[Notes from 2017 discussions with students] A sustainable food system: Supports ecosystems with regenerative organic growingreduces GHG by sequestering carbon into the soilbuilds soil health & reduces erosionpromotes biodiversity & resilience / preserves plants & animals (including people) that are poisoned by synthetic chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, … [Read more...] about Sustainable Food
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.
‘You did not act in time!’
'(Greta Thunberg's full speech to MPs, London, 23 April 2019) by Greta Thunberg My name is Greta Thunberg. I am 16 years old. I come from Sweden. And I speak on behalf of future generations. I know many of you don’t want to listen to us — you say we are just children. But we’re only repeating the message of the united climate science. Many of you appear concerned … [Read more...] about ‘You did not act in time!’
Thanksgiving Prayer
As many celebrate Thanksgiving Day, remember Thanks Giving is daily. The People of the Longhouse, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) People, have for centuries all times of the year for many occasions given thanks to all life.… Give thanks in your own way and enjoy and share this version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address.—American Indian Institute Greetings to the … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Prayer
Can the Working Class Change the World?
Michael D. Yates Monthly Review Press (Oct. 2, 2018)One of the horrors of the capitalist system is that slave labor, which was central to the formation and growth of capitalism itself, is still fully able to coexist alongside wage labor. But, as Karl Marx pointed out, it is the fact of being paid for one's work that validates capitalism as a viable socio-economic structure. … [Read more...] about Can the Working Class Change the World?
Remembering William Blum
Faramarz Farbod The year 2018 witnessed the passing of William Blum, the author and fierce critic of U.S. imperialism. He died on December 9, at a hospice center in Arlington, VA., at age 85. The news was not entirely unexpected as he had suffered an injury from a fall at his home two months earlier. Blum had ceaselessly researched and exposed in meticulous detail the … [Read more...] about Remembering William Blum
Community and Ecosystem Protection: Two Films
Martin Boksenbaum Audiences made up of community activists and college students were treated to one-night-only showings of two important new documentaries: Invisible Hand on October 21st at Lehigh University and Unfractured on October 23rd at Northampton Community College. Both films focused on significant examples of efforts to protect communities and ecosystems from … [Read more...] about Community and Ecosystem Protection: Two Films
Post-Job Societies
Robert Kocis I. The Problem – A spectre is haunting the industrial and post-industrial world — the spectre of job insecurity. While globalization explains some job insecurity (jobs have been shifted from the more- to the less-developed parts of the world), the greater threat emerges from artificial intelligence (AI), computerization, and robotization, which threaten jobs … [Read more...] about Post-Job Societies
Exploitation of the Powerless: The Essence of Capitalism
Philip Reiss My American Heritage Dictionary of The English Language defines a welfare state as "A social system whereby the state assumes primary responsibility for the welfare of citizens." This definition didn't say ALL citizens. So, it seems it's open for interpretation. Also, what is meant by social system? A definition of the term social system is not presented per se. … [Read more...] about Exploitation of the Powerless: The Essence of Capitalism
Identity Crisis?
Martin Boksenbaum Wouldn't it be great to win the lottery and live like one of the rich and famous and powerful? At least that's something to aim for, isn't it, living the upscale life-styles the media flashes before our eyes? Whoa! Is somebody screwing with our brains? What exactly is the reality of our situations anyway? What do we need to be conscious of as … [Read more...] about Identity Crisis?
Pope Francis and the Battle Over Cultural Terrain
Gary Olson "… [W]e should not be fooled: Much of the organized opposition to Francis has nothing to do with how we care for the divorced and remarried. It is this, his trenchant critique of modern capitalism that keeps money flowing to conservative outlets intent on marginalizing what the pope says." —Michael Sean Winters, TThe National Catholic Reporter,10/29/17 So far, … [Read more...] about Pope Francis and the Battle Over Cultural Terrain