Do you eat food? If you said yes, then this video is for you. Here’s why…13 percent of the nation’s trash is food. And keeping food out of landfills is important because in there they create potent greenhouse gases. What can you do? Let Umbra show you how to compost the easy way – with and without worms! Fun for city or suburb. With guest appearances from comedian David Cross and rocker Brett Dennen. Special thanks to Brett Dennen [www.brettdennen.net] and to CLIF BAR GreenNotes [www.clifgreennotes.com], which helps artists like Brett Dennen reduce the environmental impact of their tours. They also encourage music fans to take action -- find out what they're doing, and join in! COMPOSTING LINKS: Ask Umbra on How to Start Your Own Compost http://www.grist.org/article/rot-n-roll Umbra on Compost and Climate (Global Worming!) http://www.grist.org/article/global-worming Umbra on Composting with Worms http://www.grist.org/article/bin-there-dung-that

Do you eat food? If you said yes, then this video is for you. Here’s why…13 percent of the nation’s trash is food. And keeping food out of landfills is important because in there they create potent greenhouse gases. What can you do? Let Umbra show you how to compost the easy way – with and without worms! Fun for city or suburb. With guest appearances from comedian David Cross and rocker Brett Dennen. Special thanks to Brett Dennen [www.brettdennen.net] and to CLIF BAR GreenNotes [www.clifgreennotes.com], which helps artists like Brett Dennen reduce the environmental impact of their tours. They also encourage music fans to take action -- find out what they're doing, and join in! COMPOSTING LINKS: Ask Umbra on How to Start Your Own Compost http://www.grist.org/article/rot-n-roll Umbra on Compost and Climate (Global Worming!) http://www.grist.org/article/global-worming Umbra on Composting with Worms http://www.grist.org/article/bin-there-dung-that

You say you want a revolution? Well here’s your chance! Cause trouble for a cause during this fall’s climate-action days – and show our world leaders you’re hot for progress. Umbra Fisk shows you how, and highlights climate-changing pranks and ideas from the Yes Men, Wyclef Jean, Tim DeChristopher, and others to inspire your own civil disobedience. "Ask Umbra" is the first video series produced by GristTV. Look for new video tips for greening your life from Umbra nearly every week. Watch it on the go! Subscribe to GristTV video podcasts [http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=292508451] via iTunes. Check these links for climate action resources on Grist: LINKS: Become a Grist Climate Citizen http://www.grist.org/article/2009-finding-activist-groups How To Get Involved in the Fight Against Climate Change http://www.grist.org/article/2009-finding-activist-groups Get civil and disobedient with these links: Join the largest international climate action in history on October 24th. www.350.org Sign the climate pledge of resistance! www.beyondtalk.net For tips on how to take culture jamming climate action, check out the Yes Men Challenge: http://challenge.theyesmen.org/ Civil Disobedience and Tim DeChrisotpher, the Climate Action Bidder http://www.bidder70.org/ Get Your Own Climate Action Tool Kit from Greenpeace Here: https://secureusa.greenpeace.org/students/kits/files/92/10_24_Day_of_Action_Toolkit.pdf The Action Factory http://www.actionfactories.org/ Act for Climate Justice http://www.actforclimatejustice.org/

Common knowledge tells us there’s no free lunch. But you can have a guilt-free lunch, thank to Umbra Fisk’s recipe for mid-day munchers everywhere. You won’t have to swallow your pride -- you can eat well, save money, and help this juicy planet we call home. "Ask Umbra" is the first video series produced by GristTV. Look for new video tips for greening your life from Umbra nearly every week. Watch it on the go! Subscribe to GristTV video podcasts [http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=292508451] via iTunes. Feed your mind with these links from the Grist archives Meet the Lunch Lady Maverick chef Ann Cooper aims to spark a nationwide school-lunch revolution http://www.grist.org/article/lunch_lady/ Back to School http://www.grist.org/article/back-to-school Other cool, useful lunch LINKS: http://www.reusablebags.com/

