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?
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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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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Make No Impact, Leave No Trace
Those of us that enjoy hiking through the woods, kayaking down rivers, and general spending time in nature hold one philosophy above all others: Leave No Trace. It’s a simple concept; while you are enjoying wilderness without signs of human presence, take steps to ensure that those who come after you can enjoy nature in … Continue reading Make No Impact, Leave No Trace
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Five Reasons I Love ‘Light Green’
Happy “Bike to Work Day!” As many people did this morning, I used my bike pedal to get to work instead of my gas pedal. My reason was primarily environmental: why contribute to climate change when I can make the trip emissions free and enjoy some fresh air to boot? It’s a tiny thing in the … Continue reading Five Reasons I Love ‘Light Green’
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The Environmental Quagmire of Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is in a bit of a bind. With powerful fossil fuel lobbies on one side and anti-nuclear groups on the other, some spectators feel that the U.S. nuclear industry is destined to collapse. Profitability issues, ever present safety concerns, and difficulty providing a per unit price on par with natural gas and wind … Continue reading The Environmental Quagmire of Nuclear Power
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NIMBY and the Social Gap Collide
We need to train ourselves to see our new, clean power plants not as an unsightly necessity, but as a source of local pride and autonomy.
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Our Failed Climate Change Defense
Let’s talk about legal defenses that should not work. You get pulled over. You get asked if you’ve been drinking. You have. You try to deny it. You conjure up all the rationale and excuses you can find in your ethanol addled mind to explain why this isn’t what it looks like. But when the officer … Continue reading Our Failed Climate Change Defense
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The Cold Reality of Inhofe’s Snowball Stunt
“The trick is to keep your identity separate from your opinions,” begins one of the most insightful quotes I have heard in some time. YouTube educator and general internet sage CGP Grey continues on to explain how opinions are merely objects in a box that people carry with them and they should be easily replaceable. … Continue reading The Cold Reality of Inhofe’s Snowball Stunt
Grant Samms 