Elaheh Farmand Once a year on our immigration anniversary, my mother and I reflect on our journey from Iran to the United States. In the past, we would celebrate the freedoms we were given in America, embrace the struggles we endured as immigrants to settle in a new home, and learn not only a new language, but also a new way of living, a new culture, a new dream. But if … [Read more...] about Fight the System, Not Each Other
Focus on Pages
The "Focus On" section provides in-depth information and opinion on many facets of sustainability. (Although these topics may appear quite distinct and separate, it’s important to remember that they are interconnected and interdependent in multiple ways — in general, the 4 basic principles of ecology apply to all complex systems.)
When you select a Focus On… topic, the system will select all the articles and posts in that category with the most recent pages at the top, just under a brief introduction to the topic. (Many articles appear in multiple categories.)
Background & detail information is organized into the main categories listed in the left sidebar.
Activism & Advocacy
We Need to Stop Plastic Consumption
Gabriela Sampaio Every day we are bombed with disruptive and sad news about what is going on in the world. War, robbery, injustice, and crisis are some of the words in the headlines of the news. But how often do we see the environment as the main character of these headlines? Everyone knows that Earth is in great danger, but why don’t we focus on what is being done to … [Read more...] about We Need to Stop Plastic Consumption
This Freedom
Elaheh Farmand Elaheh is an Iranian immigrant and writer who dreams of and fights for a society that places people’s needs and wellbeing before profits. She is occasionally nostalgic for her childhood in Iran, but focuses her energy on connecting with her community, family, and friends. Also see Elaheh's essay Fight … [Read more...] about This Freedom
The Next Generation
by Everet Smith The Earth is dying, and so are its children.It is up to us, the next generation, to save itTo fix centuries of mistreatment of Mother NatureI don’t have my driver’s license. The shovel is the screaming of desperate husksThe soon-dead sabotaging life for newly bornI lay in my dirt tomb, no colder than their soulsWasting away as they waste their … [Read more...] about The Next Generation
The Future Of Environmental Justice
Originally published in State of the Lehigh Valley 2021, Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) Peter K. Crownfield, Internship Coordinator, Alliance for Sustainable Communities – Lehigh Valley; and Devon Jewell, Junior at Moravian Academy The most basic level of environmental justice is making sure that poor or minority communities, often called ‘EJ … [Read more...] about The Future Of Environmental Justice
Tackling Bethlehem’s Housing Crisis
Christopher Giannaras Most people agree that citizens have certain rights which cannot be denied to them on any account, whether it be race, gender, or economic status. A not-so-frequently-discussed but dire issue is the number of families that face homelessness. In any twenty-first-century society, even people born into unfortunate circumstances deserve roofs over their … [Read more...] about Tackling Bethlehem’s Housing Crisis
Welcome to our 21st issue!
With all that ‘s been happening in the U.S. and the world this year, it has sometimes been difficult to concentrate on the many steps of getting this publication together. This includes, of course, the war in Ukraine — an illegal and immoral attack, even if partly triggered by years of quiet, U.S.-led provocation; the continuing expansion of neo-Nazism and … [Read more...] about Welcome to our 21st issue!
Notes from the Editor
The war in Ukraine has taken much of the attention of the media. The saturation coverage displays subservience to state power and omits many important aspects of the current crisis. This double issue of Left Turn features many pieces offering alternative perspectives and correcting for the media’s omissions. Additionally, the media are ignoring the other ongoing war against the … [Read more...] about Notes from the Editor
Awaken
Zoe Lowry It is extremely challenging to detach ourselves from the views of others and to recognize and live true to our own passions, gifts, and purpose. However, gaining this deep understanding of self is the only way to achieve unconditional happiness and sustainability--in the sense of meeting our personal needs (emotional, spiritual, and tangible ones) in harmony with … [Read more...] about Awaken
#TeachTheTruth
Peter Crownfield and Devon Jewell Editors note: This essay is adapted from the Alliance summer internship report on Climate Change Education, for which Devon was the lead author, and from a longer article on environmental justice written that Devon and Peter wrote for the upcoming State of the Lehigh Valley report. Why do some serious, widespread problems persist year … [Read more...] about #TeachTheTruth