer as chemical-free as
possible. On Page 14, we
give you the low-down on
grillin’ green.
The local roundup
Buy food locally. Farmers
markets are great places to
shop, and ensure that the
veggies you’re eating hot off
the grill or mixed in a salad
haven’t traveled thousands
of miles just to reach your
plate. That cuts down on the
use of fossil fuels, which
leads to significantly reduced
levels of pollution and
resource depletion over your
typical tomato bought at the
local supermarket. Check out
commercialappeal.com
/news/2010/apr/29/farmers-
markets/ for markets
currently operating in the
area.
Green plate special
Use reusable dishes rather
than plastics or Styrofoam. If
you absolutely must use
disposables, make sure to
pick up compostable
varieties beforehand to put
in the compost bin when
you’re through.
Greenie bikini
You don’t have to go so far
as wearing a biodegradable
or solar bikini to make your
5
summer accoutrements
more sustainable. Look for
eco-friendly products like
clothing, swimsuits, sandals,
towels and skin care. Each of
them is a step in the right
direction, and you might just
fall in love with a product or
style you never knew existed.
No poison, please
Remember those carefree
days of running alongside
the DDT truck as it sprayed
the happy townspeople and
iced all the bugs? Well, we’re
a little smarter now, so
check out Page 19 on how to
keep those pests under
control without turning your
backyard into a deathtrap.
The greener road
Have to travel long
distances to arrive at your
dream destination this
summer? Consider making it
by road or rail rather than by
plane, but be sure to offset
your carbon emissions no
matter what mode of
transportation you choose.
Or think about a staycation.
Whatever you decide to do
check out Page 16 for tips
on greener travel.
Compiled from
thedailygreen.com,
treehugger.com and The
Associated Press.
6 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010 commercialappeal.com

Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal files

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

Summer learning
Keep the kids busy with these fun, educational activities
Stacey Greenberg / stacey@fertilegroundzine.com

SCHOOL’S OUT for the summer, but that doesn’t 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:
The Commercial Appeal
Memphis Botanic Garden
Memphis Botanic Garden is a
beautiful place to smell the roses in the
Rose Garden, feed the koi in the
Japanese Garden and learn all about the
beautiful things growing outdoors. The
new My Big Backyard exhibit was
designed just for kids to learn and have
fun at the same time and is an absolute
must-see. Highlights include:
Treetop Adventure: A winding
accessible ramp takes kids through the
magnolia canopy to the treetop
birdhouse where they can be “in the
trees” without actually being “in the
trees” and learn about backyard birds
and other tree-dwelling creatures.
Wormville: Live life as a worm, where
everything is from a worm’s-eye view.
Raindrop Stop: Where thunder rolls
and unexpected showers bring on
spontaneous fun.
Pond Out Back: A perfect pond
where real frogs, fish and birds play, and
children explore.
Conifer Corner: Oversized conifers
and a spectacular blue cedar tree create
a natural world where wild things grow,
and hide and seek is the favorite
pastime.
Welcome Wildlife: All the ideas
children need to lure wildlife back to
their own backyards — butterfly
gardens, birdhouses and even lessons
for the benefit of bees.
Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Rd.,
636-4106, memphisbotanicgarden.com.
The Children’s Museum
of Memphis
The Children’s Museum of Memphis
(CMOM) has several exhibits — both
Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 7
permanent and traveling — to help
introduce kids to environmental issues.
Catch “Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug
World!” before it closes on June 13. (It
may be extended.) The exhibit allows
kids to get up close and personal with
insects in eight interactive modules
with 20 hands-on activities.
Additionally, two separate honeybee
colonies live in hives outside the
WaterWORKS! windows for safe
observation. Each hive has “glass” walls
turned toward the window to allow
visitors to “see inside the world of the
honeybee.” Fun, hands-on bee activities
include an indoor hive to take apart,
beekeeper suits to try on, books,
educational cards and bees in acrylic to
study up close. A “Honeybee Facts” sign
allows children to learn about this
fascinating insect.
The permanent “Tree House” exhibit
promotes saving natural resources and
conservation through everyday living. It
engages visitors in the life cycle of a
tree and the important role that a tree
plays in the Earth’s ecological
environment. It also touches on
ecosystems, sustainability and tree
products.
Finally, CMOM has two really cool
traveling learning labs. One is called
“Pollution Detectives” and concentrates
on water pollution (there is even an
activity where children pollute water
with oil!), and one that focuses on
energy conservation called Energy IQ.
They have all lesson plans and materials
to cover a week-long curriculum unit for
parents and teachers, and are wonderful
resources.
The Children’s Museum of Memphis, 2525
Central, 458-2678, cmom.com.
8 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010 commercialappeal.com

