Memorial Day and the Meaning of Patriotism
I’m fairly sure this is the first mention of Libertarian Ron Paul, whose very worthwhile comment on our war-like nature is featured here. (more…)
Tagged with: conscientious objectors
Thoughts on Memorial Day
Each Memorial Day, we Americans commemorate our fallen soldiers, and thank them posthumously for making the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Unfortunately, few of us take the opportunity to reflect on what the U.S. military actually means to us citizens. (more…)
Tagged with: world peace
Take a Cool Guess—The Fun Quiz on Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability. Today’s Topic: The Distribution of the World’s Plastic Pollution
Question: Any piece of plastic, thrown anywhere into an ocean, can be found literally anywhere in the world’s five oceans in as little as 25 years. But are there any points on Earth where plastic waste tends to collect more than others?
Also, where are the Cocos Islands, and what’s their story? (more…)
NBC News Reports on Russia’s Attacks on U.S. Democracy
NBC News: LONDON — Russians who were linked to interference in the 2016 U.S. election discussed ambitious plans to stoke unrest and even violence inside the U.S. as recently as 2018, according to documents reviewed by NBC News. Full article here. (more…)
Tagged with: Attacks on U.S. Democracy
File Under “Products You Don’t Need”
Participating in the sustainability movement means, among other things, avoiding the acquisition of stuff you really don’t need–and here’s a fabulous example: the transparent bubble tent. Looks vaguely appealing until you realize that it: (more…)
Climate Change Graphic
If you’re as big a sucker for cool graphics depicting the increase of global temperatures as I am, you’ll like this.
An Optimistic Thought About These Horrific Times
When the Salem witch trials were over less than a year after they began in 1692, sanity was restored, the apologies were made–and most people had no idea how or why all this had started; some, within a period of just a few months, doubted that it had even taken place. All the savagery, treachery and hysteria had vanished just as fog lifts, just as quickly and mysteriously as it had rolled in.
(more…)
Infinite Growth Required for a Planet of Finite Size: What Could Go Wrong?
As we approach the 50th anniversary of The Limits of Growth by Donella Meadows et al., it’s interesting, albeit disturbing, to note all the newly emerging factors that conspire to worsen the prognosis of the survival of humankind since the book’s publication in 1972.
While this post was really just an excuse to republish this fabulous cartoon by Gary Larsen, the human race really is on the wrong track vis-a-vis sustainability, driven largely, I think, by the huge and ever-growing concentrations of wealth in the hands of a few, and the consequent desperation of the many. If it were in his power, the average person would like to get on board with things like climate change mitigation and the rest, but the economic times, which are continuing to worsen, make this extremely challenging.
Books on Deforestation
Deforested area in Brazil’s northern state of Para
I’m occasionally asked if I have plans for another book project, and at this point, the answer is no. The reason is suggested in this article, pointing to the simplicity of planting trees, or at least stopping the rampant deforestation of the planet’s surface. (more…)
In U.S., Far Right Wing Prepares for Civil War
Below is a post from Milo Yiannopoulos, one of the right-wing extremists who, after a great degree of deliberation, has been banned from Facebook. (more…)
