From the Editors

As we prepare this edition, the world faces a number of existential challenges.

There’s the coronavirus pandemic, of course, which may cause millions of deaths. And there are the slower-moving — but no less serious — threats from widespread environmental degradation, a climate crisis that is now a climate emergency, and a food system that undermines health instead of supporting it.

And we’re feeling the loss of Alliance co-founder Martin Boksenbaum, who was deeply involved in all the tasks and details of preparing what was initially called the Directory of Organizations Promoting Sustainable Communities. He recognized the importance of local voices and led the change to include more essays from local folk and the change to the Sustainable Lehigh Valley title. So we bid fond farewell to former editor Martin Boksenbaum. (page 74 in the spring edition)

Despite the challenges that face us, you will find many messages of hope and opportunity in the work of the 100+ organizations in our directory and the ideas and ideals expressed by the Voices of the Valley writers.

Note: The essays in this booklet were all written before the coronavirus struck, and the shutdown means the print  edition will be delayed for at least several weeks. In the meantime, it is now available online as a PDF.