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That’s Bluedot Living editor Jim Miller posing by the roots of a coast redwood in Humboldt County, California. There are lots of gorgeous photos in Jim’s story about this county that boasts the world’s tallest trees, and which is trying to find the balance between increasing tourism to improve its economy and protecting its natural resources. “One way to help nature win is to support nature tourism,” Jim writes, “which shows skeptics that trees are more valuable standing than in sawmills.”

“In years past, I’ve often heard people obsess over polls that revealed how many Americans think climate change is real. They seemed convinced that if everyone could be made to believe, the crisis would be solved. But if people who believe climate change is real and pressing do nothing to address the problem, nothing happens. Not only is it unlikely that everyone will agree, it doesn’t matter whether they do, and it isn’t worth waiting for. There are still people who don’t believe that women are endowed with the same inalienable rights as men, and this hasn’t prevented us from creating policies that are based on the principle of equality between the sexes. What matters is that some of us act.”

– Rebecca Solnit, who writes in this Harper’s essay about the idea that one must change people’s minds in order to effect action. 

“What matters is that some of us act.” There’s a study that activists often cite that indicates that if only 3.5% of a population agitate for change, then it’s all but inevitable. While there’ve been some disputes about the actual figure, the point remains: it doesn’t make a majority. It doesn’t even take a significant minority. It does require a small but very determined percentage who refuse to give up, who take to the streets and demand change. Which should bolster all of us who remain determined to address our climate crisis. As the BBC reported, “Ordinary people, all the time, are engaging in pretty heroic activities that are actually changing the way the world – and those deserve some notice and celebration as well.”

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• Most Popular Recipe of 2024: Heirloom Tomato Tart

• Settle in For a Long Winter’s (Eco-Friendly) Nap

• What’s So Bad About Hunting?

• On the Troll Trail at Rhode Island’s Ninigret Park

• The Caretakers of the Gaviota Coast

FEATURED STORIES

BIG IDEAS AND LOCAL CHANGEMAKERS

Some of our most-read stories of 2024

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 Bluedot Living Kitchen

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Tart

Our most popular recipe this year was this colorful Heirloom Tomato Tart from Nicole Litvack. While most of us are awaiting summer tomatoes, many of us are lucky enough to live near farms growing them in hoop houses this winter.

What’s So Bad About Hunting?

When Bluedot contributor Christopher Lysik talked to us about living in Iowa alongside hunters, we suspected it would make a great installment to our What’s So Bad About … ? series where we dig into the nuances of sometimes difficult issues. The result is a fascinating journey through the history of both hunting and conservation in the U.S. and who we can thank for a lot of the public lands we all enjoy. 

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– Illustration by Elissa Turnbull

Dear Dot,

How long does leftover food last in a refrigerator? Is it important to cover or seal it, and why? 

– David

Dear David,

“Food” is a pretty broad category. Some “leftover food,” of course, lasts months, like peanut butter and salad dressings. But Dot assumes you mean leftover things you’ve cooked, like pasta, or chicken, or fish, or all those feasts from the holidays.

While we have already taken a careful look at the myths and misinformation around expiration dates, and we have provided a handy-dandy guide to avoiding food waste (proper storage is key), you are right to point out that we have not addressed either how long we might safely store leftovers in the fridge or how to store them appropriately. So let us take this opportunity to remedy that omission.

But first, experts consistently advise us to store food in “sealed airtight containers,” so let’s consider why. While airtight containers don’t actually prevent food from spoiling (bacteria exists within the container), they do prevent any spoilage from contaminating other food. But the real benefit of airtight containers is their ability to contain smells and hydration. A fridge is a dry environment — a good thing! — but we need only leave a sandwich or a piece of cheese unsealed in the fridge to understand the impact a fridge has on a food’s hydration. Airtight containers keep moisture — and odors — in! And … for how long do these  leftovers last in our airtight containers? That, of course, depends.

There’s plenty more Dot has to say. Read on!

Buy Better Marketplace: … And To All A Good Night! 

If you purchase anything via one of our links, including from Amazon, we may earn a small commission.

As we approach the end of the holiday season, many of us are in the same boat: There’s nothing we want more than to curl up in bed for a cozy, restful sleep. Days full of travel, family time, holiday festivities, and end-of-year crunches at work or school can sap your energy. Upgrade your bedtime relaxation rituals to go into the new year rested and recharged. – Julia Cooper

Outerknown Sweatpants

We love Outerknown for their high-quality, thoughtfully constructed garments that are designed to last a lifetime. Editor Julia Cooper recently gifted her partner a pair of their Sunday Sweatpants when their furnace broke earlier this month and he (unconvincingly) insisted that sleeping in jeans was perfectly comfortable. They’re heavy-duty, plush, and just tailored enough to convert a particularly stubborn sweatpants skeptic. Shop today or read more.

Numi Teas

A warm cup of herbal tea is a delightful way to wrap up a long, stressful day. Numi Teas are all USDA Organic, Fair Trade or Verified Labor Certified, and their whole operation is Climate Neutral Certified. With countless varieties to choose from, it’s easy to become a part of the Numi “communitea.” Shop today or read more.

ThriftBooks

Limiting screentime before bed is a great way to improve your sleep hygiene. Instead of scrolling through your phone checking emails or social media before your head hits the pillow, pick up a book! ThriftBooks’ enormous library is packed with affordable options, like Bluedot favorite read How to Do Nothing. Shop today or read more.

Pact Pajamas

Pact partners with Fair Trade USA, Global Organic Textile Standard, and SimpliZero to ensure their products and processes support both people and the planet. Their organic cotton loungewear makes for the perfect pajamas. Shop today or read more.

Boll & Branch Linen

Highly discerning Bluedot contributing editor Mollie Doyle calls Boll & Branch her preferred bedding. With six different sheet materials to choose from (percale, flannel, linen, chambray, signature, and reserve), you’re sure to find something to suit your personal textural preference. Shop today or read more.

The Keep-This Handbook

Did you get a new namaste during the holidays? If you have some old yoga gear, give it a new om, thanks to Bluedot’s Guide to Getting Rid of (Almost) Anything. 

Thanks, President Carter

We were sorry the other day to hear that President Jimmy Carter had died. What an inspiration he was, rolling up his sleeves post-presidency and building houses and devoting 10 acres of his own land for a solar array that would power close to half his hometown. 

During his administration he doubled the size of the National Park System when he signed into law the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. It made us smile to remember that he had solar panels installed on the White House roof. NPR reports that at the solar panel unveiling, Carter told reporters, “A generation from now, this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken, or it can be just a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people.”

Though the panels were removed during the administration following his (and ultimately reused by a college in Maine), Carter is often credited with helping lay the foundation for today’s climate action. We’re grateful for his example. 

Happy New Year, and we’ll see you in two weeks.

–Jamie Kageleiry and Leslie Garrett

Editors

Write us at editor@bluedotliving.com

Jamie Kageleiry, a longtime magazine and newspaper editor from Martha’s Vineyard, says her favorite spot on earth is out on a kayak there, looking at birds.

Leslie Garrett has been covering climate stories for close to two decades.  She divides her time between London, Ontario, and Massachusetts. She’s still figuring out her favorite spot but it’s definitely near the water.

Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com

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