Since there’s a good chance not all of you spend your week submerged in news about sustainability, environmental politics, grassroots efforts, etc., I thought I would share with you some of the interesting things I came across this week.
Before the Oil Comes – From Megan Jordan, author of Velveteen Mind, a different side of the BP Gulf oil spill. It’s a beautifully written piece that is well worth reading.
Locally Grown Won’t Cut It – Here’s a glimpse into the other side. It’s good to remember that there are organized entrenched interests at work here. In other words, people’s livelihoods are caught up in preserving the status quo. The changes we advocate are very threatening to a lot of people, and it would behoove us to remember that.
A fascinating “Sustainability Faceoff” between McDonald’s and Starbucks. The article itself acknowledges that, on the surface, this may seem like an unusual choice of businesses. But a sustainable future is not going to be based on companies like McDonald’s and Starbucks magically disappearing. It is going to require corporations across the board to move systematically towards the “mouth of the funnel” in ways that are commercially and economically feasible – LED lightbulbs, sustainable fishing programs, recyclable and compostable packaging, and supplier sustainability scorecards (or something similar).
From Gabon, here’s a example of how important it is to find creative ways for local communities to be engaged in conservation efforts.
And for you real food types, how to make your own butter in a mason jar!
Finally, Sustainability Education Provides a Reason to Hope. We need as many reasons to hope as we can find.
Happy Saturday, everyone!
Nice roundup Jess!
Thanks! I’m not usually the roundup type, but I thought I’d give it a shot
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