This is part of our recommendations in support of Bethlehem's Climate Action Plan [CAP]. The following document was prepared to to help the EAC and Office of Planning and Zoning make the zoning ordinances support the CAP. We hope that this will help, and thank you for reaching out to us. Prepared by Isaac Weber, Summer 2021 Climate-Action Intern. If you have any … [Read more...] about Recommended changes to zoning ordinances in Bethlehem
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
Implementing Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan
Editor's Note: All three reports were prepared before the IPCC's August 9 release of part 1 of the Sixth Assessment Report, which only confirms the urgency of the interns' recommendations! Editor's Note: This is the primary report from the Climate Action Project (summer 2021) ; it is complemented by reports that focus on development ('Build Sustainably — for Business … [Read more...] about Implementing Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan
Climate Change Education
Editor’s Note: This report was prepared before the IPCC released part 1 of the Sixth Assessment Report on August 9. That report confirms the urgency of the interns’ recommendations! This is one of three reports prepared by the team and is complemented by 'Implementing Bethlehem's CAP' and ‘Build Sustainably — for Business Success and a Livable Future‘. All 3 reports are also … [Read more...] about Climate Change Education
Build Sustainably — for Business Success and a Livable Future
Editor’s Note: This report was prepared before the IPCC released part 1 of the Sixth Assessment Report on August 9. That report confirms the urgency of the interns’ recommendations! This is one of three reports prepared by the team; it is complemented by 'Implementing Bethlehem's CAP' and ‘Climate Change Education‘. All 3 reports are also available in complete PDF … [Read more...] about Build Sustainably — for Business Success and a Livable Future
What Would a Deep Green New Deal Look Like?
DON FITZ The Green New Deal has attracted perhaps the greatest attention of any proposal for decades. It would guarantee Medicare-for-All, Housing-for-All, student loan forgiveness and propose the largest economic growth in human history to address unemployment and climate change. But the last of these hits a stumbling block. Creation of all forms of energy contributes to … [Read more...] about What Would a Deep Green New Deal Look Like?
Soil Carbon Sequestration
Rodale Institute has done amazing work with development of organic growing not only for health but as a solution to the climate emergency. Regenerative Organic Agriculture and the Soil Carbon Solution [PDF, 21 pages] Regenerative Organic Agriculture and the Soil CarbonSolution Fact Sheet [PDF, 2 pages] … [Read more...] about Soil Carbon Sequestration
Regenerative Agriculture Is a Win-Win-Win Climate Solution
An excerpt from the Executive Summary: The way we manage agricultural land matters. It matters to people, it matters to our society, and it matters to the climate.… This paper is not merely a revisiting of the problem or yet another dire report on the state of our planetary health. It is not another “wake up call” asking the reader to pay attention to the science or the … [Read more...] about Regenerative Agriculture Is a Win-Win-Win Climate Solution
Let’s Talk Solar
by Emely Rodriguez Becoming a more sustainable community starts with small changes that can help to create a cleaner, brighter future. We can expand on what has already been done by installing solar panels on public buildings, such as municipal buildings, post offices, libraries, and public schools. Solar power would provide a cleaner, renewable source of energy that … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Solar
Let’s Talk About Climate Justice
by Audrey Dai Climate justice. These two simple words are probably not as familiar as the now politically infused “climate change”. Instead, these words emphasize how environmental changes are an issue of civil rights, and how these changes will affect each of us living on this planet, just some more than others. And this is regardless of your political standing. In the … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk About Climate Justice
The World is Ending, So Why Bother Dreaming?
by Dhara Burak You know what makes me mad about being a part of Generation Z? It’s not the current political climate. It’s not the fact that schools get shot up every day and nothing is being done to stop it but protests. No, it’s the fact that, every time I think about the realistic future, all I see is the world ending. It’s the fact that I don’t get to dream because of … [Read more...] about The World is Ending, So Why Bother Dreaming?