The Lichterman Nature Center

The Lichterman Nature Center is
offering a special “Animals Alive!”
program for groups of 15 or more
Tuesday-Friday through Sept. 1 — and
on Saturday year-round. This will allow
you and the kids to meet some animals
that call the Mid-South and your
backyard home. Learn how they survive
and why they are important to the Mid-
South’s ecosystems. Families can also
watch the Backyard Wildlife Center
animal keepers feed the animals at noon
Tuesday through Friday.
And to get the full experience of
Lichterman’s spectacular natural setting,
check out a Family Discovery Backpack.
It contains tools, guides and activity
cards to help you enjoy your visit to the
nature center. The Backyard Wildlife
Center features live animals, hands-on
explorations, microscopic discoveries, a Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal files
forest boardwalk three stories high, and "Grandma Willow," a talking willow
an underwater viewing area. tree, is part of the Tree House exhibit
Lichterman Nature Center, 5992 Quince at the Children’s Museum. Promoting
Road, 767-7322, memphismuseums.org. saving natural resources and
conservation through everyday living
Meeman-Shelby Forest State is the focus of this exhibit.
Park
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is There are even guided pontoon boat
one of Memphis’ greatest natural trips on Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m.
resources. and 1 p.m.; Saturday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m.
From Memorial Day through Labor and 5 p.m.; and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2
Day, the Nature Center hours are p.m. Enjoy a relaxing 45-minute trip
Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You around Poplar Tree Lake, a serene
can enjoy live animal exhibits and setting with sights of various wildlife
programs, hands-on learning tables and and flora. The cost is $1 per person. To
crafts. There are guided hikes every reserve a spot on a hike or a pontoon
Saturday at 10 a.m. Meet at the Visitor boat, make reservations at the Visitor
Center for a 1.5-mile hike on the Center or call 876-5215.
Woodland Trail, while a naturalist gives Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, 910
information on native flora and fauna, Riddick Road, Millington, 876-5215,
natural history, conservation and more. tennessee.gov/environment/parks/MeemanShelby.
The Commercial Appeal
A Green Summer: By the Numbers
About 63 percent ...
of the backyard barbecues in the
U.S. are fired up with briquettes, but
using them to cook up a standard
hamburger results in 105 times more
carbon monoxide than if you cooked
it on a propane grill. Briquettes also
give off harmful Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs) when lit, and
they’re something we can all breathe
easier without.
More than 70 percent ...
of the Earth’s surface is covered by
water, but less than 1 percent of it is
drinkable. With much of that drying
up through desertification or
becoming too contaminated for
consumption, it’s clear that
rethinking water-use habits is an
important part of greening the future.
20,462 tons ...
is the amount of CO2,
according to
Terrapass,
that a family
of four heading
from New York
City to Los
Angeles in their
gas-guzzling
2007 Ford
Explorer (4WD)
would save over that
same trip by air. They
may not be sane when
they get there, but
Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 9
they’ll certainly have done their part
to help cool the planet!
67 percent ...
of Americans, a recent survey
showed, stress the importance of
eco-friendly travel, and 65 percent
state that it would somewhat impact
their decision to stay at a hotel if
they knew it was using solar or wind
energy. In the same survey, 63
percent of respondents said they
would pay a little more to rent a
hybrid vehicle or stay at a “green”
hotel, and 52 percent said they’d be
willing to donate a small portion of
their vacation budget to protecting
the environment when booking a trip.
1,500 to 2,500 miles ...
is the distance the ingredients for
the average meal
typically travel, which is
a 25 percent increase
from 1980.
Ultimately, the
average meal
today uses up
to 17 times
more
petroleum
products and
carbon dioxide
emissions than an
entirely local meal.
Sources: TreeHugger,
Lenntech, PR Newswire,
Worldwatch Institute
10 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010 commercialappeal.com

