Much publicity was generated recently by a court case in Montana (Held v. State of Montana). A nonprofit called Our Children’s Trust, acting on behalf of 16 young Montanans, sued the state claiming young people have a constitutional right to a healthful environment and the state must consider potential climate
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Views from the Beltline: Japan—role model for a sustainable future?
There was a time, specifically the late 80s and early 90s, when the land of the rising sun was being touted as the new economic superpower. Since the end of WWII, the country’s industries had become increasingly competitive against the West. Some of its corporations—Sony, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, etc.—had become
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: An open letter to Premier Smith
I didn’t vote for Danielle Smith and her party, nonetheless I thought congratulations on her victory were in order. Consequently I wrote her the following letter. Dear Premier Smith: Congratulations on your success in the recent election. You now have the opportunity to help prepare Alberta for success in the
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Generative AI—threat or opportunity?
“No contract! No content!” and “Here’s a pitch: Pay us, Bitch!” Thus the Hollywood members of the Writers Guild of America colourfully voice their views during their strike against the studios, streaming services and networks. It is expected to last a while. The last one, in 2007-08, lasted 100 days.
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Are we on a path to sustainability?
Humanity’s biggest challenge is sustainability. How does our avaricious species live within the natural constraints of the planet? Certain global trends suggest we may inadvertently be answering that question. Superficially appearing to be matters for concern, these trends may to the contrary be setting us on a path to sustainability.
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Some encouraging support for net zero
Below is an open letter that appeared as an ad in the National Post and The Hill Times. The letter recognizes that our “major trading partners have already moved aggressively and swiftly” toward a sustainable economy and strongly recommends we do the same. I was so impressed that these signatories—leading
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Some encouraging support for net zero
Below is an open letter that appeared as an ad in the National Post and The Hill Times. The letter recognizes that our “major trading partners have already moved aggressively and swiftly” toward a sustainable economy and strongly recommends we do the same. I was so impressed that these signatories—leading
Continue readingThings Are Good: The Suburbs Are Bad, Here’s How to Make Them Good
We need to change the way we build and live if we’re going to avert catastrophic climate change, and it’s time we think about the biggest carbon offender: the suburbs. Suburban living is car-centric, energy intensive due to the design of the houses, more expensive to maintain due to low
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: The Central Challenge Of Our Time
What is the central challenge of our time? It is not what most people think it is. It is not race or gender, or climate change, or the environment broadly, or issues of war and peace, or poverty, or justice, or equality, or fighting terrorism, crime or violence, WMDs and
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: The Collapse of Modern Civilization
More than 150 years ago Thoreau commented, “Our sills are all rotten.” He was right. It is for that reason that Western, and Westernized, “modern” “civilization” is collapsing. This could be cataclysmic, of course, (as in, an ecological holocaust), or relatively peaceful, (akin to the Maya abandoning their great cities
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Reflections On Stillness & Action
We need stillness and action – both, and urgently so. This should be becoming perfectly clear. I’ve travelled through 20 countries, but still I find stillness the greatest adventure, and most rewarding, enriching journey of all. Going to the mountain top is exceedingly worthwhile, but going deep within is what
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Degeneration, Collapse, and Rebirth
What we are facing is systemic degeneration: ecologically, culturally, spiritually, intellectually, psychologically, socially, and biologically in terms of degenerating health and shortening life spans. This is the slow-motion collapse of a civilization. What is needed is not to self-medicate or mask the symptoms, or to manage the symptoms of degeneration,
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Wednesday Morning Links
Assorted content for your Wednesday reading. – Matt Bruenig discusses the many opportunities available to expand the reach of public ownership in the U.S.: The state can very competently own retail and manufacturing companies by simply buying up their stock and acting like an institutional investor. For instance, a social
Continue readingThings Are Good: This New Paris Community Demonstrates Sustainable Cities
In the capital of France, the new Clichy-Batignolles development demonstrates how a city can have a carbon-neutral footprint while providing modern living. The development itself is built on old industrial lands and includes community housing, a theatre, and many other important features of a city including a massive park. The
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Brad Delong writes that political choices – not a lack of resources – are responsible for the limited progress being made toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. – Matt Bruenig weighs in on the U.S.’ unprecedented levels of wealth inequality. And Bill
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: We only have one Earth, and we’re overshooting its capacity
As our burgeoning demands on the Earth continue to overshoot its capacity to renew resources, it’s time for a serious rethink, argues David Suzuki. Basically, we’re “using up the biological capital that should be our children’s legacy.” The post We only have one Earth, and we’re overshooting its capacity appeared
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Assorted content to start your week. – Paul Buchheit discusses the U.S.’ combination of increasing inequality, systematic tax evasion and false promises of social mobility. Michael Savage reports that even UK Cons are recognizing that a refusal to ensure that the rich pay their fair share makes for bad politics.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Karen Foster and Tamara Krawchenko discuss how policy can – and should – be designed to improve intergenerational equity: Canada trails far behind other industrialized nations in its attention to intergenerational equity. The country could do far more to report on a
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Sustainability Needs To Be More Than Just A Word
A Star letter-writer has an insight on sustainability well-worth sharing: Re: Canada a model for sustainable forestry, Letter June 19Reading the response to Thomas Walkom’s editorial from Forest Products Association of Canada and Ontario Forest Indus…
Continue readingThings Are Good: The Importance of Infrastructure Changes for a Sustainable World
With COP21 happening this week in Paris there are many approaches to fighting climate change being discussed. No matter what approach is used there will have to be structural changes in how energy is delivered and how goods are transported. Over at Gizmodo they took a look at how quickly we can transition to a […]
The post The Importance of Infrastructure Changes for a Sustainable World appeared first on Things Are Good.
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