sanctuary

Thursday, December 31, 2009

It's Your Money

Give some serious thought to "moving it" in 2010

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Free Virtual School

As we move away from the old societal structures, how we learn and process information is likely going to change. The one shoe fits all approach will give way to a more diverse learning model, especially as education will truly become a necessary lifetime endeavor.

One of the more interesting approaches I've come across is The Kahn Academy, a not-for-profit organization with its mission “of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere.” With over 1,000 videos, covering everything from basic arithmetic to evolutionary biology, The Kahn Academy provides a virtual and free education across the globe. This site is definitely worth visiting. You can look through the various videos. Go to http://www.khanacademy.org/ The Kahn Academy.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Saving $14 Billion

So how much food could the average person grow within 100 square feet? What if millions of individuals got rid of those drug addicted lawns and planted gardens instead? For a really interesting article go to
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/Square-Foot-Gardening-Food.aspx?utm_content=12.04.09+FG&utm_campaign=FG&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email  Grow $700 of Food in 100 Square Feet!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sustainability & Local Government

ICLEI-Local Government for Sustainability has issued its 2009 report. This is an association of local governments focusing on climate protection and sustainable development. There are 600 members in the United States. How has your region done? How has your city done? See http://www.icleiusa.org/action-center/affecting-policy/ICLEI%20USA%20Measuring%20Up%20Report%202009.pdf 2009 Annual Report

Friday, December 18, 2009

More Climate Data

The Annual Global Climate Risk Index for 2010 has just been released. The index shows the vulnerability of each country in the world and the financial costs of climate change. In terms of potential financial loss, the U.S., according to the report, ranks number one on the index. The methodology and the limitation of the report are explained on pp 4 and 13. See http://www.preventionweb.net/files/11973_GlobalClimateRiskIndex2010.pdf Risk Index 2010

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Indirect Carbon Market

Frontline World has a terrific video piece on one of the first “carbon preserves” in the world located in Brazil. As carbon trading begins to take shape, large international corporations look for ways to develop carbon “offsets.” It's how this particular story in one of the most biodiverse forests along Brazil's Atlantic coast started.

It has become a clash of the numerous stakeholders, from indigenous people to farmers, from the black market to preservation, from food to climate change. It is an important story because we are trying to balance how we can survive and prosper on this one planet together. Go to
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/carbonwatch/moneytree/ Brazil: The Money Market

Monday, December 14, 2009

Stolen E-Mail

Like it or not, for the time being, environmental journalists and climate scientists cannot ignore the continual mischief, cherry picking, and outright lies of the climate change denialists. In addition to doing a better job explaining climate change to the general public and actively supporting a far stronger science curriculum in schools, scientists and journalists need to demonstrate how climate denial more often than not has little to do with actual science. Too much is at stake.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Spreading the Food

Yes, hunger is a very real problem in America and getting worse. Here is a way communities and backyard gardeners can help. It may seem like a small endeavor but it's a path toward feeding people and building resilient communities throughout the country. Go to
http://www.ampleharvest.org/index.php Ample Harvest

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Boomerang and Flocking

Is the key cultural change? Marketing people and advertisers have been studying consumer behavior for well over 50 years. In fact, mass marketing began in the United States in the 1920s. Advertisers have to know why what people buy what stuff. Mistakes are costly.

It's the broad areas of environment and energy that have lagged way behind the “detergent” aisle. We've all heard the familiar complaint: “Why don't they get it, we've given them information and handed out brochures. Can't they see it?” Of course we are now beginning to understand a little better just who can not see. We have perhaps met the enemy.

Mistakes are going to be very costly for all of us if we do not get the environmental priorities figured out. How might a better understanding of human behavior move us toward energy efficiency, among other things? See
http://www.grist.org/article/2009-11-30-making-buildings-efficient-it-helps-to-understand-human-behavior Making buildings more efficient: It helps to understand human behavior.

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/11/19/19climatewire-how-understanding-the-human-mind-might-save-16335.html?pagewanted=1 How Understanding the Human Mind Might Save the World from CO2.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Some Farming Visionary (3)

If the goal is to create sustainable societies, how does the natural world work and how might we learn to be part of it?

Monday, December 07, 2009

Some Farming Visionary (2)

How can we fit in and survive within the natural world?

Friday, December 04, 2009

Some Farming Visionary (1)

How does critical thinking, observation, and common sense start the process of change? Watch this video.