Ways to keep cool and

cut summer energy costs

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:
The Commercial Appeal
Have a professional, reputable
contractor clean and inspect your air
conditioner. This should be done every
year, whether you have window or
central units.
The outside portion of a central air
conditioner is the condensing unit.
Keep it clear from dried mud, debris
and grass clippings, because it needs to
breathe. Ask the contractor for
instructions on how to do it yourself.
Check it periodically, especially after an
intense rain. Mud can splatter onto the
unit and block the air after it dries.
Check your air conditioner’s filter
every time you receive your utility bill.
Look for a dust buildup that can restrict
the airflow and place stress on the
system. It is best to keep several filters
on 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 in
cooler night-time air can pre-cool a
house and reduce energy use in the
daytime if heat is kept out by closing
windows and shades.
Install a programmable thermostat.
If health conditions permit, raise the
setting from 73 to 78 degrees. You can
save 3 percent to 5 percent on your air
conditioning costs for each degree you
raise the thermostat.
Do not set your thermostat at a
colder setting than normal when you
first turn on your air conditioner. It will
not cool your home any faster and could
result in excessive cooling and,
therefore, unnecessary expense.
Close doors leading to uncooled
parts of your home. If you have central
air conditioning, close off vents to
Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 11
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 the
airflow. A unit operating in the shade
uses up to 10 percent less electricity
than the same one operating in the sun.
Shade windows on the sunny side
of your home. Keep drapes closed or
add room-darkening shades to block out
the heat from the sun.
Seal holes and cracks around doors
and windows. Eliminate air leaks
between window air conditioners and
windows with foam insulation or
weather-stripping.
Switch to compact fluorescent light
bulbs (CFLs), which use 75 percent less
electricity and burn more coolly than
incandescent bulbs. Keep in mind that
CFLs are especially handy in hard-to-
reach fixtures and won’t need to be
replaced for about five years.
Delay heat-producing tasks such as
laundry until later in the day. Wash full
loads, using cold water whenever
possible.
Run the dishwasher at night, using
the shortest cycle that will get the
dishes clean. If manufacturers’
directions permit, turn the dishwasher
off before the dry cycle, or use the air
dry feature if your machine has one.
Take short, cool showers. They use
less hot water than a bath.
Replace old appliances with new
energy-efficient Energy Star appliances.
Refrigerators that are only 10 years old
can use twice as much electricity as
new Energy Star labeled models.
Compiled from MLGW.com and The
Associated Press.
12 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010 commercialappeal.com

Long, hot summer: Water matters

Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal files

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

With drought being declared in more
and more places each summer, the issue
of water conservation is especially
pressing. Reducing strain on overtaxed
water supplies and coping with water
restrictions are beginning to look like
annual problems.
The EPA describes a two-pronged ap-
proach to conserving water, comprised
of both engineering changes and be-
havioral changes. Most people are aware
of turning off the faucet, just like turn-
ing out the light. Engineering changes,
which alter the plumbing or fixtures of
the house, have a higher initial over-
head, making them a little slower to be
adopted, but can make a significant dif-
ference to a home’s overall water use.
Inside the home, there are not only
low-flow showerheads (which often
have pause buttons on the water flow,
allowing the water to be stopped for a
few 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-
The Commercial Appeal Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 13

