The Little Solar That Could

This article discusses the positives of distributed energy compared to other large energy plants, even; solar thermal energy plants. The demand is growing more than ever, and it is speaking the right language to many people (especially those that have a Renewable Portfolio Standard)!

This article puts a damper on solar thermal energy plants, what are your thoughts? Do you think they can be used in a sustainable manner? How?

Check it out: http://www.grist.org/article/2010-02-05-the-little-solar-that-could/

War on Milk

What ever happened to the Governments war on raw milk?

This article discusses the war on raw milk between the government and small farmers. Campaigns began in 2006 to abandon raw milk, read on and see for yourself what stakes the government will go to, to stop these farmers.

What are your thoughts on the war on raw milk? Would you like it to be more available?

Read more: http://www.grist.org/article/whatever-happened-to-the-governments-war-on-raw-milk-just-a-shift-in-tactic/

Breathe Easy

The Clean Air Act that passed before Congress in 1990. It is well known that this act has improved the environment in many ways, but it has caused several visible changes that can be seen today. This act also proved to be a way to hold the American government somewhat responsible for what they are letting the people of their country get away with and in turn began to hold people responsible for their actions.

Most importantly, this act brought awareness to people about just how important the environment is. Without the Clean Air Act, emissions testing would not be mandatory and there is a chance people of America would not be as concerned with the air they breathe as they are today.

Take a look and this link and read about the changes made by the Clean Air act, 2010 marks its 40th anniversary and the reason we can all breathe easier.

Check it out: http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/

Small is Beautiful

This is a great article for those who are interested in organic farming and why organic farming has a negative connotation among government and dare I say, Monsanto? What is radical about organic farming? Read on and discover!

If these techniques are old- Does that mean we have become better stewards of our land by mass producing food for the exponentially growing population? Or have we found took a direction to the wrong path? What are ways to implement change?

Link: http://www.grist.org/article/small-is-beautiful-and-radical/

How personal actions can kick-start a Sustainability Revolution?

In this article entitled "How personal actions can kick-start a sustainability revolution" Cathryn Clarke Murray writes about the importance of taking small steps to promote a more sustainable world. Murray thinks that these small steps will help to transform the world one step at a time. She states "Practiced consistently, small steps facilitate both gradual evolution and rapid revolution for positive lasting change." By saying this she is recognizing that these small lifestyle changes like turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth will not change the world now but gradually it will make a difference. She also hopes that it inspires a new way of thinking and make us think of other ways we can help make our world more sustainable. She later goes on to talk of the importance of transforming sustainability into being something "cool" and virtuous". This is something that we are seeing and more and more each day. Hopefully being a sustainable person is something that remains cool and more people will strive to make our world a cleaner and better place.

Here is the link: http://www.grist.org/article/2010-02-01-how-personal-actions-can-kick-start-a-sustainability-revolution/

The hidden costs and benefits of things we take for granted

This article discusses the issue of “price” on products and how most consumers do not understand that the products they consume are much more expensive than they really think. This extra sum is from external costs. This article gives an example of the dollar(s) consumers spend on energy and the ever increasing external costs.

How can we educate society on external costs? What can you do to purchase products that have a more “true” cost?

Check out the article : http://www.grist.org/article/2010-02-09-the-hidden-costs-and-benefits-of-things-we-take-for-granted/

The Green Bible

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good." (Gen 1:31)

God is Green, and now so is his Book. We've all seen the Red Letter editions of the Bible where everything Jesus says appears in a sanguine red script, but now you can read the Green Bible. In the Green Bible every verse having to do with creation, stewardship, or the environment is written in green. It also has essays by Brian McLaren and Desmond Tutu, as well as prayers and reflections of John Paul II and St. Francis of Assisi.

In his essay Blessed are the Green of Heart which appeared in First Things this summer, Alan Jacobs reviewed this version of the Bible. Feel free to read his critique as he brings an interesting perspective to the climate of environmental discussion today, and though he is critical of the Green Bible, it seems he values the willingness to bring theology into the debate of environmentalism.

What do you think of this? Would you buy this? Does Jacob's critique make sense? How do you see religion and environmentalism working together?

If there are two things that people love to debate and squabble over, they are the environment and the Bible. Get two birds with one stone and crack it open.