A Vegetarian’s Dilemma
I am not a self-righteous vegetarian. In fact, I’m quite an insecure vegetarian, frequently seeking justification for my one or two servings of dairy a day and the occasional egg. I say to myself, “it’s okay since I only buy and consume dairy and eggs from local, organic sources…right?” And thus begins the insecurity. There’s [...]
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Beyond Petroleum?
“Better get your fill of oysters while you still can” seems to be the mantra for seafood-loving folks down in the Big Easy as oil from the BP oil spill encroaches on New Orleans’ shores.
But the future of New Orleans’ seafood industry is only one of numerous unknowns. Many feel helpless in the face of [...]
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Protecting the Planet and Empowering the People
Are you among those disillusioned with the results of the Climate Summit in Copenhagen last December? Do you fear capitalist solutions to climate change? Can you imagine an agreement that seeks the counsel of those who stand to suffer the most from climate change? Yes? Then you would have been in good company in Bolivia [...]
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Who needs a toilet when you’ve got a Peepoo?
I’m a big fan of the children’s book “Everybody Poops.” But, although everybody poops—and pees—not everyone’s pee and poop is handled in a way that prevents the spread of pathogens into the immediate and larger environment.
According to peepoople.com, 4 out of 10 people “lack even the most simple latrine to perform their needs.” Because of [...]
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World Water Day 2010: What Will You Do?
It is easy to take our freshwater resources for granted. We wake up, brush our teeth, wash our faces, make our morning coffee, take a shower… If we were to take an inventory of all our activities that involve water—and how much we use on a daily basis—we’d likely be astonished, especially if we compare [...]
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Growing food: learning what it takes, taking (and tasting) what is learned
With spring approaching in Wisconsin, I find myself looking forward to fresh, local produce—the ever-shifting offerings of the season, starting with tender young asparagus in the spring and ending with hearty squash in the late fall, and, of course, plenty of zucchini in between.
Although eating locally does not necessarily result in a net reduction of [...]
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Leading by example? Let’s hope so…
President Obama appears to be taking initiative in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, setting a reduction target for the Federal Government of 28% by 2020. “As the largest energy consumer in the United Sates,” Obama said, “we have a responsibility to American citizens to reduce our energy use and become more efficient.”
It is encouraging [...]
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The climate change debate- in pictures!
Recent conversations with a meteorological scientist have reignited my interest in why some scientists deny that human activities are accelerating global climate change. I tend to think of the “climate-change deniers” as those with a vested interest in the fossil fuel industry, but this particular scientist lives a very “green” life by most standards—he bikes [...]
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Tragedy of the Commons: does it have to be so tragic?
In the aftermath of the Climate Conference in Copenhagen, many environmentalists and world leaders alike are feeling defeated and disillusioned. However, it is little surprise that attempts to draft an international agreement with any clout result in gridlock. What the international community is facing is a classic “tragedy of the commons” problem: it is in [...]
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Design Principle #5: Chronosophy
In a recent speech given at Lawrence University, Geology professor Marcia Bjornerud presented a “list of five design principles that seem to be signatures of the House of Earth.” The fifth design principle she lists is Chronosophy.
Bjornerud defines chronosophy as “the wisdom that comes with knowing and embracing Time, not only the past that [...]
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