[Notes from 2017 discussions with students] A sustainable food system: Supports ecosystems with regenerative organic growingreduces GHG by sequestering carbon into the soilbuilds soil health & reduces erosionpromotes biodiversity & resilience / preserves plants & animals (including people) that are poisoned by synthetic chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, … [Read more...] about Sustainable Food
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.
Climate & Energy
The categories of Climate & Energy are linked because it’s almost impossible to consider energy issues without considering their impact on the Climate.
Also see: Environment & Ecosystems, Food, Transportation
‘You did not act in time!’
'(Greta Thunberg's full speech to MPs, London, 23 April 2019) by Greta Thunberg My name is Greta Thunberg. I am 16 years old. I come from Sweden. And I speak on behalf of future generations. I know many of you don’t want to listen to us — you say we are just children. But we’re only repeating the message of the united climate science. Many of you appear concerned … [Read more...] about ‘You did not act in time!’
Climate Action, Structure, Power
by Martin Boksenbaum Two lines from T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Hollow Men” meant little to me until thinking about how to talk about what needs to be done, what we need to do, to address the climate crisis. Although certainly not what T.S. had mind, those lines have considerable relevance for thinking about the character of current protest movements in the United States, no … [Read more...] about Climate Action, Structure, Power
Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association
by Bill Hennessey The pace of climate change is increasing faster than predictions, while U.S. action to slow it down has crept to a crawl.The economy, the economy! That’s all that matters. Economic stimulus and tax breaks have been selected to bring our spending and lifestyles back to the fifties. And yet, over time, unless we change our economic premise and … [Read more...] about Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association
Mobilize Now!
Abrupt and extreme climate crisis requires all-out emergency mobilization This is a call for General Mobilization. We must respond with our utmost will power and intention to mitigate the existing extreme climate emergency crisis. Well-informed local citizens have carefully looked into rapidly escalating climate changes caused by excessive burning of fossil fuels. These … [Read more...] about Mobilize Now!
The Inequalities of Climate Change
by Gwladys Boukpessi As human beings, we all share the responsibility of taking care of one another. Regardless of the differences that separate us, the cultural barriers that define us, or the walls we build amongst ourselves, we all possess the subconscious obligation to ensure the successful continuation of our species, and provide a better future for generations to … [Read more...] about The Inequalities of Climate Change
Is Peace an Environmental Issue?
by Nancy Tate Should those of us working for a sustainable Lehigh Valley and a sustainable world make peace and anti-war work a priority? LEPOCO, of course, answers this question in the affirmative. One of our earliest flyers hints at this by quoting then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower: "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the … [Read more...] about Is Peace an Environmental Issue?
The Importance of Restaurant Sustainability
by Kayla Harper Climate change is a looming reality, and with approximately twelve years to make significant changes in our way of life before permanent damage is caused, it is important for restaurants to become responsible climate activists and change their business practices. My short-term focus is on educating local businesses in the Lehigh Valley about ways to become … [Read more...] about The Importance of Restaurant Sustainability
A Sustainability Narrative
by Brian Hillard When I had first planted my roots in Bethlehem thirteen-and-a-half years ago, it wasn't long before I had experienced my first taste of the community within. With a backyard full of yard debris and no truck to haul it to the compost center, my next-door neighbor offered to help me run it over with his truck then, unbeknownst to me, he took it over himself … [Read more...] about A Sustainability Narrative
Resources (Sustainability Impact Assessment)
[In development – if you have questions now, send an email to Peter Crownfield, coordinator for the sustainability impact assessment project.] This list is provided as a starting point for others doing a sustainability impact assessment for a proposed, planned, or existing project. It will cover climate, community, health, environmental, & local economic impacts, … [Read more...] about Resources (Sustainability Impact Assessment)