The President of the Pacific island nation Vanuatu, Nikenike Vurobaravu, stood up in the UN General Assembly and called for governments to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to stop all new development of oil and gas, phase out existing fossil fuel production, and ensure workers are transitioned to a green economy in a fair way. This is a critical moment. For … [Read more...] about Take action to phase out all fossil fuels
climate action
Beyond Plastics / Back-to-school Guide
BeyondPlastics provides a Plastic-Free Back To School Guide and a variety of other resources, including guides for eliminating single-use plastics in cafés and restaurants and by dry cleaners. For more information, see the BeyondPlastics site — and our own resources on Climate Action Planning and Implementing Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan, both of which include information … [Read more...] about Beyond Plastics / Back-to-school Guide
You’ll love the new issue of the Sustainable Lehigh Valley booklet!
The new issue of the Sustainable Lehigh Valley booklet is loaded with creative writing and art, and a majority of the content comes from students — both high school and college — and young adults here in the Lehigh Valley. You can read it online or download the full PDF edition, which is formatted in two-page spreads so it's similar to reading the printed booklet. Print … [Read more...] about You’ll love the new issue of the Sustainable Lehigh Valley booklet!
#TeachTheTruth
Peter Crownfield and Devon Jewell Editors note: This essay is adapted from the Alliance summer internship report on Climate Change Education, for which Devon was the lead author, and from a longer article on environmental justice written that Devon and Peter wrote for the upcoming State of the Lehigh Valley report. Why do some serious, widespread problems persist year … [Read more...] about #TeachTheTruth
Humanity
Amaiya Kavachery How many times have I thought the world was ending How many days are we left spending Fearful What is the cause? Sadly the people mask the truth, not themselves It is fake news, “fake news” You need to know Temperatures are low In Antarctica You need to see Burning trees Of wildfires You need to feel The fate we have sealed Repercussions. Mutations of … [Read more...] about Humanity
Response to Don Fitz
Robert Pollin Don Fitz’s response to my two interviews that Z generously republished makes two major assertions: 1) Reducing overall consumption and working fewer hours provides a viable path on its own to stabilizing the global climate; and 2) Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are not really “clean” even though they supply energy without generating CO2 … [Read more...] about Response to Don Fitz
A Green New Deal Program for California
C.J. Polychroniou: California has been at the forefront of the climate fight for years now, but the truth of the matter is that its efforts have been falling short. Now, you and some colleagues of yours at the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst have just completed a commissioned climate stabilization project for California … [Read more...] about A Green New Deal Program for California
Labor Unions Rally Behind California’s Zero-Emissions Climate Plan
C.J. Polychroniou: Since the idea of a Green New Deal entered into public consciousness, the debate about climate emergency is becoming increasingly polarized between those advocating “green growth” and those arguing in support of “degrowth.” What exactly does “degrowth” mean, and is this at the end of the day an economic or an ideological debate? Robert Pollin: Let me … [Read more...] about Labor Unions Rally Behind California’s Zero-Emissions Climate Plan
Notes from the Editor
Global capitalism’s race to the bottom (and for the bottom line) is not only generating runaway economic inequalities, social unrest, and political dysfunctionality, but also a race off the ecological cliff in the near future. A study that looked at average temperature and precipitation changes only, excluding the most extreme impacts, found that At least 85% of the world’s … [Read more...] about Notes from the Editor
Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan – a call to Action!
During the summer, several students worked on a climate action project that’s especially relevant in light of the latest ‘Red Alert’ from the U.N. and the IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]. While the students' work this summer centered on implementing Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan, most of the information and ideas apply everywhere. This is … [Read more...] about Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan – a call to Action!