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
Although many climate topics are intertwined with energy use, this category may include some posts that relate to both. The climate category can also include discussion of how the climate is changing, causes other than energy, such as releases of methane, nitrous oxides, and most refrigerants; also deforestation and agriculture that is not organic/regenerative.
The Looming Climate Catastrophe & the Great Silence
Faramarz Farbod It’s a do-or-die moment for humanity as it comes face to face with a looming ecological catastrophe. Yet there is a great silence when it comes to seeing the root cause of the crisis:the rule of capital. “We’re going to lose everything,” said Dr. Peter Kalmus, a NASA scientist. He and other scientists had chained themselves to a JPMorgan Chase building in … [Read more...] about The Looming Climate Catastrophe & the Great Silence
We Need to Switch to Regenerative Organic Agriculture Now
Max Fern From water quality to climate change, how we treat our farmland affects so much of the environment around us. Agricultural chemicals run off into waterways, creating dead zones that strip marine ecosystems of life and poison the water that we drink – these same chemicals also destroy beneficial insect communities and weaken the food chains of the pollinators … [Read more...] about We Need to Switch to Regenerative Organic Agriculture Now
Solar Power in PA | Solar United Neighbors
Why is Pennsylvania So Far Behind Neighboring States on Solar Implementation And What Can We Do About It? Implementing solar energy technology, particularly solar PV, offers enormous opportunities including job creation and workforce development and economic growth. If properly implemented, it can also produce electricity bill savings for everyone (not only those … [Read more...] about Solar Power in PA | Solar United Neighbors
‘Youth Voices’
The following statements by students and young adults reflect their thoughts, their deepest hopes and fears on climate change and aspects of sustainability in the past, present, and/or future. We encourage you to share your thoughts with us: just email the editors or post a comment on the Alliance’s website! [A few quotes were very lightly edited to fit the print … [Read more...] about ‘Youth Voices’
#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
Don’t Open the Door
Cecelia Tabor The electric buzz of the lights was constant, like crickets on a summer’s night. The noise would only stop when the blackouts hit. But these were occurring more and more frequently. The lights would flicker, sputtering feebly in the damp rooms, and then die. Silence would fill the underground world as large white eyes blinked rapidly, adjusting to the … [Read more...] about Don’t Open the Door
Humanity
Amaiya Kavachery How many times have I thought the world was ending How many days are we left spending Fearful What is the cause? Sadly the people mask the truth, not themselves It is fake news, “fake news” You need to know Temperatures are low In Antarctica You need to see Burning trees Of wildfires You need to feel The fate we have sealed Repercussions. Mutations of … [Read more...] about Humanity
Welcome to our 20th issue!
The following pages invite a radical type of societal and self reflection prompted by the connections drawn between climate change and other systemic issues. They are all related symptoms of a defunct system based on overconsumption and resource inequality. We invite you to imagine a world that’s more equitable for everyone — not just a select few with extreme wealth or luck. … [Read more...] about Welcome to our 20th issue!
Notes from the Editor
Global capitalism’s race to the bottom (and for the bottom line) is not only generating runaway economic inequalities, social unrest, and political dysfunctionality, but also a race off the ecological cliff in the near future. A study that looked at average temperature and precipitation changes only, excluding the most extreme impacts, found that At least 85% of the world’s … [Read more...] about Notes from the Editor