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’
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.
Place & Infrastructure
Gentrify No More, Preserve History!
Anthony Thompson Finding a solution to prevent further gentrification of Southside Bethlehem and instead help the urban communities in the area and preserve the historic properties is an important issue for the City of Bethlehem. Gentrification is a huge issue in southside Bethlehem; businesses, restaurants, luxury high-rise apartments, and other establishments have opened … [Read more...] about Gentrify No More, Preserve History!
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?
Food for Thought
by Hannah Provost & Jessica Levy Many people and organizations in the Lehigh Valley are chipping away at the unsustainable industrialized food system that undermines our health, the climate, and a sustainable future. Their efforts are improving food education, expanding access, supporting local farmers, and more. Fresh, sustainably-grown local food means food … [Read more...] about Food for Thought
Land Conservation
by Maclaine Oskin Development and construction through the years has overtaken our land with asphalt and concrete, making commercial districts and office buildings abundant while the number of trees and open space dwindles. The Lehigh Valley, with an ever-growing population and robust mixed economy, continues to develop. As a result, it becomes even more critical to protect … [Read more...] about Land Conservation
Martin William Boksenbaum
1939–2019 We bid fond farewell to Martin Boksenbaum, co-founder of the Alliance who was deeply involved in preparing each of the previous 16 issues of this Sustainable Lehigh Valley booklet. It’s hard to think of the Alliance—and especially this publication—without Martin. He was integral to nearly every aspect of it from its inception. Martin died last summer, but we’re … [Read more...] about Martin William Boksenbaum
Sharing My Grandfather’s Tale
If we want to know how it was, before change and the possible future, we can turn to the “Old Ones”. They will tell us the stories; if we only but listen. In one of the many recesses of his rolltop desk, my grandfather kept a small tobacco tin. If I asked, he would open it so I could spread the contents out on the table. There would be the sound then of old coin … [Read more...] about Sharing My Grandfather’s Tale
Renewing Pennsylvania
Over a year ago, the Brookings Report on Pennsylvania, “Back to Prosperity, A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania”, was published. It reported many serious challenges now facing our state: We are losing our young people – the “brain drain”Pennsylvania is barely growing in populationEven with no real growth in population, construction continues at an alarming pace. … [Read more...] about Renewing Pennsylvania
Festival UnBound
by Bill George Bethlehem was born from a utopian, communal Moravian experiment in 1740 that dissolved in the face of the philosophy of progress, the industrial revolution and the domination of Bethlehem Steel. Then, in 1998, after an almost 150-year history building our nation, Bethlehem Steel shut down. To help our community work through that trauma, Touchstone Theatre … [Read more...] about Festival UnBound