Thursday, December 4, 2008

Blackle search engine

In Hot, Flat and Crowded, Friedman denigrates energy saving by comparing the small changes that people make in their everyday lives as an energy party, instead of an energy revolution. Considering the multiplying effect of billions of people making small daily changes, I disagree. The Green Guide suggests taking a minute to set your computer to a search engine created by Google that is called Blackle. The idea is that the black background reduces the amount of energy usage of your computer.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Willard Daggett in Middletown

Dr. Willard Daggett's presentation at our November in-service urged teachers to recognize the challenges of education in the 21st century. We were persuaded to emphasize rigor, relevance and relationships in our schools. As a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, I agree wholeheartedly. Perennial, practical problems have guided the FCS curriculum for generations. Wise use of resources requires critical thinking skills. We must continue to advocate for Family and Consumer Sciences education for ALL students. We need the support of our administrations and communities to continue to teach students the skills needed to raise happy and healthy children, to build and maintain successful relationships with spouses and co-workers, to manage household finances, and to promote an acceptable quality of life for all people. The challenges of the present economic and environmental crisis can only be met if students are equipped with the reasoning ability to face difficult choices in their lives.

Hot, Flat and Crowded

Having just finished reading Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman, I'm looking forward to sharing some sections with my students. In particular, chapter 8 summarizes the interconnectedness of the planet's energy system and the global economy in a less fatalistic style than most of the book. My favorite quote is "Emulation is always more effective than compulsion." I agree with Friedman's proposition that Americans must harness every creative impulse to tackle the tremendous challenges that confront us in the 21st century. Although the political environment must support the endeavors of the innovators, the bottom line is the collective groundswell of consumer demand. Two summers ago, I was discussing climate change with a friend from England, who seemed to think that people around the world were eager to work together to confront the global warming challenge. I reluctantly told her that most of the Americans I know were not concerned at all about the ramifications of rampant energy usage. For a brief moment this summer, I thought I was mistaken because "green" seemed to be the watchword of 2008. As gas prices at the pump have dropped, we hear less and less about energy management. I'm hoping that we do the right thing even without the impetus of high prices. It's time to enlist the tremendous enthusiasm of our young people in solving this most basic resource problem.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Evolution of Nurturers Part 1

Thinking about the disparity of income throughout history, I speculate that evolution has created two basic and distinct temperaments in humans. The difference in perspectives of people with these personalities has allowed the gap in living standards to widen in the global economy. Nurturers, by their very nature, often are unable to stand up for their rights for a living wage and decent working conditions. Being able to care for the sick, vulnerable, or dependent requires letting go of a certain urge to promote self-interest. Other people can be blind to the distress of the vulnerable in cyclical poverty, blaming the condition of the destitute on their inability to fight for a better wage, even though that aggressive spirit is by definition switched off in their genetic code. Maybe some people believe that because nurturers love their jobs, which is an unequivocal requirement for an effective nurturer, adequate financial compensation is not necessary. Why should they be paid more, if they are willing to work for less because they love the job? Why don't they just leave and take another job? This attitude can only be held if there is an inability to see the emotional connection between the nurturer and the dependent person, animal, plant or thing. Are we genetically unable to see the daily suffering of our nurturers, or can we see it and refuse to take action because we don't understand why they can't stand up for themselves?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Earth Alchemists

This month's issue of Central PA magazine, a published by WITF in Harrisburg, features a house in Perry County that was designed by Jeff Dardozzi of the Earth Alchemists. The article explains the architect's philosophy of sustainable architecture. Mr. Dardozzi and the interior designer from his firm plan to visit my Interior Design class to discuss this more earth-friendly method of building. I'm tremendously excited to hear about this Central Pennsylvanian's commitment to the environment.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Fair Trade

This week, I visited Ten Thousand Villages in Mechanicsburg, PA. I've purchased gifts at this store before, but recently I've been buying clothes that are labeled Fair Trade. This time I bought a book about Fair Trade. Check out this store off Route 15 near Mechanicsburg if you need to find gifts, coffee, music, or books that are produced and distributed by socially responsible organizations.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Clean Tech Meets Equitable Wealth Distribution

Clean tech. Empowered women entrepreneurs. Free and limitless distribution of photos, video and music. Aishwarya lanterns. 2008 is the year for energy and opportunity. I've heard the word "sustainability" more in the last six months than in the last 30 years. I recommend the book Clean Tech Revolution by Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder, for a concise and user-friendly account of the economic advantages of clean tech. Specifically note Pernick and Wilder's marketing advice for clean technology initiatives. Muhammad Yunus' Grameen Bank and Jeffrey Sachs' Earth Institute are leading the drive to end poverty using clean technology.