Teachers, books and dirty looks! School is back in session. Umbra takes a trip to College of the Atlantic, the first carbon neutral campus in the country to see what green things they’re up to. She gives tips you can use on your campus and gives out a gold star too. Fill your mind with these Grist links: A Green Cheat Sheet for Back to School http://www.grist.org/article/2009-09-02-back-to-school-green-cheat-sheet/ Goody for U 15 Ways Campuses are Going Greener http://www.grist.org/article/15ways/ A Grist Special Series on Eco-Activism http://www.grist.org/article/intro2 SYLLABUS: (should we link to our amazon account? And or add more books?) Wake Up and Smell the Planet, Grist Deep Economy, Bill McKibben Silent Spring, Rachel Carson The Green Collar Economy, by Van Jones Big Coal, by Jeff Goodell

First there were Free Hugs. Now there are Bee Hugs for everyone! But what if there were no bees left to hug? Colony collapse disorder is causing bees to disappear in droves. And if they go, we all go. Umbra,on her best bee-havior, talks with New York City's Bee Manto get the buzz on how we can all help -- then takes to the streets for some honey-lovin' hijinks. Pollinate your mind with these links from the Grist archives Umbra on organic honey http://www.grist.org/article/the-bees-needs1 EPA knuckleheads hide info on pesticide implicated in colony collapse disorder http://www.grist.org/article/no-way-to-bee/ A longtime beekeeper's take on colony collapse http://www.grist.org/article/eco-farm-buzz-kill/ Urban Bees in Chicago http://www.grist.org/article/regeneration-roadtrip-shouting-green-from-the-rooftops Check out these links on Rooftop Honey and protecting the bees: For rooftop honey from New York’s Bee Man, David Graves http://www.berkshireberries.com/ The Honey Bee Conservancy http://www.thehoneybeeconservancy.org/The_Hive.html Check out the Ne’er Do Evers and their tunes here: http://www.neerdos.com/ For free hugs and inspiration: http://freehugcampaign.org

Bee hugs for everyone! But what if there were no bees left to hug? Colony collapse disorder is causing bees to disappear in droves. And if they go, we all go. Umbra,on her best bee-havior, talks with New York City's Bee Manto get the buzz on how we can all help -- then takes to the streets for some honey-lovin' hijinks. "Ask Umbra" is the first video series produced by GristTV. Look for new video tips for greening your life from Umbra nearly every week. Watch it on the go! Subscribe to GristTV video podcasts [http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=292508451] via iTunes. Pollinate your mind with these links from the Grist archives Umbra on organic honey http://www.grist.org/article/the-bees-needs1 EPA knuckleheads hide info on pesticide implicated in colony collapse disorder http://www.grist.org/article/no-way-to-bee/ A longtime beekeeper's take on colony collapse http://www.grist.org/article/eco-farm-buzz-kill/ Urban Bees in Chicago http://www.grist.org/article/regeneration-roadtrip-shouting-green-from-the-rooftops Check out these links on Rooftop Honey and protecting the bees: For rooftop honey from New York’s Bee Man, David Graves http://www.berkshireberries.com/ The Honey Bee Conservancy http://www.thehoneybeeconservancy.org/The_Hive.html For Free Hugs and Inspiration http://www.freehugscampaign.org Music by Ne'er Do Evers http://www.neerdos.com

You want to grow your own food, but you live in a cramped apartment. What to do? With some help from her friends, Umbra green thumbs it and shows you how to create your very own window farm! Indie rockers Rogue Wave drop by to offer green gardening tips too, as part of the CLIF Bar GreenNotes program. Grow more enlightened with these Grist links: Portrait of an artist as a climate activist (featuring window farmers Rebecca and Britta) [http://www.grist.org/article/2009-08-04-portrait-of-an-artist-as-a-climate-activist] Ask Umbra on composting in a small space [http://www.grist.org/article/bin-there-dung-that/] Ask Umbra's video advice on eating local in winter [http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-Local-On-Ice/] Check out these links on window farming and other urban gardening ideas Rebecca and Britta’s Window Farms [http://windowfarms.org/] How to create a window farm [http://our.windowfarms.org/2009/07/29/3-plant-air-lift-window-farm/] See a truck farm in action [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdP3g2aUPSA] Info on rooftop farms [http://rooftopfarms.org/] How to create a roof garden [http://vegetablegardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/create_a_roof_garden] Special thanks to Rogue Wave [http://www.roguewavemusic.com/] and to ClifBar GreenNotes [www.clifgreennotes.com], which helps artists like Rogue Wave reduce the environmental impact of their tours.

