[The following is taken from the Introduction to the interns’ report.] — Scroll to bottom of page for PDF files — Rethinking the Food System The current food system is one of the largest contribu- tors to global climate change and environmental destruction. Agriculture emits one third of global greenhouse emissions and consumes 70% of our freshwater … [Read more...] about Rethinking the Food System – Keys to a Strong School Wellness Policy
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.
Education & Schools
Learning is a natural process that happens in every imaginable setting. Schools are designed, in theory, to promote and enhance learning. Some schools use highly-structured curriculum, while others use a more experiential, democratic, & student-driven approach. In practice, many schools also function to stifle criticism and to instill the values of state policy, religious dogma, or other value systems.
Also, see:
- teach-climate.net for information on how to integrate global warming & climate change into your school!
- resources for better schools & learning
Other school-related topics: Militarism in schools
Striking Power: How Temple University Graduate Student Workers Won a New Contract
By Alexander Fischer The Temple University Graduate Student Association (TUGSA 6290), a union that represents more than 750 graduate student workers at Temple struck for over a month from late January to early March 2023. TUGSA, the only graduate student union in Pennsylvania, demanded a living wage, greater parental and bereavement leave, and dependent healthcare. Founded … [Read more...] about Striking Power: How Temple University Graduate Student Workers Won a New Contract
Reflections on Being American
By Elaheh Farmand American flags sprout like trees and wildflowers in backyards and gardens, over and around fences and windows. Tall and grand, they surround diners and restaurants in Pennsylvania, impossible to ignore. With strong winds, they dance almost majestically. What is the message of this flag, built on stolen land with the blood and genocide of its indigenous … [Read more...] about Reflections on Being American
Climate Action — A Winning Strategy for Higher Ed.
Lindsay Meiman If I learned one thing from my undergraduate years at Lehigh University, it’s that any lasting progress for a just world happens through wielding our collective power, coming together across our differences, and challenging institutional and systemic status quo. I didn’t necessarily learn this sitting in lecture halls, but rather organizing both on-campus and … [Read more...] about Climate Action — A Winning Strategy for Higher Ed.
SLV 2023 Notes from the Editors
Notes from the Editors As we publish our 25th issue of this booklet, we’d like to pause and note a few changes along the way. In 2004, we started out with the first directory of organizations in the Lehigh Valley that promote sustainable communities. That first issue included a handful of opinion pieces, and we soon realized that a platform for others’ voices was an … [Read more...] about SLV 2023 Notes from the Editors
Principles of Environmental Justice
We, The People of Color, gathered together at this multinational People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, to begin to build a national and international movement of all peoples of color to fight the destruction and taking of our lands and communities, do hereby re-establish our spiritual interdependence to the sacredness of our Mother Earth; to respect and celebrate … [Read more...] about Principles of Environmental Justice
Teaching Climate
A More Livable Lehigh Valley
Thomas Fortsch Imagine this:you and your family are trying to enjoy your day at Jordan Creek in Allentown. You are playing and fishing in the creek when suddenly a plastic water bottle floats by you, then another, then a styrofoam take-out container. As you sit and watch the water, plastic continues to float right by you. A few years ago, this was the reality of Jordan … [Read more...] about A More Livable Lehigh Valley
‘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’
About “Paths with a Heart” & cover artist Don Morris
In 2019, Nurture Nature Center invited local artists to create two- or three-dimensional works around the theme of animal or human migrations. In this painting, completed in 2020, I’ve tried to show some of the motivations forcing millions of people around the world to leave their native countries. After seeing the film “Human Flow” by prominent Chinese artist Ai … [Read more...] about About “Paths with a Heart” & cover artist Don Morris