duce water consumption and the cost of Conserve water around your
heating water by as much as 50 percent. home with simple changes
Sure, you knew about all those things.
Running a tap can waste two gallons
But do they really make a difference?
per minute and increase your water bill.
According to the University of Min-
Keep a supply of drinking water in
nesota Extension Service, a typical
the refrigerator instead of letting the
household of four uses 260 gallons of
faucet run until cool enough to drink.
water every day, with 40 percent of that
Fill a drinking glass with enough
being used for toilets and another 35
water to brush your teeth instead of
percent on showers, baths, and faucets
continuously running the faucet.
— a total of three-quarters of a house-
Plug the sink to capture enough
hold’s water usage going directly down
water for your shave instead of
the drain. Spending about $30 on low-
continuously running the water.
flow showerheads and faucets is esti-
Recycle instead of wasting it down a
mated to save 45 gallons of that 260
drain by watering your plants from a
gallons of water, almost 18 percent of
fishbowl or aquarium and from your pets’
your usage. Splurging on a low-flow toi-
water dish when it’s time to replenish
let could save another 50 to 80 gallons
their water.
of water a day. Together, those changes
Fill the kitchen sink with a few
nearly cut in half the household’s daily
gallons of water for dishwashing and then
use, saving a considerable amount of
rinse all the dishes together to save
water — and passing that savings on to
approximately 10 gallons.
your water bill.
Repair all household leaks (inside
Outside the home, water barrels can
and outside faucets, toilets, water
keep your lawn and garden green even if
heaters, hoses and washer connections)
you’re in an area affected by water re-
to save more than 11,000 gallons per
striction. This is a simple, old-fashioned
year, or enough to fill a backyard
solution that’s been keeping gardens wa-
swimming pool.
tered for centuries, and it’s making a
Water plants or lawn during the
comeback. If you’re more ambitious, or
earliest and coolest part of the day.
have a greater area to water, the EPA
Have healthier plants and a lower
suggests gray water reuse. (Gray water
water bill by following their watering
is the waste water from benign house-
requirements.
hold sources, such as sinks, tubs and
Place sprinklers to water only lawns
washing machines.) Rain water and gray
and gardens, instead of the sidewalk or
water aren’t just good for gardens. Put it
street.
in a bucket, or use your rain barrel hose,
Soaker hoses or trickle irrigation
and wash your car, your porch,or your
works best for shrubs and trees.
house, instead of using potable water to
Timers on hoses or sprinklers give
do the same job. Your municipal water
you better control of the amount of water
supply will be grateful, especially during
usage.
drought.
MLGW.com
Treehugger.com
14 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010 commercialappeal.com

Get your grill on

Most grills use either natural gas, propane, charcoal or electricity. Of

these options, charcoal causes the most trouble, emitting more carbon
monoxide, particulate matter and soot than any of the others. A propane
grill burns cleaner than charcoal. Electric grills are another clean, though
less common, option.

