I used to think an open global economy was not such a bad idea – cheaper goods, and people who had fewer work opportunities, at least had work. And workers’ rights issues would work themselves out, hopefully. Anyway that’s one way of rationalizing freedom in the marketplace. What took a long time for me to understand...
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The New Public Library Proposal overview The post-industrial age public library had an inspired calling – make books available to the working class. The coming of the information age introduced computers and video tapes to these libraries, and now the post-information age is leaving libraries behind in favor of Google, Kindle, and iPod. It may not...
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Here’s a “what if” (an idea that makes sense but probably can’t work). Stock value based on long-range planning and financial health, rather than just short-term profit increase. It’s currently easy to see the pitfalls of a short view on profit taking in the stock market. Well, the problem for investors not owners at any rate. But...
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Many of us know something we can do to help the environment – like using energy saving light bulbs and recycling – but there are other simple things we can do, that maybe we don’t know about, or maybe we wish we didn’t have to… Like what? Eating sea food. Disposing cat litter, dental floss, or old prescription...
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Washington, D.C. Stollen from the Olympic training center, this photo represents a similar memorial (not unlike the Licoln Memorial), dedicated to sustainability.
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From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. In his Pulitzer Prize–winning bestseller Guns, Germs, and Steel, geographer Diamond laid out a grand view of the organic roots of human civilizations in flora, fauna, climate and geology. That vision takes on apocalyptic overtones in this fascinating comparative study of societies that have, sometimes fatally, undermined their own ecological...
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This is a video we found that offers a view of wind farms not readily seen. And even though it is not a personal account, and it does come from a company, we think it is commercial free enough and interesting enough to be here.
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Lately I am bothering myself thinking about two ideas – one is called “peak oil,” the other concerns microwave ovens and firewood. When you’re down, it’s down, and when it’s up, you’re up. I’ve yet to read or hear an explanation of peak oil I can understand or believe. Like you perhaps, I’ve heard that demand...
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Stainless steel water bottle, solar recharging path light, hand and solar powered radio, bookcase from sustainably harvested trees, non-toxic paint and stain, biodegradable laundry detergent, compost bin, florescent light, recycled paper, shopping bag made from recycled fabric - - all of these things are manufactured. And all production, green or otherwise, must utilize energy and new...
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Gracie is her name, and she loves going out for walks, not with the harness and leash I use, but she has no choice. Actually it’s a foot that’s missing, her right rear, and when Gracie walks she relies on three legs, unless the floor is carpeted. Here’s what happened today when I took Gracie out to...
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No one really knows how and when these things will affect us, but, major events are on the horizon: peak oil, global warming, national debt, population growth, resource collapse (and as if we needed more – pandemics, nuclear proliferation, terrorism). Those affected will likely turn for support to relatives, friends, government or organizations, in...
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