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
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.
Energy
A Rejection of the Rights of Nature
Nathaniel Stratton When discussing the latest controversies regarding climate change, you have to talk about Line 3. Line 3 was a pipeline built in the early 1960s from the oil fields in southern Canada down through Minnesota, transporting hundreds of millions of barrels of crude oil to the states each year. Over the years, the pipeline corroded significantly, cutting its … [Read more...] about A Rejection of the Rights of Nature
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?
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 Solar
by Emely Rodriguez * The Lehigh Valley has already made changes to create a cleaner, more sustainable future for our community. For example, Allentown installed solar panels on their courthouses in 2010, public transportation buses became hybrid electric buses in 2014, yet there is so much more our community can do. Becoming a more sustainable community starts with … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Solar
Solutions—Not More Problems
by Stephen Hoog Many years ago, I began studying the Macrobiotic way of living and eating which was embedded in a comprehensive world view. Fundamental to the philosophy was the idea of life force or chi energy. Every food we ate had not only a nutritional effect but an energetic effect as well. Each type of cooking or preparation had a different effect and each type of fuel … [Read more...] about Solutions—Not More Problems
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
Impacts (Sustainability Impacts Assessment)
This project examines the inter-related facets of climate, community, health, environment, and local economy. While the project focused on the proposed Da Vinci Science City project in Easton, the descriptions below provide an introduction to the various types of impacts to be potentially considered for any new development project. Climate Climate change effects … [Read more...] about Impacts (Sustainability Impacts Assessment)
Acknowledgments (Sustainability Impact Assessment)
First of all, the Alliance thanks the 5 student interns whose hard work made this project possible: Olivia Barz (Lehigh ’19)Ryan Dougherty (Lafayette ’19)Harris Eisenhardt (SUNY–ESF ’19)Ashley Kushner (Lafayette ’19)Brandy Moser (Boston University ‘21) The project team thanks the many community leaders for their assistance—and is especially grateful to Lin Erickson, … [Read more...] about Acknowledgments (Sustainability Impact Assessment)