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
health
Sustainability & Health Begin With Holistic Birth
Steve Hoog After years of working in the Holistic Health field and working on issues of sustainability, I have come to the conclusion that a key to the human race living in a sustainable relationship to earth is the ability to bond with the earth — to be in union with the earth, to comprehend others’ needs, and to intuitively understand how to facilitate getting those needs … [Read more...] about Sustainability & Health Begin With Holistic Birth
Science on fracking harm
Health Professionals of NY and Physicians for Social Responsibility have released a newly-updated compendium of the medical and scientific evidence of the great harm done by fracking, a widely used and trusted resource. Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking [PDF] From the introduction: Public health harms now … [Read more...] about Science on fracking harm
10 Ways to Sustain your Mental and Emotional Health during COVID-19
by Victoria Alercia-Casella Your thoughts lead your day – Begin your day by reading a positive quote, doing a meditative exercise to repeat a mantra, saying a prayer, or identifying something positive that you are looking forward to doing that day. Just start with 1 – We often feel overwhelmed by a huge to do list as soon as we wake up in the morning. With any goal you … [Read more...] about 10 Ways to Sustain your Mental and Emotional Health during COVID-19
Land Conservation
by Maclaine Oskin Development and construction through the years has overtaken our land with asphalt and concrete, making commercial districts and office buildings abundant while the number of trees and open space dwindles. The Lehigh Valley, with an ever-growing population and robust mixed economy, continues to develop. As a result, it becomes even more critical to protect … [Read more...] about Land Conservation
On the front lines in Italy
This episode from PBS Frontline is crafted more like a story than a news report. It has plot structure and character development that's remarkable. If you want to see how a documentary can be raised to the level of a powerful film, give it a try. The lead character is a female doctor, and her journey is compelling. I don't think any ordinary news report or documentary could … [Read more...] about On the front lines in Italy
Coronavirus update (May 2)
Note: I use the term coronavirus because these posts may refer to the virus [SARS-CoV-2], which is a single type of virus, and/or the disease it causes [CoVid-19], which can appear in many different forms, depending in part on the health of the individuals and the presence of a robust health care system and epidemiological approaches. The following recent articles shed … [Read more...] about Coronavirus update (May 2)
Essential workers on strike
As of May 1, workers from the following places are on strike, primarily because those companies are making record profits, but won't protect workers with needed equipment and safe procedures: Amazon Instacart Whole Foods Walmart Target FedEx … [Read more...] about Essential workers on strike
US exceptionalism?
The U.S. really is #1 — In coronavirus deaths, anyway. Out of about 228,000 deaths worldwide, the US — with less than 5% of world population — has about 27% of the deaths.* * It's amazing how often those percentages seem to be repeated — (GHG emissions, energy use, and resource consumption, for example). That puts the US at … [Read more...] about US exceptionalism?
Sustainable Food for Thought
by Eirlys Chui As times are changing, so are the trends we see in today’s food system. People are growing interested in natural, organic, locally sourced, and sustainable food. They are exploring dietary selections such as vegetarian and vegan options that benefit personal health and that of the environment. Yet there are also arising obstacles—environmental degradation, … [Read more...] about Sustainable Food for Thought