Eco-Heroes: John Muir

John Muir (1838-1914): Born in Scotland but raised in the U.S., Muir was a naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club.  He petitioned Congress to enact the National Parks Bill to establish Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in California, which led to our current national parks system.  Filmmaker Ken Burns documented Muir’s story in his PBS special, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”

Green Briefs

Dry cleaners use large amounts of chemical solvents such as tetrachloroethylene, a de-greasing agent that’s a suspected carcinogen, can aggravate respiratory problems, and is harmful to the environment when disposed.  Try hand washing or spot-cleaning your “Dry-Clean Only” clothing, or look for a ‘green’ service.

Homemade Pumpkin Puree for Pies & Soups

Lots of fall recipes call for pumpkin puree, and while canned pumpkin is convenient, why not try making your own from scratch this year?

Begin with cutting a clean pumpkin in half and removing the seeds and pulp.

Baked: Brush the ‘meat’ surfaces with oil, then place facedown in a baking dish filled with 1-2 inches of water.  Bake at 350 for about 90 minutes.

Boiled:  Cut the pumpkin meat into cubes and boil in lighted salted water for about 25 minutes.

Steamed:  Cut the pumpkin meat into cubes and cook in a steamer or a colander placed over a pot of boiling water for about 50 minutes.

After cooking, let the pumpkin cool until it can be handled, and puree it in a food processor or mill.  Pumpkin meat contains a lot of water, so strain the puree before use or storage.   Line a sieve or mesh strainer with coffee filters or paper towels and place over a bowl.  Fill the sieve with pumpkin and let it drain for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Pumpkin puree can be frozen in freezer-safe containers or ice-cube trays.

What's all the fuss about...? Tankless Water Heaters

There has been a lot of talk in the media about a huge variety of new, “green” technology – from “smart” electrical grids to solar panels, fuel made from algae to hydrogen-powered vehicles.  The ideas for creating a more sustainable infrastructure are countless, but do they really work?  Over the next few months, From the Green Seat will introduce you to some of these technologies, talk about the pros and cons, and try to help you unravel the mysteries around “green” technology.

This month, tankless water heaters will be our subject.  “Tankless?  How the heck do you get hot water without a tank?”  Through a computer chip, that’s how!  Tankless, or on-demand, water heaters work through a series of sensors and a small computer that sends a signal to the heat source (gas or electric) when the tap is turned on.  Water flowing through the heating element heats up within a few seconds, sending hot water quickly to the tap.

The biggest benefit of a tankless heater is energy savings.  With a regular hot water tank, energy is expended constantly to maintain the temperature of the water stored in the tank.  And a lot of that energy is lost through “standby loss” – heat that escapes through the walls of the tank as water sits unused.  The U.S. Department of Energy estimates savings of up to 30% on the cost of heating water for a small household using a tankless system – savings may be less for larger families.

Another way to use a tankless heater is at point-of-use.  In larger houses, you may be able to save even more by installing a tankless system on each floor, or in heavy-use rooms like the kitchen or master bath, to reduce the amount of water left in the pipes between the heater and the taps.

Additional savings can be found in the long life of tankless systems.  Regular heaters may last up to 10 years; tankless heaters can last at least 20.  They are easier to repair than regular hot water tanks as well.

One downside to a tankless system is demand.  If you have a large family or house, one system may not provide enough hot water for multiple use points – someone taking a shower might get a cold surprise if the kitchen sink is turned on!  Hoewever this is also sometimes an issue with regular water tanks as well, and can be mitigated by using more than one heater.

Another con is installation.  Replacing your tank system with a tankless heater is, unfortunately, not a do-it-yourself project.  It requires extensive knowledge in plumbing and electrical work, and is best handled by a professional.  They also can be expensive – prices range from $600-$1500 depending on output rates and size.

Consumer Reports has an evaluation tool available on their website to help you determine if a tankless system is advantageous, or if you would be better served by a high-efficiency tank.  Click here.

Nature's Bucket List, Part 2

• Rocky Mountain National Park – Topping out at over 12,000 feet, Colorado’s mountains will take your breath away.  With 416 square miles to explore, you’ll find alpine meadows, show-stopping peaks, and crystal-clear rivers and lakes.


• Zion National Park – The red cliffs of Utah are home to a variety of wildlife, including 271 different species of birds.  The park is a sanctuary for adventurers too, with hiking trails, mountain biking, and equestrian trails throughout.


• Grand Teton National Park – This 484-square mile swath of Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains includes nine peaks over 12,000 feet, glacial lakes, and sweeping grasslands.


• Cuyahoga Valley National Park – The Erie Canal and 60-foot-tall Brandywine Falls provide the backdrop for one of the youngest national parks (founded in 2000).  An unlikely sight is an old junkyard, which has been turned into a refuge for beavers.


• Acadia National Park – The first area of protected land that would become a national park, Maine’s vast forests, rocky Atlantic shoreline, and old carriage roads provide a beautiful backdrop for the state’s famous fall foliage.

Source: The Daily Green

Tailgating Made Green

At the next home game, try these ideas for a greener tailgate party:

1. Localize the Food. Rather than serving the typical foods (frozen burgers, bags of chips, etc.) look for local options. Search your local farmers markets and grocery stores for foods like organic or locally grown beef, chicken or pork for the grill, potatoes and eggs for homemade potato salad, or veggies for burger toppings.

2. Pick Better Disposables. Forget about the standard plastic cups and paper plates. There are so many better options out there today like compostable paper goods and bio-based cutlery.  Check out the “Bare” line of picnic goods from Solo, sold at Target.

3. Make Trash Talk Easy. Instead of making it easy for everyone to toss all of their paper plates, bottles and such in the trash, make it easy for them to compost, recycle, and then, as a last resort, trash.  Set up bins, buckets, or bags and clearly label them.  And be sure to drop it off at the recycling center on your way home.

Source: Treehugger

Nature's Bucket List, Part 1

Did you know that over 5% of the land in the United States is preserved and protected from development?  Don’t be the last to see these top ten most visited parks – they’re on this list for good reason!

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park – In the heart of Appalachia on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the park boasts 800 miles of hiking trails, countless waterfalls, and a wide variety of recreation opportunities.


• The Grand Canyon – You can see a million photos, but the Arizona canyon will still make your jaw drop when you see it in person.  The Colorado River not only created this natural wonder, it also guarantees an exciting experience with whitewater rafting and hiking opportunities.


• Yosemite National Park – Located in central California, the granite cliffs, giant sequoia trees, and breathtaking scenery make this park a must for adventurous climbers and sightseeing families alike.


• Yellowstone National Park – Home to the geyser called Old Faithful, free-roaming bison, elk, and bears, and a spectacular western landscape, Yellowstone is one of the best-known parks in the country.


• Olympic National Park – Nature abounds on the Washington peninsula; rocky beaches, rainforest valleys, glacier-capped mountains, all within one park.

Source: The Daily Green