Ask Umbra
Grist’s destination for advice on life during climate change. Est. 2002
Past Umbra
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![Illustration of a rabbit plush, a plastic bag, a mason jar full of trash, plastic wrap, and a bigfin squid, inside of a trash can]()
![Illustration of a rabbit plush, a plastic bag, a mason jar full of trash, plastic wrap, and a bigfin squid, inside of a trash can]()
We found them: The weirdest questions on living sustainably
From unbreakable Mason jars to the mysteries of the deep sea.
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![Illustration of a landscape with solar panels, wind turbines, cooling towers, and power lines]()
![Illustration of a landscape with solar panels, wind turbines, cooling towers, and power lines]()
Does charging more for electricity help the planet?
Or is my utility company just greedy?
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![Illustration of a house with a picket fence made of syringes and smog clouds hovering above]()
![Illustration of a house with a picket fence made of syringes and smog clouds hovering above]()
I have a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Do I deserve it?
It’s baffling that vaccine rollouts have left polluted communities behind. What can I do?
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Is my long-distance relationship worth the gas mileage?
Leading a climate-conscious life often means choosing among lackluster options. Dating doesn't have to be the same.
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![An illustration of (from left to right) a cotton bud, a sewing machine sewing jeans, a stack of jeans with a price tag, a pair of hands holding up jeans, and a garbage can with jeans hanging out of them.]()
![An illustration of (from left to right) a cotton bud, a sewing machine sewing jeans, a stack of jeans with a price tag, a pair of hands holding up jeans, and a garbage can with jeans hanging out of them.]()
Should wasteful purchases cost more?
Whoever made the mess should pay to clean it up. But who is actually responsible?
