Thomas Friedman’s documentary on the Discovery Channel which aired last Saturday was simply astounding. I really enjoyed learning a lot more about alternatives to fossil fuels in detail and getting the chance to “go” to places like Brazil and Montana to see how pioneers in energy alternatives are putting their big ideas into action. The special also went inside one of the new green Wal-Marts which actually heats itself using oil they use to fry their chickens in the store . If you didn’t get a chance to see the documentary - I think the Discovery Channel is airing it again, although I’ve looked on their website and can’t find any info on the repeat broadcast. When I find it, I’ll post it. It was a special everyone should see. One stat I remember Friedman stating was that in order to combat the global energy crisis, we’ll need to find a way to save the amount of energy we currently consume. Staggering - but Friedman and a lot of other crusaders think we can - and will. I like to hear that.
Europe Versus Us, No-brainer March 10, 2007
The European’s just passing an aggressive mandate on emissions reduction and the continent’s reliance on fossil fuels, don’t get me wrong, is wonderful. Unfortunately for those of us in this nation still permitted to virtually rest on our laurels with regard to global warming, this is just another embarrassing development, underlining the Bush administration’s joke of a plan. Here’s how we measure up internationally, now that Europe is committing to reduce emissions by 20% from levels in 1990, by the year 2020. Basically we’ve only very timidly announced that we’ll “work on” reducing our reliance on foreign oil and fossil fuels, and that we’ll continue to make sure that emissions rates increase at a slower rate than the economy. Maybe I’m missing something, but how does this actually help us fight global warming? What makes the Bush Administration think this should be acceptable, with our rate of emissions barely beneath the economy growth rate? Please, let us be the ambitious ones on this issue! Otherwise, it just won’t be enough. The Europeans get it, and they’re not even the biggest contributors to the problem. We are, yet we apparently just can’t recognize it or maybe, just can’t take responsibility for our own actions.
To sum it up, just compare these two headlines:
Ten Friends by March 21st March 4, 2007
Al Gore is asking that those who truly want to see Congress take ACTION on global warming to get ten friends to write a letter to Congress via his website. I just did it, and it took less than ten minutes. On March 21st, Al Gore will be hand-delivering these letters when he testifies at congressional hearings on the issue. I know I’m gonna do my best to try and get ten friends to do it. If you can, please do so as well. This is so important and takes so little time. Thanks in advance to anyone who participates. Also if you want to forward the URL to your friends, it is: http://www.algore.com/cards.html.
Go, Ohio! Arbor Day Plans March 4, 2007
“Ohio leads the nation in the number of certified Tree City USA communities. The governor of Ohio proclaims Arbor Day each year with an official resolution.”
– Celebrating Arbor Day in Ohio
Hey, with Cleveland also leading the national per capita poverty rate, this is a sign of light that this ain’t such a bad place to live after all. (Said in jest. I’ve bought a home here and actually give Cleveland a decent amount of respect for contributing to positive change, across the board, in my life.)
Arbor Day in Ohio is the last Friday in April. This year we will be celebrating by planting a tree and/ or participating in other related festivities. When we moved in to this house last year, we planted a small pear tree in the front lawn to signify our new life here. I just hope the cute little guy survived the winter! Maybe we’ll plant him a little brother or sister nearby to keep him company next year.
(Thanks Tony for the idea for this post!)
Some Serious Snow February 14, 2007
We’ve received between 12 and 18 inches of so or so here in Cleveland, and it’s no joke! I measured the drifts at my house and they’re about 18 inches and the driveway measured in at about 12 to 14. I had to stay home from work because I was literally snowed in, and that is very unusual, especially since we are pretty much ready for big storms around here. I looked out my window this morning and almost no one was driving (we were actually advised to stay off of the roads today). Road conditions were so bad last night that visibility was close to zero, and it took me close to three hours to get home from work. When we did get home, it was all I could do to get the car off of the street and into the driveway. At that point we were plain stuck because I couldn’t barrel over all the snow in the drive, even in a 4×4.
It’s a bit odd to think of global “warming” at a time like this, but it’s not so strange to see this as evidence of climate change. I’m reminded of Al Gore talking in “An Inconvenient Truth” about how climate patterns all over the world are becoming less predictable and more chaotic. In the middle of a long, hard blizzard that caused massive snow accumulation - I can see how new climate extremes are beginning to rear their ugly heads. Here are some photos to give you the full effect. The snow plow couldn’t get past my stuck car, so I had to shovel a small “path” just so we can walk down the driveway.
