By John Ackerly
The Alliance for Green Heat

Maryland, like many states, provides generous grants to families who can afford solar, geothermal and wind systems. The only major renewable left out of Maryland's programs is wood for heat, despite the existence of modern, clean burning systems like pellet and corn stoves and advanced wood combustion (AWC) that are popular in Europe.

The central act of living, that children naturally understand, is to deeply value all things and to seek to be a part of their wondrous, mysterious ways of being.

by Bill Hutchins

At a green building conference recently,  the moderator of a breakout session asked what steps we can take to "build greener." Someone responded, "Install solar panels." Someone else suggested we "super-insulate." Another replied "build with local materials."

Appreciating those as important considerations, and with some trepidation, I raised my hand and said, "Don't build."

Granted, it seems odd for an architect who makes his living from building to recommend not building. But I went on to say that perhaps 80 percent of the projects we've done over the last 20 years didn't "need" to happen.  I told the gathering that when I meet with clients who want to build an addition on their home these days, I often end up talking them out of building an addition at all.
Instead,  I encourage them to reconsider how they LIVE in the space they already have.

Dear EarthTalk: I’m “pro-solar” all the way for the sake of the environment, but solar power has not historically been very cost-effective. What innovations are coming down the pike that will bring costs down to make solar competitive with other energy sources?

EarthTalk (From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine)

Dear EarthTalk: What exactly does “not tested on animals” mean on a product, like a shampoo? Where can I find products that are completely not tested on animals and are also eco-friendly?

- James Masarech, via e-mail

Many consumer products go through precise testing to make sure they are safe and healthy for people and the environment before they are made available in the marketplace. The downside is that many of these tests make use of live animals.

EARTH TALK (From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine)

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that driving with soft tires wastes energy and results in more pollution?

- Nanci Graham, via e-mail

When tires are not inflated to the pounds per square inch (PSI) rating recommended by manufacturers, they are less “round” and require more energy to begin moving and to maintain speed. As such, under-inflated tires do indeed contribute to pollution and increase fuel costs.

The Voice features a Q & A column called Earth Talk, from E/The Environmental Magazine. Here's a recent submission.

There are many examples of climate change’s real and present impact. For one, the 20 hottest years since record keeping began in the 1880s have all occurred since 1983, and until this year 2005 was the hottest year ever. Now, according to a new U.S. climate report, 2006 is well on its way to taking the top spot.

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that nothing really “biodegrades” in a landfill?

— Laura, via e-mail