This measures how much rainfall hit the writer's house. You can get one from the South Florida Water Management District.

GREEN SOLUTIONS

Last week, my rain gauge recorded more than 3 inches of rain in my Lower Keys yard. Finally, we got rain. My plants soaked it up and they look vibrant again.

My two rain barrels are now overflowing and I wish I had a third. Despite this, I continue to have water woes. The problem is the water we use inside the house.

Posted - Friday, June 08, 2012 11:00 AM EDT

The ban on DDT is credited with helping the bald eagle rebound from near extinction.

EARTHTALK

Dear EarthTalk: I understand there is good news about the recovery of bird species like the peregrine falcon, bald eagle and others owed to the 1972 ban on DDT. Can you explain?

Posted - Saturday, June 02, 2012 11:00 AM EDT

David Leach, a driver for the Monroe County Domestic Abuse Shelter, takes some surplus chairs, a book case and table from The Nature Conservancy, demonstrating how to reuse unneeded items.

GREEN SOLUTIONS

Good news: The recycling rate for Monroe County increased to 21 percent in 2010, an 11 percent increase from 2009.

Posted - Friday, May 11, 2012 11:00 AM EDT

EARTHTALK

Dear EarthTalk: Cuba just began drilling for oil not far from U.S. shores and hopes to become a major exporter. What ramifications will this have for the environment?

Posted - Friday, May 04, 2012 04:16 PM EDT

Shirley Gun

GREEN SOLUTIONS

World Water Day on March 22, as designated by the United Nations, reminded me of when my husband and I would go cruising on our 32-foot sailboat and how important fresh water became.

Posted - Friday, April 13, 2012 11:00 AM EDT

By LARRY KAHN

A Marathon duplex gets a lot of shade from this tree, helping to keep the energy bill down.

When it comes to energy in the Keys, solar can go both ways: You can install solar panels to power your home to reduce or eliminate your monthly electric bill -- or the sun can heat up your house so much that your bill is sky high.

Posted - Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:48 AM EDT

The writer shows her relocated raised garden. Citing less success than last year, she plans to move it back to its previous location.

Location, location, location. Realtors know the value of this and so should gardeners. Better a modest home in a good location than a grander house in a bad location.

Posted - Friday, March 09, 2012 11:00 AM EST

Dear EarthTalk: I read that car makers had agreed to up fuel economy standards to an average of about 55 mpg by 2025, and that specifics were due to be hammered out by the end of 2011. Did this happen and where do things stand now?

Posted - Saturday, March 03, 2012 11:00 AM EST

By TIM CHAPMAN

Enma Saiz, who owns this house in Pinecrest and her husband Hadi Yaziji, have made a big investment by putting enough solar panels on the home to power everything they need. A good start for a novice is a solar water heater.

GREEN SOLUTIONS

Solar water heating is a technology that every homeowner can use to save dollars on utility bills. Questions most frequently addressed to the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa about solar water heating are answered below.

Posted - Saturday, February 18, 2012 09:00 AM EST

Paper or plastic? How about neither.

I have joined the ranks of people who go nowhere without their shopping bags. My collection includes grocery-store bags purchased at the checkout and more interesting ones gifted to me by friends and family. Even my husband, who wouldn't normally carry any bag, has his own manly versions purchased from a dive shop and home improvement store.

Posted - Saturday, February 11, 2012 11:00 AM EST