OK, so it's hotter than a firefighter eating hot wings out there. If you can’t take the heat, cool hunter Umbra Fisk is on the case. She advises on how to beat the heat while being kind to your wallet and the planet -- and weighs in on the eternal fan vs. AC dilemma. Fan-tastic! Umbra on Fans Vs. Air Conditioners http://www.grist.org/article/be-cool/ Umbra on Cooling Your Car http://www.grist.org/article/umbra-carcooling LINKS: Green Your Air Conditioner http://www.greenyour.com/home/appliances/air-conditioning/tips/choose-an-energy-star-air-conditioner?subject=573 Energy Star Model for Choosing the Right-sized fan http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=ceiling_fans.pr_ceiling_fans_basics#1 Find the right size air conditioner – http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_properly_sized

The freaks come out at night, and so do the cockroaches -– and lots of other pests. More than half of U.S. homes used insecticides to get rid of the buggers. But did you know those sprays can harm human health, pet health, and the environment? Umbra shows you how to kill the buzzing -- without being a planetary buzzkill. LINKS on Grist: Grist's guide to non-toxic pest control http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control Umbra on live trapping (for mice) http://www.grist.org/article/a-better-mousetrap Umbra on mosquitoes http://www.grist.org/article/umbra-mosquitos

Firing up the grill this summer? You and 60 million other flesh-flippers. Our annual U.S. grill-a-palooza releases 225,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide -- enough to power 20,000 homes for a year! Umbra cooks up some tips for lightening the impact of your bun fun. LINKS On Grist: Green Guide to Grilling http://www.grist.org/article/greenguide-grilling/ Umbra’s Advice on Eco-Friendly Grilling http://www.grist.org/article/umbra-bbq A Guide to Grilling Without Red Meat http://www.grist.org/article/meatless_grill Recycled Reusable Plates and Other Grill Necessities CUPS - http://www.econsciousmarket.com/home_grist.php?command=product_grist&product=1550&vendorid=143 PLATES – http://www.econsciousmarket.com/home_grist.php?command=product_grist&product=1538&vendorid=143 Other links: How-To Buy Eco-Friendly Charcoal on Greenyour.com http://www.greenyour.com/lifestyle/food-drink/barbecue/tips/buy-eco-friendly-charcoal Naked Whiz’s Lump Charcoal Databasehttp://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpindexpage.htm?bag

Wearing sunscreen is a must in summer -- but it can also be a bummer. Did you know conventional sunscreen can be toxic to your body and the planet? Umbra looks on the bright side, slathering on advice for finding a sunscreen that's eco-friendly and effective. GRIST LINKS: Come Fry With Me: Grist Sunscreen Product Tester http://www.grist.org/article/2009-06-03-test-seven-eco-sunscreen/ THE LOTION IN THE OCEAN http://grist.org/cgi-bin/search.pl?query=sunscreen&gristtitle=&gristauthor=&dr_o=12&dr_s_mon=2&dr_s_day=18&dr_s_year=2009&dr_e_mon=2&dr_e_day=18&dr_e_year=2009&gristcat=Search+All&sort=swishrank&submit=Search LINKS: Environmental Working Group Sunscreen Database http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/findyoursunscreen.php The Green Guide on Sunscreen http://www.thegreenguide.com/buying-guide/sunscreen Staying Green in the Sun Slate - http://www.slate.com/id/2218948/

