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!
climate
#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
Food Waste in Bethlehem
by Elijah Zemsky Food waste in our country has devastating and lasting effects on the environment and our communities. The food supply chain pumps unneeded food into homes and businesses, then completely mismanages the waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 40 million tons of food are produced in America every year, and 40% of that — 16 million … [Read more...] about Food Waste in Bethlehem
The World is Ending, So Why Bother Dreaming?
by Dhara Burak You know what makes me mad about being a part of Generation Z? It’s not the current political climate. It’s not the fact that schools get shot up every day and nothing is being done to stop it but protests. No, it’s the fact that, every time I think about the realistic future, all I see is the world ending. It’s the fact that I don’t get to dream because of … [Read more...] about The World is Ending, So Why Bother Dreaming?
Food Waste in Bethlehem
by Eli Zemsky Food waste in our country has devastating lasting effects on the environment and on American communities. Our food supply chain pumps an extreme amount of unneeded food into homes and businesses, then completely mismanages the waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that up to 40% of the 40 million tons of food produced in America each year … [Read more...] about Food Waste in Bethlehem
The slower crises continue
I hope you're doing well as we hunker down to weather the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, the other, slower crises don't go dormant just because there's a pandemic raging. The climate emergency has slowed down a little while factories and shops are shuttered and people aren't driving nearly as much — but that respite will end when they 'reopen the economy'. Coronavirus … [Read more...] about The slower crises continue
Peter’s blog: ‘Development can be sustainable — or destructive’
Some municipalities require impact assessments for proposed projects, but they often are inadequate or focus primarily on economic considerations. An integrated and comprehensive sustainability impact assessment is essential to understanding the range of inter-related impacts a project will have on climate change, community, health, environment, and economy. This summer, a … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog: ‘Development can be sustainable — or destructive’
Climate-System Crisis: Taking Action
Isn't it time us folks in the sustainability movement here in the Lehigh Valley were getting our heads -- and our act -- together on bringing about the needed actions to address the Climate-System Crisis head on? You are hereby invited to help get the ball rolling by helping to plan, sponsor, shape, put on a Community Dialogue (Series?) on the climate crisis, focusing on what … [Read more...] about Climate-System Crisis: Taking Action
Sustainability in Food Businesses
There are many steps that can be taken to promote sustainability in food businesses. Today, there are numerous concerns that trouble businesses that are attempting to become more sustainable. This is because of the financial, environment, and psychological benefits that result from doing so. If a business is willing to make sustainability a priority, the tasks to complete this … [Read more...] about Sustainability in Food Businesses
Feedback Loops and Tipping Points
As the story says: 'Evolve or Die.' Without good, dependable, and enough information, apathy and denial become too frequent coping mechanisms. The situation absolutely cries out for faithful implementation of the cautionary principle for ourselves and all the other species. In this do or die situation our intention is to become adequately prepared for the worst-case scenario, … [Read more...] about Feedback Loops and Tipping Points