The most striking aspect of my time in Israel with the group, Interfaith Peace-Builders, was in many ways the lack of compassion and the high levels of complicity, which brought to light just some of the ways that we as Americans are blinded by our own complicity and lack of compassion. It is easy to [...]
Will fossil fuel companies face liability for climate change?
In a recent article in National Journal, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) President Tim Phillips said there is no question that AFP and others like it have been instrumental in the rise of Republican candidates who question or deny climate science: “We’ve made great headway. What it means for candidates on the Republican side is, if you … [...]
Beyond Disposable: A Paradigm Shift in Consumer Living
All day, everyday, we do it without really thinking about it. Pull that coffee filter full of spent grounds out of the machine after your morning cuppa, and toss it into the kitchen trash. Grab a paper towel from the office pantry to serve as a napkin for your lunch break, wipe your mouth and [...]
Why You Should Care About Land Grabs
How Do You Grab Land? The recent phenomenon of aggressive land takeovers, also known as land grabs, has resulted in the taking of enormous portions of land throughout Africa. In 2009 alone, nearly 60 million hectares of land was purchased or leased throughout the continent for the production and export of food, cut flowers, and [...]
Drilling in the Arctic: Perspectives from an Alaska Native
On October 3, 2011, the Obama administration said it was moving forward with oil-drilling leases off the coast of Alaska issued by the Bush administration in 2008. The leases had been challenged by environmental groups, opposition that gained momentum after the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. Yet the Interior Department said it would uphold nearly [...]
Liberalizing the Economy May Crush the Culture of One Small Island
The flight from Seoul to Jeju Island is only 45 minutes, but in Korea this is as far from mainland Korea you can get geographically and mentally. Jeju is a volcanic island located half way between the Korean mainland and the western tip of Japan. It is an island set apart from the rest of [...]
How Can We Trust Pakistan?
It’s been four months since the day an elite team of Navy Seals swooped down onto a mansion in Abbottabad, Pakistan and vanquished the most wanted terrorist in the world. One of President Obama’s principal foreign policy goals was that if he had actual intelligence on Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts, he would not hesitate to [...]
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Science & Technology
A Solar Notebook That Outlasts What’s Out There: A Green Gadget Spotlight
This is the official re-launch of my series Green Gadget Spotlight, among the missing for far too long. This series will focus on the latest eco-innovations and green gadgets and will hopefully provide you with fun, interesting and useful information. Be sure to come back and see what’s next in this series! For those who’ve [...]
Creating Solutions
Resistance in Israel/Palestine
Israelis are setting up tents around the country in this newest phase of protest against the rising costs of living. That may be the only news of Israel you’ll see this week, aside from the gunfire exchanged between Israeli and Lebanon troops on the border Sunday, but you would be unlikely to see any other [...]
Environment
The Revolution is in the Dirt
As Raj Patel illuminated in his 2007 book Stuffed and Starved, the global food system–dominated by large multinational corporations–does not work for most of us. Those of us who live in developed, Westernized nations are eating (on average) more than we should, while those who labor to produce the food we over-consume are starving. Millions [...]
Current Events, Politics & Economy
Single Mothers a Public Health Problem? Depends on Who is Asking the Question
“Unwed mothers suffer long-term health woes,” read the headline in the Los Angeles Times on June 2. I felt myself cringe as I took it in, not just because of the significance of this statement, but also because of the use of the term “unwed mother.” After reading the full article, my initial cringe turned [...]
Gender & Feminism
It’s Time to Stand Up to Singlism
The widespread stereotyping and discrimination against people who are single has long gone unrecognized, unnamed, and unchallenged. I call it SINGLISM. I have done a lot of battling of singlism in my own writing, but now I have help from 28 other people who have contributed to my new book, “Singlism: What It Is, Why [...]
Current Events, Politics & Economy
Politics vs. Government: How Budget Battles Aren’t Taking Us Anywhere We Want to Live
Much of the coverage and discussion on Federal and State budgets centers on the politics of the situation, rather than the responsibilities and role of government. Is this because people’s eyes glaze over when huge numbers are thrown out or because we have been convinced that the economy is beyond our control? Or is it [...]
Literature, Media & Entertainment
Hanna and Jane Eyre are Good for the Feminist Soul
The opening scenes of Hanna and Jane Eyre, both eponymous female-driven films currently in wide release, couldn’t be more different. Hanna, played by Saoirse Ronan, is calm and in control. She stalks a deer in a sun bathed and snow covered forest. Jane, played by Mia Wasikowska, is upset but driven as she flees the [...]
Current Events, Politics & Economy
The Great Recession: Catalyst for Psychological Growth
In light of last month’s tragedy in Japan, I addressed natural disasters in the first installment of this tw0 part article that searches for deeper meaning behind global catastrophe. Here, I continue to explore the positive side of tragedy by shedding light on our recent wake-up call now known to many as the Great Recession. Economics is the [...]
Culture & History
How the English Empire Accidentally Created the Wedding Industry
We can thank the British for many things: the colonization of much of the world, not passing on their dentistry or cooking skills, our accents, the postage stamp, Mr. Bean, the pay toilet and gravity, just to name a few. But one thing we have never given them credit for is creating the wedding industry. [...]
Current Events, Politics & Economy
Behind Annual Catastrophe: A Push to Elevate Values?
As our hearts ache watching the images of Japan’s Eastern Shores and our anger stirred by another nature-spawned catastrophe worsened by human imperfection, many of us pray for those affected by the tsunami and radiation fall-out in the Pacific. In this two part article, I will discuss global crises within a larger discussion about humanity’s need [...]
Community & Activist Toolkit
How to Tweet Your Way to a Larger Audience
Last week, we talked a little about how to give a great presentation. But what if you’re not giving a talk, but hosting one? Maybe you have donors coming to speak about why they support your work, or students wanting to learn about careers in philanthropy. Maybe you’re throwing a book launch party for your [...]
English
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