WITH THE WEATHER HEATING UP, barbecue

season has officially begun. And while a little backyard
grilling isn’t 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:
The Commercial Appeal
1. Choose locations accessible to
public transport. Encourage all
those who come to take transit,
carpool, ride their bikes or walk to
improve air quality and reduce
traffic congestion.
2. Opt for a cleaner-burning
propane or electric grill over one
powered by charcoal, which
contributes more to poor air quality.
Avoid lighter fluid which releases
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
that are hazardous to health. If
you’ve got time to spare, a solar
oven or stove avoids emissions
altogether.
3. If you do use charcoal, look for
lump brands (briquettes may
contain coal dust or other additives
as binders) made from invasive tree
species or harvested from
sustainably managed forests, and
switch from lighter fluid, which
releases smog-forming VOCs, to a
chimney starter.
4. Grill organic, hormone-free
meat and mix it up with fish,
veggies, even fruit. Minimize health
risks (from carcinogenic substances
that can form when meats are
grilled or broiled at high
temperature) by choosing lean
meats and trimming fat before
cooking.
5. Shop greener to reduce waste,
especially of packaging. Avoid
single-serving products. Buy in bulk
and larger containers. For drinks,
buy recyclable containers rather
than juice boxes.
6. Set your picnic table with
reusable dishware and silverware
and cloth napkins. If that’s not
Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 15
Try setting the table with reusable
items or biodegradable/
compostable plates, bowls, bags
and utensils when barbecuing or
picnicking away from home.
feasible, look for biodegradable or
recycled-paper dinnerware,
unbleached cups and recycled-
paper napkins.
7. If you’re grilling at night, try
using solar lights, lower-impact
stearin candles or bug-deterring soy
wax candles. Less CO2 output now
means more nights under the clear,
starry skies.
8. After the barbecue, recycle the
recyclables and put the
compostable items, including paper,
in the green bin.
9. Clean up green with a natural
cleaner like Orange Plus (made with
orange oil) or SoyClean, or a
homemade cleaner of vinegar and
baking soda.
10. Leftover food should be sent
home with people in reusable
containers or given to a food bank if
larger quantities are left.
Treehugger.com
16 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010 commercialappeal.com

A greener path
Traveling
away from
home doesn’t
have to mean
giving up
sustainable
practices.
Many hotels
offer eco-
friendly
aspects, from
recycling to
solar-
powered
energy.

