Author: Clifton Ware

Sustainability Education Forum Editor-Publisher

Dr. Clifton Ware is an international figure in the world of voice pedagogy. During the the past fifty years of teaching students how to sing -- both nationally and internationally -- Clif developed his signature "Efficient and Authentic Voice Technique". What distinguishes his method is its holistic approach, simplicity, and effectiveness. Siingers find that they are able to ensure their vocal health while cultivating their own unique, expressive sound. This approach stands in sharp contrast to faddish techniques that encourage mimicking the vocalism, style, and qualities of other singers, possibly limiting their own vocal imprint and even harming their vocal instrument. The "Efficient and Authentic Voice Technique" produces singers that enjoy vocal power, range, ease, individuality, and a liberating learning process.

The Main Cause of Our Woes Is…

SEF News-Views Digest No. 91 (5-20-15)

US! Yes, inadvertently but most assuredly, we humans have helped create most of the woes encountered throughout our documented history. According to notable experts who theorize about potential future scenarios, the urgency we face today in creating a sustainable future may be attributed to our having been indoctrinated with the concept of unending economic growth. Of course, physics explains why there are limits to growth, and simple math explains how the phenomenon of compounding growth can generate uncomprehendingly vast numbers. For instance, consider how fast the national debt has grown in the last decade. Or how human population has increased multifold over the past 200 years, largely due to feasibly extractable natural resources, particularly fossil-carbon energy sources, which make possible most of our needs and wants.

Back in Action

SEF News-Views Digest No. 90 (5-13-15)

Did you miss receiving this newsletter over the past three weeks? With the overwhelming flood of information streaming through cyberspace, I suspect not. And I completely understand.

Bettye and I were traveling on a business-pleasure trip to Ohio that proved refreshing and pleasurable, including an opportunity to tour an amazing auto assembly plant. I realize manufacturing plants aren’t normally paragons of sustainability, but there is at least one exception.

Progressive Populism & Grassroots Activism

CFS News-Views Digest No. 89 (4-22-15) EARTH DAY

EVENT: Citizens for Sustainability Planning and Sharing Meeting, Sat., April 25^th, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Anthony Village City Hall Council Chambers. Open to all citizens interested in promoting resilience and long-term sustainability—for individuals, families, and communities.

The announcement above serves as a catalyst for discussing grassroots activism. If you’re not within commuting range of this meeting, there are other opportunities near you, including organizations you can join that are dedicated to developing resilient, sustainable communities. If perchance no appropriate groups are available, perhaps you might consider starting one!

Are We Slaves or Servants?

SEF News-Views Digest No. 88 (4-15-15)

In the context of a consuming, growth-oriented culture, are we modern-day humans living as slaves or servants? That is, are the material things (objects, plants, animals, and people) we spend time and energy caring for enslaving us, or do they provide service opportunities for accomplishing positive ends? Let’s begin by defining both terms.

Happiness versus Meaningfulness?

SEF News-Views Digest No. 87 (4-8-15)

Although words are leaky vessels for thoughts, they remain our most viable way of communicating with each other. Effective communication requires a shared understanding of words’ meanings. True, interpretations typically vary, sometimes considerably. In fact, most human conflicts occur due to misunderstandings over meanings of words, whether they are used singly or strung together in sentences and paragraphs.

So it comes as no surprise that when the words “happiness” and “meaningfulness” are used in conversations and writings, hearers or readers may not clearly grasp their intended possible meanings. And then there’s always the critical consideration of the context in which words are used, in addition to how they are expressed, which may convey hidden meanings or intentions.