The Big Bumper Book of Solutions

In my last post, I talked about the importance of looking at the positive. On that note, I sat down and tried to scribble in my notebook as many solutions for implementing a sustainable human society as I could. These are solutions that have already been invented, are being practised or researched, and which I … Continue reading →

Positive Media, Positive Reinforcement

Conventional environmentalism relies on persuading people not to do things, or to do things so other things don’t happen. People don’t seem to be responding to this “we need to do this quickly to avoid disaster” approach, at least not with the scale and speed required. Of course it’s ridiculous, and we really should, but we’re … Continue reading →

The Psychology of Change

Since the ‘70s, a growing body of people around the world have been sensing and observing that the way we treat our home planet is wrong. Unethical, unworkable, unfair, unsustainable… At first a trickle, then a stream, now a fairly hefty current of “alternative” or “ecologically minded” people are pushing against the mainstream. What I’m … Continue reading →

Carbon Calculators – An Evaluation

Carbon calculators are one of the strategies that have popped up over the last few years to engage people in reducing their carbon emissions. The idea is that if you know how much you’re producing, and how, then that’s the first step to making changes. It’s a good idea but I’m doing a (very) quick evaluation on … Continue reading →

The Earth Charter

Last night I found out about something amazing. It’s this international document called The Earth Charter. I feel it is most succinctly described by the official website: The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental ethical principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. The Earth Charter Initiative. It … Continue reading →

Sweet, sweet rainwater

In the world today, we have a water problem. Every living person needs clean water to drink. We also need water to bathe in, to wash our clothes, dinner plates and homes, and we need huge amounts of water in every industry, to grow food and produce every product we globally enjoy. But because there … Continue reading →

We made it to the future!

So… Welcome to 2012. I think the phrase “may you live in interesting times” is appropriate here. I have a feeling this year is going to be filled with many surprising turns of events. Some good, and some bad. Of course the very word “2012” now makes everyone think of ancient Mayan calendars and the end of the world. I’m … Continue reading →