Steve Hoog After years of working in the Holistic Health field and working on issues of sustainability, I have come to the conclusion that a key to the human race living in a sustainable relationship to earth is the ability to bond with the earth — to be in union with the earth, to comprehend others’ needs, and to intuitively understand how to facilitate getting those needs … [Read more...] about Sustainability & Health Begin With Holistic Birth
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.
Voices of the Valley
The Voices of the Valley category includes work by members of the Lehigh Valley community.
You can access Voices of the Valley essays that were published in the Alliance’s Sustainable Lehigh Valley booklet (listed by year published) or via the alphabetic list of authors, which also includes items published online and in Left Turn.
You can also search for individual essays (& other content) by category or tag.
A Runaway Inequality Problem
One of the great unexamined questions of our times is why there is so much suffering, despair, misery and rage in the midst of unimaginable wealth. Naturally, pundits and politicians wish to avoid this question because an open public discussion of the widening wealth gap can impart critical insights into the nature and logic of the capitalist system they’ve worked so hard to … [Read more...] about A Runaway Inequality Problem
Was It only “Fear Itself?”: FDR and Today
GARY OLSON Movement” politics is how the people flex their power, while electoral politics under the corporate duopoly is the domain of the moneyed classes.— Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report While it’s myth that after the stock market crash of 1929, brokers pitched themselves off of tall buildings in … [Read more...] about Was It only “Fear Itself?”: FDR and Today
The Capitol Assault is Symptomatic of Our Dysfunctional Politics
TED MORGAN Americans were shocked to witness the assault on the capitol building on January 6, the day Congress was scheduled to ratify the presidential election. Washington DC and the nation’s state capitals remained on high alert through the inauguration as rightwing groups promised more violent attacks. It’s easy to trace the proximate cause of this assault, a … [Read more...] about The Capitol Assault is Symptomatic of Our Dysfunctional Politics
Notes from the Editor – Left Turn #8
Let us Burn All Illusions in 2021 Left Turn welcomes the year 2021 without any illusions about the nature of the system that produced the severe political, economic, and public health crises of 2020 and the new horrors surely on their way if we as a society fail to counteract the ingrained tendencies and deliberate policies that have produced the present unsustainable … [Read more...] about Notes from the Editor – Left Turn #8
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
Note from the Editors
(Sustainable Lehigh Valley – Fall 2020) This issue inaugurates some important changes to Sustainable Lehigh Valley. While we continue to feature a variety of essays, we will also include more creative writing and visual art such as drawing, photographs, and paintings. A greater variety of creative pieces allows messages and ideas to be expressed in different ways and thus … [Read more...] about Note from the Editors
When the Water Is Low
by Tara Zrinski Tara Zrinski resides with her family in Hanover Township, Northampton County, and serves on the County Council. She has taught Philosophy at both Northampton and Lehigh-Carbon Community Colleges and is an energy consultant for Trinity Solar. She has been an advocate for clean … [Read more...] about When the Water Is Low
‘Fragile Beauty’
by Tara Zrinsky “The gentle entanglement of vines and grass form an image that is both beautiful and fragile. At any moment, a single strand could be pulled to unravel what has been crafted and crowned with and silenced by a single rose. Yet, if you look long enough and the features of the intense stare, a delicate nose and strong jaw line subtly reveal the vulnerability … [Read more...] about ‘Fragile Beauty’
10 Ways to Sustain your Mental and Emotional Health during COVID-19
by Victoria Alercia-Casella Your thoughts lead your day – Begin your day by reading a positive quote, doing a meditative exercise to repeat a mantra, saying a prayer, or identifying something positive that you are looking forward to doing that day. Just start with 1 – We often feel overwhelmed by a huge to do list as soon as we wake up in the morning. With any goal you … [Read more...] about 10 Ways to Sustain your Mental and Emotional Health during COVID-19