Image Credit: BFS Man (CC-BY, flickr) John D. Rockefeller had a growing problem on his hands. His strategic investments in petroleum refinement had given him a near monopoly over that industry; 90% of the market bore his name. Yet, he quickly found a limit to the growth of his business in the cost of transporting crude … Continue reading Why Surging Renewable Energy May Revive DC Electricity
How we Compensate Communities for Hosting our Clean Energy Future Matters
The history of energy development in the United States has always been an exceptionally individualistic affair. For instance, the wildcatters of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century applied a winner take all mentality to their oil production. According to the Rule of Capture, if you’re the first to exploit a resource, you own that … Continue reading How we Compensate Communities for Hosting our Clean Energy Future Matters
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For Oysters, Climate Change Means More Flooding and A Harsh Environment
“And this,” my uncle told me, “is the best food to ever exist.” He spun the icy plate around, with its small dishes of cocktail sauce and horseradish, it’s wedges of lemon, and presented me half of a glistening shell containing a small lump of briny meat. “It’s local,” he informed me. An oyster. Raw. … Continue reading For Oysters, Climate Change Means More Flooding and A Harsh Environment
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Finding the Root of Food Deserts
Food deserts have become a much discussed issue in the public policy sphere. After all, improving food access in areas bereft of nutritious options is as much of a political ‘gimmie’ as saying schools should be good and roads should be smooth. While the particulars of addressing food insecurity can quickly become politically contentious, it’s … Continue reading Finding the Root of Food Deserts
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Climate Change is Robbing Our Food of Nutrients
There’s a thief about. Skulking in the forests and in the and fields. Quietly taking from our food valuable nutrients that we depend on. Lowering our ability to feed our families and raise healthy children, this theft is occurring in a way we don’t fully understand. It’s a theft that Irakli Loladze, a mathematical biologist, … Continue reading Climate Change is Robbing Our Food of Nutrients
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Climate Change and Obesity Rates Share Both Causes and Solutions
Can we talk about intractable social problems for a second? I mean those really complex, sticky, multi-faceted, turbulent, wicked problems that have don’t have solutions so much as they have a general haze of caveats. Perhaps they have obvious, surface level solutions. But buried underneath that thin promise of simplicity is a labyrinth of asterisks. … Continue reading Climate Change and Obesity Rates Share Both Causes and Solutions
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What Can I Do About Climate Change?
The last of the napkins, receipts, and assorted papers settled back down as I closed the door; sealing off the restaurant from the blustery, Pittsburgh night. “Are you still serving food?” I asked of the bartender. “Sure,” he replied. It seemed like a pertinent question at 11pm. Conferences let out so late. This past October, … Continue reading What Can I Do About Climate Change?
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Climate Change Isn’t Just a Problem; It’s a Wicked Problem
Twelfth place. That’s where the livability of our shared home sits in the minds of US voters. During the 2016 US presidential election, Pew found that “the environment” was the twelfth most important issue for voters. In front of “the environment” were eleven other things we said should take precedence over problems like climate change. … Continue reading Climate Change Isn’t Just a Problem; It’s a Wicked Problem
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The Re-Reemergence of Energy Efficient Houses
We used to have a simple and poignant idea: that structures should be built to harmonize with their surroundings. We took the ideas of our ancestors, people who never knew about electricity, air conditioners, or on-demand-hot water, and incorporated their inherent morality into our own spaces. Then Americans cast it aside our post-war, 1950s scramble … Continue reading The Re-Reemergence of Energy Efficient Houses
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Religion Holds Movement Building Lessons for Climate Change
“Just look at the friendliest person in the room.” That’s always the advice. I’ve done stuff like this before, but why am I so nervous now? What are there like 20 people here? I’ve spoken in front of a lot more people than this. 1,200 in fact. And singing was involved. “If someone looks mad … Continue reading Religion Holds Movement Building Lessons for Climate Change
