Author Archives: Beatrice DeCleyre

Beatrice DeCleyre

Politics and Social Justice Editor

Coming of age in New York City, Beatrice was always fascinated with the green public spaces in her beautiful, manic city. Now she works in community development, exploring the democratic promise of green spaces and the budding radical potential of community gardens. She sees that people are empowered when they control their own food supply. Therefore she believes that public spaces are democratic, but green spaces are revolutionary. She contributes to ecolutionist regularly in the hopes of inspiring others to consider how our social and political structures would change if we lived in a more sustainable world.

Defense Energy Project

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 02/15/12

Photo by L.C.Nøttaasen via flickr

TreeHugger.com’s Brian Merchant, MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan, and NASA’s James Hansen recently discussed an economic strategy to reduce carbon emissions and inspire Green innovation. It’s called the Defense Energy Project, and it simultaneously diagnoses the systemic causes of our addiction to fossil fuels – especially oil – and provides rational, market-driven solutions.

Read more

Posted in Climate, Conservation, Ecology, Energy, Politics | Tagged , , | 1

Vermont Works to Ban Fracking

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 01/31/12

Photo of view in Vermont by Donna Kohut

Last week, the state of Vermont began legally fortifying itself against the wave of hydraulic fracturing that is currently sweeping the nation. The State House Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee unanimously passed a bill that places a 3-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in the state. The moratorium would provide enough time for the Environmental Protection Agency to complete the studies necessary for the state to determine whether an outright ban is appropriate.

Read more

Posted in Community, Conservation, Energy, Politics | Tagged | 1

New York Inspires Fracktivists

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 01/27/12

Photo by Marcellus Protest via flickr

The anti-fracking movement is solidifying its foundation in grassroots organization’s loosely knit groups of concerned citizens. Quiet bands of citizens are coming together to protect their regions from shale gas exploitation. International corporations are licking their chops just thinking about releasing the profit potential hidden under the Marcellus Shale formation, which stretches from New York to Ohio to West Virginia.

Read more

Posted in Community, Conservation, Energy, Politics | Tagged , , , | 0

XL “Victory” Is Not What It Seems

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 01/19/12

Photo by A Siegel via flickr

National headlines declared environmental victory on Wednesday after President Obama rejected the construction and operation of the XL Pipeline. But this rejection does not prevent the project from going forward at a future date.

Read more

Posted in Community, Conservation, Energy, Nature, Politics, Social Justice | Tagged , , , | 0

Silent People, Silent Spring

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 01/13/12

Photo taken in Papua New Guinea by eGuideTravel via flickr

Americans are learning that their rights are deeply connected to the Rights of Nature. For quite a while, we had the luxury (stupidity) of trashing foreign lands for profit and our own energy needs. But now that we are increasing domestic extraction of resources – right from under our own feet – we are witnessing firsthand the consequences of our addiction to fossil fuels. We do not like what we see or smell or taste or drink.

Read more

Posted in Climate, Community, Conservation, Ecology, Energy, Health, Nature, Politics, Social Justice | Tagged , , , , , , | 0

Fracking: The New Interstate Trade

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 01/05/12

Photo by ProgressOhio via flickr

Thanks to the natural gas industry, toxic waste and earthquakes are the next big thing in interstate trade. Ohio has been accepting the wastewater from Pennsylvania’s natural gas wells since July 2011, paying 20 cents or more per gallon. And now that same fracking wastewater is thought to be the cause of a string of earthquakes in Ohio.

Read more

Posted in Conservation, Ecology, Politics | Tagged , , , | 1

The Future of Green Goddesses

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 01/03/12

Photo of Vandana Shiva by MillionsAgainstMonsanto via flickr

We live in a culture that is unsustainable and unjust. Our economic system is based on the objectification and exploitation of the planet, its “resources,” and of the workers who “develop” those “resources.” But perhaps there is no other group that understands the dynamic of objectification and oppression more than women.

Read more

Posted in Community, Culture, Politics, Social Justice | Tagged , , , , , | 0

2011 – Year of the Anti-Environment Congress

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 12/23/11

Image by DonkeyHotey via flickr

Based on a recent study of Congressional votes in 2011, there is no hope at all. 2011 is recorded as the most anti-environment Congressional year to date. And if the last 72 hours are any indication, this bill is sure to solidify this year’s place in history.

Read more

Posted in Climate, Conservation, Energy, Politics | Tagged , | 0

Controversial Bill Reveals Attack on EPA

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 12/12/11

Photo by Zieak via flickr

A battle is raging on Capitol Hill over a bill that – among other things – would extend payroll tax cuts to 160 million American workers and extend unemployment benefits. Met with Republican opposition, provisions were added to the bill, supposedly intended to inspire compromise between parties. In reality, these new provisions effectively hold our economy and environment hostage for the sake of industry.

Read more

Posted in Climate, Community, Conservation, Energy, Health, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 0

Study May End 30-Year Moratorium on Uranium Development

By Beatrice DeCleyre , Published: 12/06/11

Photo via flickr by Alberto OG

Nuclear energy is touted as a green alternative to coal-fired power plants, as nuclear power plants release considerably lower emissions. The argument does not usually go much further than this. Soon, however, the state of Virginia will dig much deeper into this issue, and the health of its waterways depends on it.

Read more

Posted in Climate, Community, Conservation, Ecology, Politics, Science | Tagged , | 0