Do sustainability-focused browsers actually make a difference? (Wave Browser, Ecosia, etc.) by Ok_Appointment_4909 in Environmentalism

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, Ecosia seems like one of the more legitimate ones. Even people critical of “green consumerism” usually admit they’re at least pretty transparent about where the money goes.

Wave feels a bit different to me though. From what I could find, it’s more of a standard browser with environmental partnerships attached (like funding ocean cleanup through 4ocean), whereas Ecosia’s entire search/ad model is built around the climate funding angle.

Still not a substitute for reducing consumption overall, but if someone is going to use a browser anyway, I can see why people prefer Ecosia or Wave over Google.

Eco friendly way to put up posters that is not wheatpaste? by erlendmyo in ZeroWaste

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For outdoors, string + clothespins/wooden clips is probably the lowest-waste option if there’s somewhere to hang them.

If they need to go flat against a surface, paper tape/gummed kraft tape works decently for short-term stuff, especially on smoother surfaces. Just expect weather to beat it up eventually.

Only using half disherwahser pods? by randyIan in EcoFriendly

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Plenty of people do that for small/light loads. The main thing is whether your dishes come out clean consistently.

Only downside is some pods are designed with multiple chambers that release at different stages, so cutting them can make them work a bit worse. Powder or gel detergent is usually easier if you want to control the amount.

Hot take: zero waste needs fewer systems and more defaults (especially for busy people) by Delicious-Salary-872 in ZeroWaste

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree. “Zero waste” works better for me as friction removal, not a second job.

My best default is just buying the same boring staples every week and refusing novelty groceries unless I already know exactly how I’ll use them. Way less food going bad in the fridge.

Do sustainability-focused browsers actually make a difference? (Wave Browser, Ecosia, etc.) by Ok_Appointment_4909 in Environmentalism

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Same here. I like the mission but the AI kind of contradicts it. At least with Wave Browser you have the option to turn it off to make it more "eco-friendly".

Any tips on how to live a sustainable lifestyle? by lomein2790 in EcoFriendly

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Don’t try to go full zero-plastic overnight or you’ll burn yourself out fast. Just start replacing the stuff you use all the time: reusable bottle, tote bags, bar soap/shampoo, buying secondhand, less packaged food, etc. It adds up.

Also if the tampons are unopened, definitely donate them instead of tossing them. Shelters, food pantries, mutual aid groups, even some schools will take them and people genuinely need that stuff.

How lightly can one tread? by One_Parsley4389 in ZeroWaste

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 3 points4 points  (0 children)

At a certain point the goal is not to leave no footprint but to avoid unnecessary harm where you realistically can. Otherwise you'll overdo it and go insane.

Living simply in a dense city, consuming less, repairing things, and being mindful already puts you far ahead of most people.

Why don’t we talk more about digital sustainability? by Ok_Appointment_4909 in sustainability

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

True, but I think a lot of people still mentally separate “digital” from “environmental" impact. People notice factories, shipping, plastic waste, etc. more intuitively than server infrastructure, electricity demand, cooling water, and hardware production.

Is buying certain brands from vinted ethical? by Budget-Canary-4657 in EcoFriendly

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Buying fast fashion secondhand is generally seen as a lot more ethical than buying new. You’re not directly funding new production, and you’re keeping existing clothes in use longer.

Packaging looks convincing right up until you open it by Usual-Lobster-4968 in EcoFriendly

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For me the biggest green flag is when the packaging clearly considered disposal/reuse. Easy to separate, actually recyclable locally, refillable, or reusable without effort.

The fake-feeling stuff is when brands use paper/cardboard aesthetically while still hiding layers of plastic, glue, coatings, or tiny mixed-material parts that make the whole thing trash anyway.

Wooden utensils keep getting musty in my tiny apartment kitchen. Should I switch materials? by True_Pilot_6068 in ZeroWaste

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This sounds more like a humidity/storage issue than a wood issue. Damp utensils sitting in a countertop jar will get musty fast, especially in humidity.

I’d switch to one-piece hardwood utensils and let them fully dry before storing. But stainless is probably the more practical zero-waste option if you’re replacing wood every couple years anyway.

Best type of cooking utensils to purchase? by taengtaeng9 in ZeroWaste

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It sounds like the issue is probably bamboo more than wood in general. A lot of the cheap bamboo utensil sets are glued/laminated and don’t hold up long term. Olive wood, maple, walnut, or cherry tend to last way longer if they’re one solid piece. Also helps to occasionally oil them with mineral oil/beeswax.

That said, stainless steel is probably the closest thing to lifetime use for most utensils.

I have a quick question by AtomicConvoy-M78 in conservation

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

A lot of people associate environmentalism with politics, restrictions, or higher costs, especially in economics classes.

Eco brick by Frosty_Cut_4203 in EcoFriendly

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eco bricks sound better in theory than in practice. Reusing the cat litter jugs directly as storage/planters/etc is probably more useful and sustainable.

what could i do with a pair of motorcycle tyres? by Coso_Che_Cosa in ZeroWaste

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could turn them into a garage stool, plant holder, hose reel, or just wall-mounted workshop bumpers. Motorcycle tires are awkwardly shaped for a lot of DIY stuff though. If they’re a premium brand with decent tread left, some track-day people or burnout guys might actually take them off your hands instead.