Little Big Muffins February 11, 2007
Tonight we made organic, apple-cinnamon, mini-muffins. A simple recipe, I just added a bit of diced organic apple and organic half-and-half to a mix I bought at the store. Aria and I have been enjoying them already tonight, although we actually made them as a grab-and-go breakfast item for this coming up week. Hopefully they’ll last ’til then!
This weekend has been one filled with cooking, relaxation and today, spiritual cleansing. We heard the sermon of a substitute pastor at church this morning (he’s a friend of our pastor’s and was serving our church in her absence today). Even at appearances, it was obvious the pastor’s message would be unusual today. The substitute pastor was a tall man of African-American descent who spoke with a big, booming voice. Our regular pastor is female, relatively soft-spoken and Caucasian.
I bring this up mainly because I couldn’t help being reminded of Martin Luther King, Jr. as the pastor spoke to the congregation this morning. His message was powerful. I was moved to tears more than once. He talked - like Martin Luther King, Jr. did - about how the world is not as it should with regard to human equality and justice. He said, the world is more ”inside-out and upside down” than it is anything else, where so much of our western culture idolizes celebrities with, at best, questionable public personnas and supports politicians with, at best, questionable agendas. Despite this, we must, individually, consciously and continuously strive for an ideal (”a dream”) of divine justice by working to make this world a better place for the less fortunate. We are called to care for those who cannot do for themselves now. Not only for the sick and the suffering of today, but also for those who cannot yet do for themselves. This includes our children and future generations - those who will be here long after we are gone. To the children and generations of the future we have a responsibility to live right - or at least, to live a little more mindfully of others.
So as Aria and I eat our “mini” muffins this week, I hope I’m reminded that it’s the little things that matter. It’s the little acts of caring about our environment, of reaching out a hand to open a door for someone else, of giving a little of our time and money - that will acumulate and grow into something much bigger. It all matters, and it can lead to the change needed to preserve us as a people, to preserve our place on this planet we call home.
“Momentum Building,” Finally? February 5, 2007
A panel of the world’s leading climate scientists and gov’t officials is reporting that momentum is finally building across the world about the global warming crisis… but they also report that the problem is so huge, it is not really “stoppable” at this point. We can only hope to make it less severe. However, since the climate change effects are going to be so dramatic, we absolutely have to make every effort to curb the problem at the highest possible human level. To not act would be, as South Africa’s Environmental Affairs Minister said, “indefensible.” Even with this latest report, which the Bush Administration has reportedly praised, the U.S. is still not agreeing to mandatory emissions cuts - saying that the desired cut-backs can be achieved through reliance on new technologies to curb greenhouse gasses and decrease the burning of fossil fuels. That’s great and all, but if you read the article about the report, it’s crazy that we’re still “allowed” to not take stronger action. We continue to effectively do nothing but allow selfishness to reign supreme.
Groundhogs Up Earlier this Year? February 1, 2007
This headline takes the cake. “Global Warming Wakes Groundhogs Earlier.” It’s a serious article, and although the title might sound comical, it’s based on scientific findings!
Family Inspiration February 1, 2007
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here. In short, life got in the way. My Grandparents have been so kind as to travel to Cleveland to help me solve some unexpected and difficult home maintenance problems. They truly are “super-human” and unbelievably service-oriented people, really an inspiration. As such they’ve made many a trip here from western Kentucky to help me out when times get extra tough. This time the downstairs toilet went kaputz (and was deemed relatively inoperable by the plumber I’d called), as did the ice maker and several previously working doors in the house. I’m sure that’s more information than you want to know, but I just thought I’d share the reason I haven’t been around for a while. Back to the main subject of this blog, one of the frequent topics of conversation during my Grandparents visit was their noting the change in the contents of our food pantry and refridgerator. My Grandmother asked me whether I’d started shopping at the health food stores, and I said, “yes.” And she said, “well isn’t it much more expensive”? I replied that yes, it was but if you make a list and get just what you need, it’s still doable on a budget. Especially if you shop at one of the larger eco-friendly stores like Wild Oats or Whole Foods versus the family owned grocery that also stocks organics. The more established chains can afford to have a sale once in a while. My Grandmother seemed to be ok with that rationale, and that made me happy - because her opinion counts an awful lot!
Coastal Insurance Policies Being Canceled January 25, 2007
I am glad I don’t own coastal property right now… not that I could afford it anyway. But to think property owners on the coast lines are having such a hard time finding insurance, and are at risk of getting their existing policies canceled, is downright scary. If you read through this whole article, you’ll see we’re not any of us protected from the threat of losing insurance, really. The fact is, global warming is producing such unpredictable and volatile weather patterns that we all may be at risk of losing what we have. I just pray that working together as people of this great planet, will actually make a difference in all this.
