Category Archives: Community

Captain Charles Moore: The Seas of Plastic

By Kyle Empringham , Published: 02/02/12

Photo by AbyssWriter via flickr

This week, I had the pleasure of watching Capt. Charles Moore, founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, talk about his journey with plastics in our ocean. Within minutes of his presentation, you couldn’t help but feel for this concerning issue that simply doesn’t get enough media attention.

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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.

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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.

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Lost Pathways to California Beaches

By Marissa Payne , Published: 01/24/12

Photo of private beach path in Malibu, CA by beachhouse.malibu via flickr

California Coastal Commission members were surprised to find out that a large amount of Los Angeles County’s most desirable beaches were not being used by the public. In order to see what the problem was for themselves, they went on a bus tour that lead to some disappointing answers.

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Tying My Shoe’s: The Sustainable Thing to Do

By Kyle Empringham , Published: 01/20/12

Photo by madame.furie via flickr

While walking home the other day, I noticed my shoe was untied. In a lethargic fashion, I first didn’t care about my laces swaying to and fro as I walked. After some thought, I tied my shoe – not because it was annoying, but because it was the more sustainable thing to do.

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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.

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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.

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Renewing Reefs in Puerto Rico

By Marissa Payne , Published: 01/11/12

Photo of Puerto Rico shore by lovehateplastic via flickr

Funding by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has allowed for the Rincon, Puerto Rico chapter of the Surfrider Foundation to continue progress on their marine debris removal and prevention project. So far the project has been a success and has received much support from the community.

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Compact Condo

By Jo Corrall , Published: 01/04/12

Photo by Telstar Logistics via flickr

Bigger is not necessarily better. At least when it comes to houses. This year in America the average house size has decreased slightly. Most likely due to the (*sigh*) “Current Economic Climate” and other money issues. But possibly this dent could be attributed to these little homes making a rather big impact.

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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.

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