Category: Sustainability Education Forum

SEF News-Views Digest No. 104
You’ll probably be glad to learn there will be no newsletter for the next two weeks, until Sept. 23. We’re heading for the North Shore of Lake Superior to enjoy majestic views (see above photo), hike some trails, and get rejuvenated.

• EVENT —Citizens for Sustainability: Ongoing Planning Forum, Sat., Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Anthony Village Community Center. Open to anyone interested in creating vibrant, resilient, and sustainable communities. Ya’ll come, now, ya’ hear?

SEF NEWS-VIEWS DIGEST NO. 103 (8-26-15)

Like many Americans, I’m not very enthusiastic about economic or financial concerns. I like what money provides, but I don’t worship it. Thankfully, our parents had lived through the Great Depression, and from them we learned the value of honestly earned money, along with important lessons about using it wisely, saving as much as possible, and avoiding debt. Bankruptcy was considered a major sin, and was to be avoided it at all costs. Nowadays, of course, it’s more socially acceptable—and even a practical path to resolving crippling debt.

SEF No. 102 (4 U)

Here’s an appropriate metaphor for illustrating our relationship with the planet: the earth’s battery is slowly running out of energy. Millions of years of stored sunlight—in the form of fossil-based carbon—are rapidly depleting, thanks to humanity’s enormous hunger for accumulating excessive stuff, depending on work-saving devices and services, and enjoying experiential opportunities. The first article in Views—“The Earth’s Battery is Running Low” by Andrew Nikiforuk—explains this metaphor, so I’ll not elaborate further.

SEF News-Views Digest No. 101 (8-12-15)

I suppose you’ve noticed that recent issues of this newsletter have begun with sustainability views, followed by current news, and concluded with examples of activism underway to achieve solutions—night and day! Let me explain why I’ve chosen this particular format.

As a former philosophy major (also music)

SEF News-Views Digest No. 100 (8-5-15)

It’s hard to believe this is the 100^th issue of this e-newsletter, which was initiated in spring of 2013. During this past two-year-plus period, a few weeks were missed due to out-of-town trips. The format has evolved along the way, including this issue, which has been simplified into four sections: Views, News, Action-Solutions, and Events-Information. Also, future commentaries may well focus on selected articles that stimulate my thinking and provide inspiration to continue spreading the word about creating greater resilience and sustainability.