In 10,000 years, when archaeologists excavate the remnants of late 20th- and 21st-century civilization, they will find a dominant artifact: the plastic bottle. Americans throw away 60 million plastic bottles each day, most of which wind up in landfills. In response, several cities, including Minneapolis and San Francisco, are encouraging residents to wean themselves from […]
Lisa Sorg
Bio: Lisa Sorg is the editor of INDY Week.Email: [email protected]: http://twitter.com/lisasorg
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Biotech or biohazard?
Smallpox could be coming to Butner. Or anthrax. Or Rift Valley fever, which is passed from infected animals and biting insects to humans. It can cause its victims’ brains to swell and their organs to hemorrhage. Then they die. These are among the diseases that could be studied at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, […]
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SB 3 rolls alongbut with resistance
After a relatively smooth ride through Senate committees, renewable energy legislation packed with perks for utilities hit turbulence last week in the House Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee. After hours of debate, SB 3 passed favorably and now moves to the Public Utilities Committee. SB 3 contains controversial provisions for construction work in progress, known […]
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It’s enough to make you sick
The Triangle is home to at least a dozen labs that test or research infectious diseases. These labs are listed as Biosafety Level 3 facilities; they are required to have high-level safety controls, including double entry doors, special ventilation systems and protective gear and respirators for workers inside the lab. Level 3 labs may work […]
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Mulch madness
Plants parched? Bushes bushed? Garden grumpy? Local nonprofit and community groups can receive free leaf mulch and compost from Durham’s Department of Solid Waste Management. Churches, schools, homeowners’ associations, neighborhood groups and other nonprofits qualify. The city will give priority to groups that can pick up the mulch or compost, although delivery is available. After […]
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The million hog march; Renewables passes Senate
Besides world domination, Smithfield Packing Company could want little more than permission to slaughter a million more hogs each year (see “Big pig,” April 4). And the world’s largest packing plant got just that, when the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources renewed the wastewater permit for the Tar Heel facility. After the plant […]
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Feeling good about being used
How long could you go without buying anything new? A day? A year? An hour? Members of The Compact, a San Francisco-based cooperative with dozens of spin-off groups, pledge to purchase only recycled or used products for a year. The exceptions are items for health and safety, such as food, underwear and motor oil. Besides […]
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Capping greenhouse gases
Investigate Learn about the Greenhouse Effect Read Durham’s Greenhouse Gas Report (PDF, 851 KB) See which government buildings emit the most greenhouse gases (Quicktime, 1.3 MB) Measure your own greenhouse gas emissions (PDF, 8.6 MB) Read the goals of Durham’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Local Action Plan First, the bad news: Durham ranks well abovesometimes […]
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Getting hitchedthe green way
It’s not only your love that overfloweth at your wedding or commitment ceremony, but the garbage bins, too. For the more than 2 million U.S. couples saying their vows this year, there are simple ways to have a greener celebration. Print invitations, thank you notes and programs on 100 percent recycled paper; recycle any discarded […]
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Cut the carbon
Unless you plan to bike across the Western Hemisphere or swim to Europe or Asia, you’ll likely burn fossil fuels on your summer vacation. But you can offset your carbon emissions by paying a little extra to travel. Carbonfund.org allows you to choose a categorycar, plane or hometo mitigate your emissions. Travelocity.com offers a link […]