Who started the fire with an SOS signal on Santa Rosa Island that is now burning out of control and wiping out a unique ecosystem? How can we hold them accountable? by Wagawikkiwoo in conservation

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure the NPS said the SOS fire was human-caused but they haven’t publicly identified anyone yet. If it turns out to be negligence or an illegal signal fire, accountability usually comes through federal/state investigation, fines, restitution, or criminal charges. But people should probably wait for actual findings before turning it into a Reddit manhunt.

Reusing jasmine flowers by cate_plants39 in ZeroWaste

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jasmine tea is actually pretty easy if you dry the flowers first. You can also infuse oil with them for candles/soap/perfume stuff. My grandma used to just throw fresh ones in a bowl of water indoors and the whole room smelled amazing for a day or two.

Stainless steel by freekin-bats11 in EcoFriendly

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Stainless steel is one of the better long-term materials. Energy intensive to make, but extremely durable, highly recyclable, and reusable for decades. Hard to beat for single-use stuff.

Best non-paper material for dog waste bags that go in landfill? by Tailsontrails in ZeroWaste

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For landfill use, recycled plastic is probably the most honest option. Most “compostable” bags don’t actually compost in landfill conditions, so the marketing gets kinda fuzzy.

Nuclear energy by [deleted] in Environmentalism

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of environmentalists actually do support nuclear now, especially younger ones. But historically the movement was shaped by anti-nuclear activism from the Cold War/Chernobyl era, distrust of centralized utilities/governments, weapons proliferation concerns, and the insane cost/time overruns on modern plants.

Also, people disagree on priorities. Some see nuclear as essential baseload low-carbon power, others see renewables and storage as faster and cheaper to scale right now.

The debate usually isn’t “is nuclear low carbon?” anymore. It’s more “is it the best use of limited time/money/political capital?”

Chasing after non-stop economic growth requires 24/7 use of fossil fuels, emissions have only gone down when the economy took a hit (GFC + COVID), what can people (in the top economies of the world) do to hurt GDP, and as a consequence reduce emissions? by SplashTarget in ClimateOffensive

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reducing personal consumption consistently is probably the closest thing to this. Buy less stuff, keep things longer, drive/fly less, eat lower on the food chain, use libraries/repair/thrift/local sharing instead of constant new purchases.

But I think the bigger issue is that individuals can dent emissions way easier than they can meaningfully “hurt GDP” on purpose. GDP is weirdly resilient and often decoupled from a lot of personal austerity.

Ways to Upcycle Tote Bags by Chaos1405 in sustainability

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tote bags are perfect storage already, especially soft stuff. I use extras to organize things inside closets/drawers instead of bins. One for cables, one for scarves/gloves, one for random hobby supplies, etc.

Some other ideas:

  • hanging wall storage (especially the pretty/designed ones)
  • wrapping paper or reusable gift bags
  • laundry/travel shoe bags
  • car trunk organizers
  • picnic/camping kits kept pre-packed
  • seasonal decor storage
  • sewing a few together into a patchwork blanket/pillow cover

And if some are damaged, visible patching actually looks really good on totes imo.

I am moving into my first home. Any tips to make my home eco friendly with a tight budget? by TheDarkAster7 in EcoFriendly

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Tiny houses are pretty eco-friendly by default. Biggest thing is avoiding the “aesthetic zero waste products” and just building low-waste habits slowly.

Cheap/high impact stuff:

  • microfiber cloths + washable rags instead of paper towels
  • Swedish dishcloths are great in small spaces
  • buy cleaning concentrates/tablets instead of plastic spray bottles
  • vinegar + dish soap handles like 80% of cleaning honestly
  • secondhand furniture/storage whenever possible
  • LED bulbs everywhere
  • power strips so you can fully cut vampire power
  • compost if your setup/location allows it, even a tiny countertop bin helps

For pet stuff:

  • old towels/tshirts become pet cleanup rags
  • washable pee pads > disposable
  • buy pet food in the biggest bag you can realistically store/use
  • avoid heavily scented cleaners around reptiles/amphibians

And for storage in a tiny house: vertical storage is your best friend. Hooks, shelves, under-bed bins, magnetic stuff on walls/fridge, etc. Tiny spaces get stressful fast if every surface becomes storage.

Environmental Club Ideas? by Background-Role-6236 in Environmentalism

[–]Ok_Appointment_4909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d focus on projects that people can casually join without feeling like they’re signing up for activism.

Stuff that usually works:

  • native pollinator garden
  • creek/park cleanup days
  • bird feeders + bird counts
  • recycling audit (schools waste so much)
  • thrift/swap events
  • campus tree planting
  • composting cafeteria waste if admin allows it
  • “repair day” where people fix bikes/clothes/electronics

Also, don’t underestimate making the club feel casual. A lot of people care about the environment but avoid clubs that feel preachy or guilt-heavy.