What can you do to make your sum-
mer vacation trips more eco-friendly?
First, don’t think your choices are lim-
ited to camping and backpacking or that
you’ll have to use towels that feel like
cardboard (or not shower at all!). You
can be a responsible eco-tourist without
sacrificing creature comforts. Online
earth-friendly travel directories are great
resources 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 about
Little St. Simons Island, a private re-
sort/nature sanctuary off the coast of
Georgia, or Vagabond Ranch in Col-
orado, which uses solar heating panels
to warm its swimming pool.
It’s A Green, Green, World (it-
sagreengreenworld.com) offers a huge
database 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 look
for when booking with tour operators. If
you are outdoorsy, the Sierra Club and
The Nature Conservancy sponsor guided
ecotrips within the U.S. and beyond.
Goodhousekeeping.com
The Commercial Appeal
Summer travel
Even on a traditional vacation, you can
take steps to be kinder to the
environment. To travel with a lighter
footstep, here are some tips:
Stay closer to home. The less you
drive, the easier your trip is on the
environment. Instead, take an alternative
form of transportation, like a train or a
bus.
Increase your fuel efficiency on the
road. Inflate your tires, and drive at a
leisurely pace. Reducing your speed to
55 mph from 65 mph may increase your
fuel efficiency by as much as 15 percent;
cut it to 55 from 70, and you could get a
23 percent improvement.
Get to know the country through the
window of a train. If you’re really intent
on taking a big vacation, consider
splurging on an Amtrak North America
Rail Pass ($999 peak/$709 off-peak;
amtrak.com). The pass allows you to
travel to over 900 cities in both the U.S.
and Canada for 30 consecutive days.
Remember that flying uses more
energy than any other form of
transportation. If you’re traveling by air,
pack light — the more weight you bring
aboard, the more fuel consumption for
which you’re directly responsible.
If possible, skip the rental car in
favor of public transportation, walking or
biking. If you must rent a car, Hertz
recently started renting Toyota Prius at
major metropolitan airports.
Alert hotel housekeeping that you
don’t want your towels or linens washed
during your stay.
Turn off lights and air conditioning
before you leave the room for the day,
and limit air-conditioning use in favor of
opening the windows.
Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 17
Use sunscreen
wisely to reduce
the health risk
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 can
be prevented by taking precautions
such 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 are
suspected endocrine disrupters asso-
ciated with skin irritation and rashes.
Not only are these chemicals po-
tentially bad for you, they’re bad for
the environment. Diethanolamine
has been found in waterways around
the country, posing a threat to an-
imals and humans. According to the
National Toxicology Program, ben-
zophenone has been found in sur-
face water and groundwater, as well
as soil and air, and may affect the
liver and bone marrow of animals
ingesting large amounts of the wa-
ter. This and other endocrine dis-
ruptors in sunblocks can also enter
the water system when we swim or
bathe, and from there can wind up
in fish, amphibians and marine
wildlife, posing a threat to the an-
imals’ reproductive cycles.
18 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are
minerals that physically block ultraviolet
(UV) rays from reaching your skin, as
opposed to other sunscreens that use
chemicals to absorb UV rays. Minerals
are considered the best protection
against sunburn because they block
both UVB rays (which cause sunburns)
and UVA rays (which cause skin aging
and cancer). Chemical sunscreens, on
the other hand, don’t always protect
against UVA. And some break down in
sunlight in as little as half an hour, while
also interfering with your hormonal sys-
tems.
Whenever possible, wear sunglasses
with UV protection, a wide-brimmed
hat, tightly woven fabrics, long-sleeved
shirts and long pants, or airy cover-ups
such as caftans. Carry a parasol for that
romantic Age of Innocence look. Severe
sunburns in childhood may greatly in-
crease risk of melanoma later in life, so
children should be particularly well pro-
tected from the sun. Keep infants out of
the sun entirely, minimize children’s sun
exposure between the hours of 10 a.m.
and 3 p.m., put up big umbrellas at the
beach or in the garden, and avoid using
sunscreens on children younger than six
months, unless there is no other way to
protect them from the sun.
Protection rating
SPF (or sun protection factor) is an
FDA-regulated rating system that rep-
resents how long it will take for ex-
posed skin to burn with the sunscreen
applied. However, SPF only rates UVB
rays, not skin-damaging UVA rays. For
that reason, never rely entirely on a
sunscreen’s SPF, and look for products
that advertise “broad-spectrum protec-
commercialappeal.com
A watchdog group has called on the
Food and Drug Administration to shed
some light on sunscreens. The FDA is
currently considering sunscreen
labeling changes to help consumers
make better choices, but in the
meantime, use broad-spectrum
sunscreen products of SPF 15 that
protect against UVA and UVB rays.
tion,” which means it protects against
both types of rays.
Usage tips
Apply sunscreen generously to ex-
posed skin at least 30 minutes before
going out into the sun, and use 1 ounce
(enough to fill a shot glass).
The Skin Cancer Foundation recom-
mends reapplying sunscreen every two
hours.
“Waterproof” and “water resistant”
claims aren’t regulated and are often
inaccurate. Always reapply lotions after
getting out of the water, toweling off or
sweating heavily.
Compiled from thegreenguide.com and The
Associated Press
The Commercial Appeal Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 19

