Alyson Van Dusen When we stand before the beach The waves rocking us back and forth Pulling our feet under the sand As if to cradle us and say we’re okay This is safe Right here we meet another world Hidden below our air and clouds Where turtles hide in seaweed And brilliant fish Find sanctuary in the living homes That stretch for the sun And wind to form an homage to the … [Read more...] about The Departure of Waves
water
We, the Ocean
Lia Embil I began with the rising sun, and the icy wind. The water was still cold from the darkness of the night. People came by, watching me collect natural objects and trash from the ocean, bring them to land, and lay them out in a circular configuration. Back and forth, back and forth. I remained there, on that shore, moving and bending and walking and carrying and … [Read more...] about We, the Ocean
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
When the Water Is Low
by Tara Zrinski Tara Zrinski resides with her family in Hanover Township, Northampton County, and serves on the County Council. She has taught Philosophy at both Northampton and Lehigh-Carbon Community Colleges and is an energy consultant for Trinity Solar. She has been an advocate for clean … [Read more...] about When the Water Is Low
Let’s talk about water
by Somak Roy The City of Bethlehem’s water comes entirely from surface sources, namely the Wild Creek Reservoir and the Penn Forest Reservoir in a watershed that covers 17 square miles. This primary water supply is located 22 miles north of the City. The Tunkhannock Creek and Monroe County provide a supplemental supply of water to the Penn Forest Reservoir. The … [Read more...] about Let’s talk about water
Climate Action Planning for the Lehigh Valley 2.0
→ Executive Summary Introduction Across the nation, cities are responding to climate change by developing and implementing local policies and initiatives. In particular, municipalities have created climate action plans to demonstrate their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and protect their communities from the results of climate change. These plans … [Read more...] about Climate Action Planning for the Lehigh Valley 2.0
Sustainability Practices for Cafés & Restaurants
→ Executive Summary Introduction We live in a world filled with concerns about climate change, food and health, pollution and degradation of the environment, and other aspects of sustainability. Unfortunately, the problems are growing at exponential rates. When we look at the causes, it becomes clear that many of our current practices cause or contribute to the problems. … [Read more...] about Sustainability Practices for Cafés & Restaurants
Protecting the Clean Water Rule
by Rachel Rosenfeld According to the Pennsylvania state constitution, Article I, Section 27, the Environmental Rights Amendment: "The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including … [Read more...] about Protecting the Clean Water Rule
FYI: Fracking chemicals still showing up in PA freshwater mussels
Environmental Health News, 10 September 2018—Chemicals from fracking wastewater dumped into Pennsylvania's Allegheny River before 2011 are still accumulating in the bodies of freshwater mussels downstream, according to a new study. The study, published Wednesday in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science & Technology, is among the first to show bioaccumulation—the … [Read more...] about FYI: Fracking chemicals still showing up in PA freshwater mussels