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
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
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Who’s to Blame for Climate Change Again?
It’s an unfortunate reality that we humans have some critical flaws. One such flaw is our difficulty in recognizing crises if they don’t feel immanent and specific. It is entirely possible that we can see a situation as a serious problem, know that we should do something, and then fail to find the motivation to … Continue reading Who’s to Blame for Climate Change Again?
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For the Chesapeake Bay’s Blue Crab, Framing is a Matter of Importance
It’s the sizzling sound of arthropod that bring the crowd around. Finally, after all the work; after all the effort of catching and cleaning; the crab cakes are lowered into a frothing sea of molten butter. One by one, the gathered lumps of blue crab meat descend and undergo their delicious metamorphosis. I may have … Continue reading For the Chesapeake Bay’s Blue Crab, Framing is a Matter of Importance
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When Recycling Plastic Beverage Bottles, Every Drop Counts
“There’s no point in recycling,” goes the argument, “because it’s just a drop in the bucket.” How much can it really accomplish? Why should people spend energy on trivial things like recycling or reusable shopping bags when it feels like you are trying to push back the tide with your bare hands? Just one drop … Continue reading When Recycling Plastic Beverage Bottles, Every Drop Counts
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Am I a Consumerist?
That’s been the thought rattling around in my head the past few weeks. I know that I live in a wealthy and industrialized nation. I know that the United States has second highest carbon emissions in the world. Plus, I know that I live in a nation where I have an obscene amount of opportunities … Continue reading Am I a Consumerist?
Grant Samms 