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

Outsmart skeeters the safe way

Mosquitoes are nothing if not annoy-
ing, and it seems like they just resist all
our efforts to get rid of them.
Traditional products certainly can do
the job, but they can end up turning
your backyard into a deathtrap for every
other kind of living thing that drops by
for a visit.
While you’ll likely never be able to
spend a warm summer evening outside
completely free of the pesky bloodsuck-
ers, there are some ways to cut down on
mosquito populations so your outdoor
barbecues are more pleasant.
Stop mosquito growth before it
happens. The best mosquito killer is
preventing them from arriving in the
first place. Minimize or eliminate any
areas of open water in your yard that
might be places for them to lay and
grow eggs (they’ll either lay them on
the water surface or on the ground next
to 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 and
ticks often rest in tall grasses and such
areas are more likely to collect water,
which they also find attractive. There-
20 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010
The most common way of repelling
mosquitoes involves spraying
poisonous chemicals in your yard and
on yourself. If you are interested in a
more natural approach, consider
planting rosemary (above),
lemongrass (top right) and marigolds.
fore, keep grasses short and eliminate
all pools of stagnant water, even the
tiniest ones. Keeping hedges cut back
helps keep ticks at bay.
If you have a decorative pond, stock it
with mosquito- and larvae-eating fish
like Gambusia. You can also try
mosquito dunks, which are small disks
that slowly release bacteria that will kill
bugs upon ingestion. These are available
at most lawn and garden stores, but you
can also get them online.
Plant mosquito-repellent herbs and
plants. Did you know catnip is one of
the most powerful mosquito repellent
plants available? Studies have shown it
can be many times more effective than
DEET. Another good herb to use is
rosemary. Non-herb plants you can use
include ageratum and marigolds
(mosquitoes hate ageratum in partic-
ular.) Plant these herbs and plants in
commercialappeal.com
your yard and crush some of their
leaves while you are nearby to enjoy
protection, since the mosquitoes can’t
smell them otherwise.
Lemongrass is another natural
mosquito repellent. Depending on the
layout of the area you’re trying to “de-
mosquito,” you may even be able to
plant some directly into your gardens or
borders, or put pots of lemongrass
around the deck area in your backyard.
Try garlic. Garlic is the main compo-
nent in many herbal remedies.
Mosquitoes hate it. Organic gardeners
use garlic sprays, powders and plantings
to help deter the creatures. It may not
reduce their numbers dramatically, but
when coupled with other natural com-
batants, you may see a reliable reduction.
Ask your local nursery or plant store
The Commercial Appeal
for a product called Garlic Barrier. You
spray it on with a fertilizer sprayer.
There are certain guidelines that you
must follow to get the best results. For
example, you must spray it on a day
with low winds and no rain in the
forecast for a few days ahead. It’s very
successful when applied correctly and
will not harm children or pets.
Consider citronella. Citronella oil is a
safe and effective way to keep
mosquitoes away during your garden
parties and backyard events. Your on-
line garden store or local garden center
will have everything from citronella
table candles to shoulder-high citronella
torches you can mount around the pool.
For personal use, try mixing a few
drops of citronella oil with a few drops
of olive oil and apply at your pulse
points like perfume.
Try other less-toxic Insecticides.
Since adult mosquitoes are least active
during the day, you can spray a botan-
ical insecticide, such as the Organic
Mosquito and Gnat Repellent sold at
Planet Natural, on shrubs and the lower
limbs of trees while the pests are at
rest. Avoid sprays that contain perme-
thrin (or any related chemicals ending
in -thrin), often billed as eco-friendly
since it’s derived from chrysanthemums.
However, it can cause asthma attacks,
headaches and nausea and interferes
with development in aquatic animals.
Since it’s difficult to eliminate
mosquitoes at their source, protecting
yourself is the next best thing. Try vanil-
la mixed with some olive oil and apply
to the skin.
Then there are always the big guns,
like the Mosquito Magnet.
Compiled from The Associated Press.
Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN 21
Outdoor furniture
encompasses
environmentally
friendly materials
By Stacy Downs
McClatchy Newspapers
Outdoor furniture makers are
keenly aware that home is the cur-
rent vacation hot spot.
This season offers an array of un-
usual pieces in colors, materials and
styles to soothe our recession-weary
souls. A quick sample: backyard
swings crafted from reclaimed wine
barrels; a candy-stick hued collection
