The long awaited AR-6 report was released a few days ago. There are no surprises for anyone who's been paying attention, but there's lots of confirmation of how serious the problem has become and that there are still possibilities for reducing the impact — with actions, not words! Sticking to the basics, here are some statements about AR6: “The world is in deep trouble … [Read more...] about IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report
climate
No Miracles Needed
How wind, sun, and water can power the world Mark Stanford, who teaches civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University, makes the case that existing technologies for renewable energy and energy conservation can meet all our energy needs. A January 23 article in The Guardian gives a brief recap: “ ‘No miracles needed’: Prof Mark Jacobson on how wind, sun and … [Read more...] about No Miracles Needed
Backyard chickens?
Lehighvalleylive / Express Times recently ran an editorial ['Bird-brained plan to bring chicken coops to Bethlehem should be plucked'] opposing current efforts to allow backyard chickens again. This caught my attention because it seems to completely miss the point that raising backyard chickens is a simple way for folks at all income levels to enjoy fresh, nutritious eggs — … [Read more...] about Backyard chickens?
#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