Hear the latest on what's happening to our world from a prominent Oregon climatologist Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

I desperately need to take a gardening class. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

The Ban the Bag coalition will speak out at City Hall about the environmental impact of plastic bags. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

Never before had I e-mailed strangers for a ride. What if someone actually responds? I thought as I clicked send. Am I really going to drive somewhere with someone I've never met? But the whole experience couldn't have been more civilized. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

Program is open only to homeowners whose annual household income is 60 percent or less of the statewide median and must be ENERGY STAR appliances. The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/oregonian/index.html

On vacation, columnist Carrie Sturrock will return in mid-July. The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/oregonian/index.html

Close the curtains and swap out incandescent bulbs to make your house cooler. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

Go out to where the fruit grows and save what you can't eat. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

Turn your yard into a beautiful, ediblle space Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

You'll have to learn to do the ballet with the cord, but an electric mower is greener than gas. Best of all: push it yourself Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

A new Environmental Defense Fund campaign calls for reform of the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

Metro has a great recycling hotline and a photographic list of what can and can't go in the blue curbside bin. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

The notion of a community garden fit nicely into Intel's Great Place to Work program, which offers everything from on-site dry cleaning and free coffee to college scholarships and reimbursement for adoption-related expenses. The program's goal, says Bill MacKenzie, communications manager: "Make employees feel happy and appreciated." Katy Muldoon, The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/kmuldoon/index.html

As I recently learned, the "technology" that corrects my errors is actually another resident of Portland whose job is made much, much harder by busted plastic highchair trays and other items that don't belong in the curbside recycle bin. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

The ultimate goal is to convince state lawmakers, Congress and President Barack Obama to nix any expansion of offshore oil drilling and pass legislation that creates subsidies and tax incentives for clean and renewable energy sources. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's record-keeping brings a little perspective to Portland's chillly spring. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

Readers' suggestions for non-toxic lice remedies and ways to save money on the Cetaphil treatment. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

"Green Gone Wrong" strengthens the idea that the solution isn't about buying the right green stuff, but buying less stuff period. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

Lice are not an indicator of poor hygiene, and there are treatments out there that don't include pesticide shampoos. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html

Of the 500 it examined on the market this year, it can recommend only 8 percent. Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/carriesturrock/index.html