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Why battle against the Earth to force it to produce products that naturally wouldn’t flourish? As a different approach, permaculture mimics natural ecosystems to maximize food production as well as create sustainable human settlements. Extending beyond farming practices, permaculture is a philosophy and set of ethics for how we can beneficially coexist with the environment. Read on…

Across most of the US, it costs at least $1000 a year to heat a single-family home—and it can exceed $2,000 in the coldest climates. Besides putting a strain on family finances, high heating bills often indicate a negative environmental impact. That’s because many homes are heated with non-renewable, carbon-based fuels like natural gas and oil. The average annual CO₂ emissions from a home heated with natural gas are around 6,400 pounds—more than three tons. And CO₂ emissions from oil-heated homes are even higher. Read on...

A great wood stove is like the perfect life partner: it makes you feel warm inside and out, while being romantic, reliable and low-maintenance. It’s also environmentally friendly and economical. Whether you want to heat your entire house or warm up a room, choosing the right wood stove makes all the difference. Here’s what you need to know before committing. Read on…

A few days ago, I was reminded of the strength of tea tree oil when I accidentally spilled a few drops on a freshly painted dresser. Within moments, it ate through the paint. Whoever says that natural products aren’t as potent as their artificial counterparts has yet to encounter the powerhouse that is tea tree oil. Just one whiff of this essential oil’s harsh medicinal smell is enough to clue you in to its might. Read on…

If you’ve experienced a hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster, you know firsthand about the accompanying loss of life and property. But natural disasters also take their toll on the environment in ways both apparent and insidious. Widely strewn garbage and wreckage often change the look and feel of a place; sometimes even the most familiar areas are rendered unrecognizable. With hurricanes and tornadoes, there is also defoliation. And in the case of flood, tsunami, volcanic eruption and earthquake, the ground itself can be redistributed—modifying the actual topography. Read on...