A couple articles this week point out how instead of disparaging modern conveniences, we should appreciate them—and respect them enough not to waste them.

• Hans Rosling and the magic washing machine – TED Talks. TED talks are usually engaging, but this one really makes me appreciate the standard of living that we enjoy.
• Plastic: Too Good to Throw Away – New York Times. One-time-use plastic devalues a substance that has revolutionized our lives.
• A Tour of Yonkers Wastewater Treatment Plant – Eco-Centric. And Part 2. Is it weird that I really want to go on a tour of the Boston wastewater treatment plant?
• Today’s Smart Choice: Don’t Own. Share. – Time. I love this philosophy. (Thanks, Minka!)
• The pantry principle: Serve up easy dinners by cooking what you have – OregonLive. Simple meals and improvisation are the key.
• The simple beginners guide to cooking with dried beans – Stone Soup. I’m just starting to use dried beans instead of canned.
• Do Programmable Thermostats Really Save Money? – Get Rich Slowly. Why Energy Star suspended its rating for programmable thermostats. (Hint: they’re not useful if you don’t set them or fiddle with them all the time.)
• Is organic wine really better for the environment? – Slate. They came to basically the same conclusion that I did while hunting for organic champagne: if you live on the east coast, you’re better off just looking for stuff from Europe or South America instead of California.
• Life after Phosphates – Green Phone Booth. Massachusetts has been phosphate-free for nine months now, and I’ll bet most people didn’t even realize it. But I did go through a little trial and error before I found a dish detergent I really liked.

Not bad for two weeks’ worth of links. As always, if you find anything interesting this week, send it along.