It's hot, it's steamy, and you do it every day. Shower, that is. But are you getting wet in the most eco-friendly way? Umbra Fisk drops some nozzle knowledge that'll make your shower greener -- and keep your hard-earned money from going down the drain. Show Notes: On Long Hot Showers - http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2008/04/02/index.html On Peeing in the Shower - http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2007/03/21/shower-urine/index.html On Greening Your Bathroom http://www.grist.org/advice/how/2008/11/11/index.html To BUY Eco-Friendly Towels, Bath Mats and Shower Curtains visit: http://www.econsciousmarket.com/home_grist.php?command=product_grist&id=2&subid=16&ssid=93 Take Grist’s Water Quiz/Skinny Dip Challenge http://apps.facebook.com/skinnydip/

World Oceans Day was celebrated on June 8, 2009 in New York City. Umbra interviews actress Amber Valletta and some of the Real Housewives from New York and New Jersery about how we can all help heal the Oceans.

It’s World Ocean Day and there’s commotion in the Ocean. If we all don’t start eating seafood in a sustainable way, the oceans may be out of fish by 2048. Three strikes and you’re trout. Or hear what Umbra has to say about what’s on your plate and in the ocean. You’ll want to follow these guidelines hook, line and sinker. Umbra on Tuna and Mercury http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-06-umbra-on-tuna-and-mercury Umbra on Seafood http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2006/12/20/choices/ Director of Seafood Choices Alliances http://www.grist.org/comments/interactivist/2007/02/26/boots/index.html OTHER LINKS: Join Oceana to help protect the World’s oceans. Oceana.org Support the New York Aquarium http://www.nyaquarium.com/ Shrimp Suck! http://shrimpsuck.blogspot.com/ SEAFOOD GUIDES Blue Ocean Institute Seafood Guide - http://www.oceana.org/fileadmin/oceana/uploads/marketing/Web_color_seafood_guide.pdf iPhone App from the Monterey Bay Aquarium http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_iPhone.aspx Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Pocket Guides http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx Another cool guide for the visually inclined: http://neilbanas.com/seafood.html A Guide to Grocery Stores that Protect You From Mercury http://www.oceana.org/gl/

Let’s face it, the trouble with stubble is that it can be an ugly spot on our carbon footprint. Umbra Fisk shows you how to shave off some unnecessary hair-raising shaving habits. Show Notes: Ask Umbra On Shaving - http://www.grist.org/article/umbra-shaving On Shaving, Part II - http://www.grist.org/article/umbra-shaving2 How to find Recycled Yogurt Top Razors - http://www.preserveproducts.com/products/triplerazor.html

Help! The Grist staff is being forced to live at our Seattle headquarters until readers donate $50,000! Give now to spring us (and support the green news, analysis, and advice you love, of course).

Help! The Grist staff is being forced to live at our Seattle headquarters until readers donate $50,000! Give now to spring us (and support the green news, analysis, and advice you love, of course).

Do you hear them? Wedding bells! But you're not the one getting married -- this time. So focus instead on being the greenest guest you can be. Umbra Fisk proposes a few ideas. Grist Links Umbra on Wedding Presents http://www.grist.org/article/umbra-presents Umbra on Green Weddings http://www.grist.org/article/umbra-kauai Say "I do" to a Green Wedding on a Budget http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-13-say-i-do-green-wedding-budget/ Check out an online carbon calculator to get a sense of the footprint your travel to the wedding will create. http://www.terrapass.com/wedding/ http://www.nativeenergy.com/pages/portovert/168.php?afc=portovert http://www.carbonfund.org/weddings

Help! The Grist staff is being forced to live at our Seattle headquarters until readers donate $50,000! Give now to spring us (and support the green news, analysis, and advice you love, of course). https://www.grist.org/services/donate/index/myspace Grist is a nonprofit, which means we rely on the generosity of our viewers/readers to support our work. So from time to time we ask our readers to open their hearts -- and wallets -- and kick in a little dough. This is one of those times.