sustainability
Burn Notice-safe and sustainable fireplace practices
One of the charms of winter is enjoying t
he warmth and glow of indoor fireplaces and wood stoves. It also emphasizes the need for sustainable, safe and healthy practices— especially when it comes to maintaining air quality. Try to buy wood from providers that use good forest management practices such as harvesting during sustainable months, reports WoodHeat.org. Environmentally sound woodlot operations include thinning out dying, less desirable and damaged trees, and including a blend of species. “Have a high-efficiency, properly installed stove that meets local building codes that’s sized for the area to be heated,” says Brad Harr, senior environmental scientist and president of Summit Environmental Inc., in Boise, Idaho. “Use dry, 10 to 12 percent wood moisture. Water sucks up heat to get to combustion temperature. Run at high heat, generally over 1,000° F in the firebox, to effect complete combustion of the wood and gases.” Denser woods such as ironwood, rock elm, hickory, oak and sugar maple burn longer and conserve resources. Use a higher British thermal unit (BTU) per cord of wood to maximize heat production. (WorldForestIndustries.com has tips per region.) Harr adds, “Don’t starve the fire to extend burning time, as smoldering can cause incomplete combustion.” This leads to more carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) being released that can cause flu-like symptoms. and at high levels. unconsciousness and even death. To help maintain proper airflow and prevent soot buildup, shovel excess ash into a covered metal container, store it outside and dispose of it in a few days. Smelling smoke can indicate the fireplace may be backdrafting and needs to be inspected. Harr also suggests checking periodically for potential cracks or rusting in the joints of a stovepipe. Make sure children and the elderly don’t accidentally touch the stove while in use and keep furniture a suitable distance away. Periodic inspections by a professional can address potentially dangerous creosote (tar deposit) accumulations, assure the catalytic converter is operating correctly and detect trapped debris in escape shafts that can force toxic gases back into the home and clog spark-arresting screens on tops of stovepipes or chimneys. If buying a new unit, make sure it’s U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified, which requires two-thirds less wood to generate heat and emits fewer harmful particles―two to seven grams per hour―compared with 15 to 30 grams for models manufactured before 1992, according to MotherEarthLiving.com.
Sustainability Section sponsored by Sunshine Renewable Solutions
Repurposing Weeds
Pond Plants Offer Protein Strategy Fast-growing lemna, or duckweed, a flowering green plant that blooms on the surface of still and slow-moving bodies of water that is often mistaken for algae, is finding new utility as a protein source. California-based Plantible Foods claims that duckweed, traditionally the enemy of pond owners, is superior to other alternative proteins like pea, wheat and soy. The unusual crop naturally contains higher amounts of the complete protein RuBisCo and is easier to digest than some other popular plant proteins. It can be used as a substitute for egg white, is free of the top eight allergens and has a neutral color and taste. Due to its rapid growth, duckweed is less vulnerable to climate change. Plantible Foods co-founder Tony Martens says that duckweed grows reliably and can typically be harvested daily, no matter what the weather may be.
Animal Rescue
Government Order Reduces Animal Testing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler has signed a directive reducing the animal testing that the agency has long required on such animals as dogs, birds, rats and fish to gauge the toxicity of chemicals before they can be bought, sold or used in the environment. The agency also authorized $4.25 million in funding for five universities to research the development and use of alternative test methods and strategies that reduce, refine or replace vertebrate animal testing. He says, “Today’s memo directs the agency to aggressively reduce animal testing, including reducing mammal study requests and funding 30 percent by 2025 and completely eliminating them by 2035.” Any mammal studies requested or funded by the EPA after 2035 will require administrator approval on a case-by-case basis. It directs leadership and staff in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and the Office of Research and Development to prioritize and direct existing resources toward measurable impacts in the reduction of animal testing while ensuring protection of human health and the environment.
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