We're a week into the "Rethinking the Food System" project, and the amount of information and meetings we have lined up is great. Food systems are vast, intersecting, complex, and difficult to revolutionize. For this project, the other interns, Peter, and I are focused on offering more sustainable options to restaurants, schools, and other organizations that would benefit from … [Read more...] about “Rethinking the Food System” Introduction Week
Health
Plastics — a ‘toxics crisis’ from cradle to grave
We knew plastics are harmful, but a new report by the Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health makes clear just how much harm plastics do at every step of their lifecycles. As reported in Inside Climate News, "…global plastic production, use and disposal patterns are responsible for significant harm to human health, the environment, and the economy, and are … [Read more...] about Plastics — a ‘toxics crisis’ from cradle to grave
Beyond Plastics – new video on train derailment
This morning, Beyond Plastics released an eye-opening new video that documents the reality on the ground in East Palestine, Ohio, where residents are dealing with the aftermath of the toxic train derailment. … [Read more...] about Beyond Plastics – new video on train derailment
Summer internship possibility
We are planning a project on the food system for the summer of 2023. Possible components include exploring ways to develop food sovereignty; expand use of regenerative organic growing to reduce in GHG emissions; increasing awareness of health impacts of food; and improving institutional food at schools, colleges & universities, and hospitals. (More information on any of … [Read more...] about Summer internship possibility
More deadly than COVID
Recent studies confirm what scientists have long suspected: that air pollution kills about 250,000 people in the United States—every year! And that's in addition to the hundreds of thousands with strokes, respiratory infections, and other diseases caused by air pollution. The cost in life and in dollars is enormous, but we don't see our so-called leaders doing anything to save … [Read more...] about More deadly than COVID
Science on fracking harm
Health Professionals of NY and Physicians for Social Responsibility have released a newly-updated compendium of the medical and scientific evidence of the great harm done by fracking, a widely used and trusted resource. Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking [PDF] From the introduction: Public health harms now … [Read more...] about Science on fracking harm
Sturgis & Coronavirus
In my recent post ['60+ Years of Assault on POC'], I mentioned the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally: The latest iteration of the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally, which is in some ways a celebration of white supremacy and (White) individuals’ ability to ignore the law, was tacitly welcomed by the government and businesses of South Dakota." Some of the Lakota nations … [Read more...] about Sturgis & Coronavirus
A Free People Strike to Let Our People Go
by Beth Taylor, Karen Ali, and Aaron Appel Turn on the news. Listen to the radio. Check your social media. Without a doubt, you will find numerous Covid-19 stories – from the infection spikes across the country to the debate about opening schools this fall. But amidst all of this, there is stunning silence on one fact: COVID-19 is worsening in prisons and it is because of … [Read more...] about A Free People Strike to Let Our People Go
On the front lines in Italy
This episode from PBS Frontline is crafted more like a story than a news report. It has plot structure and character development that's remarkable. If you want to see how a documentary can be raised to the level of a powerful film, give it a try. The lead character is a female doctor, and her journey is compelling. I don't think any ordinary news report or documentary could … [Read more...] about On the front lines in Italy
CDC’s real recommendations for ‘reopening’ from coronavirus
The U.S. disease-control experts at the CDC prepared detailed guidelines on how to safely reopen businesses and institutions, but the White House shelved the experts' recommendations and released a far less restrictive plan. CDC guidance more restrictive than White House School Superintendents Dismiss White House, Will Follow Leaked CDC Guidance on Reopening Actual … [Read more...] about CDC’s real recommendations for ‘reopening’ from coronavirus