of modern rockers and gliders made
from recycled milk jugs, and canopied
daybeds with deep cushioning.
“Consumers are hungry for some-
thing different to personalize their en-
vironment,” said Michelle Lamb, an in-
ternational home furnishings trend
forecaster based in Minneapolis. Out-
door living “is a great way to get more
space out of your house, which is use-
ful in this economy when people aren’t
moving to bigger homes as frequently.”
Consumer demand for products
crafted from local materials is grow-
ing because it’s better for the en-
vironment and the economy. Plus,
customers can build one-on-one re-
lationships with artisans to get ex-
actly what they want. Westport-based
company Edwin Blue created its first
22 GOING GREEN | Sunday, June 6, 2010
Outdoor furniture by Edwin Blue of Kansas City is made using sustainable
materials such as reclaimed cypress wood.
collection, Rise, which includes chaises,
chairs, ottomans and side tables.
“We grew up camping and enjoying
the outdoors, so it was a natural place
to start,” says design director Clayton
Vogel, who co-founded and co-owns the
company with architect Matthew Hufft.
They plan to launch the line next year
at the International Contemporary Fur-
niture Fair in New York City, but the
pieces can be ordered and built at their
Westport location.
The removable cushions in the Rise
line are made from machine-washable
covers lined with swimsuit material and
come in dozens of colors, but customers
can specify their own fabrics.
Sustainability played a big part in the
collection. Sturdy stainless steel frames
commercialappeal.com
Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star
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 rivers
between the late 1800s and 1930 in the
logging process. Cold river water pro-
tected the wood from sunlight, and
years of sediment buildup results in a
variety of colors in the wood.
“It meant not having to cut down trees,
and these are old-growth trees that you
can’t 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 pieces
to be flexible and multifunctional,” said
Jerad Foster of Studiobuild in Overland
Park, Kan. “Especially in this economy.”
The Commercial Appeal
EARTH TALK
Choose water-mixable oil paint
Dear Earth Talk: At a
meeting of a local art as-
sociation, an artist who
paints in acrylics said
that doing so is more eco-
friendly than painting in
oils. I somehow doubt it.
Aren’t acrylics petroleum
based? And aren’t some
oil paints made from nat-
ural materials?
Of course, there are no
easy answers. There are
environmental and health
issues with both oil and
acrylic art paints. The big
downside of oil paints is
the paint thinner required
to clean them up. While
some of the pigments in
oil paint might be toxic or
poisonous depending on
color — reds, yellows,
some blues and many
whites are produced using
potentially toxic heavy
metals — the paint itself
is typically made of food-
grade linseed oil, which
could hardly be more
harmless to the environ-
ment. But oil paint is no-
toriously hard to clean up;
getting those brushes,
palettes and work areas
clean requires the use of
Sunday, June 6, 2010 | GOING GREEN
paint thinners, such as tur-
pentine or mineral spirits,
that are not only potential-
ly toxic if used improperly
but give off noxious odors
and are highly flammable.
As for acrylic paints,
they are water-based so
cleanup is a breeze: Just
wash it down the drain
with some warm water,
no paint thinner required.
But acrylic paint is a
petroleum-derived poly-
mer, i.e. plastic. While
cleaning it up might be
easier than cleaning up
oil paints, do we really
want to be rinsing plastic
down our drains? How
good could this be for
surrounding ecosystems?
Of course, just buying
them contributes to our
reliance on petroleum.
So what’s a green
painter to do? One option
is to go for so-called water-
mixable oil paints that, ac-
cording to manufacturers
like Grumbacher, appear
and behave in the same
manner as traditional oil
paints in every aspect ex-
cept when it comes to
cleanup — like acrylics,
they thin and clean up with
23
water. Water-mixable oils
are ideal for those sensi-
tive to chemical fumes. Art
supply chain Utrecht sells
a wide variety of water-
mixable oil paints online
and at its retail locations
across the U.S.
If you must use tradi-
tional oil paints — many
professional artists just
prefer them for their
thickness, color brilliance
and other qualities — you
can go with a brand that
pays attention to the en-
vironmental impact of its
products and operations.
Oregon-based Gamblin
Artists Colors Company
uses only high-quality
raw materials in its
paints, avoiding preserva-
tives that degrade the
quality and release chem-
icals. Gamsol, the compa-
ny’s paint thinner, uses
mineral spirits that evap-
orate much more slowly
than turpentine, which
has a reputation for irri-
tating breathing passages
and inducing nausea.
Send questions to
EarthTalk, P.O. Box 5098,
Westport, CT 06881, or e-mail
earthtalk@emagazine.com.