Climate Change and The Release of Pops

I just read an alarming story on the BBC website regarding the release of persistent organics pollutants (Pops); the article: "Melting Arctic releasing banned toxins , warn scientists." by Damian Carrington, 24 July 2011. (Note: original article: "Revolatilization of persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic induced by climate change." published in Nature Climate Change; 29 March 2011).

The article points out that as the planet's temperature rises and the Arctic melts, it's releasing toxic chemicals, banned under the 2004 Stockholm Convention, including: pesticides DDT, lindane, chlordane, PCBs and fungicide hexachlorobenzene (HCB). These Pops, which can cause cancer and birth defects, have been locked in the frozen ice and cold water are now being released due to global warming.

This situation reminds me of what is being played out in the Arctic tundra as the permafrost is melting and greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere. These consequences of climate change are surfacing more and more as the global temperature continues to rise. A very sobering account on the impact of climate change.

Renewables and Happiness!

Recently, I ran across a few very exciting solar (and wind) initiatives. It seems like the price point and financing options, such as solar service agreements whereby there is no up-front costs to the home owner), are making residential solar a no-brainer. Solar technology, including solar thermal, and lower production costs are creating a powerful leverage point to make solar affordable and thereby expanding its adoption. It's encouraging when the likes of Google are beginning to play in the "solar sandbox" in a big way and providing the necessary funding to dramatically increase its adoption. Check out: Google's new alliance with Solar City blog post (6/14/11 at 6:00 am): http://www.googlegreenblog.blogspot.com/

Google is also setting a new bar by providing electric vehicle charging stations in their headquarters parking lot (a new technology that charges cars wirelessly. Check out: Googles EV charging stations blog post (6/9/11 at 10:00 am): http://googlegreenblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/leading-charge-toward-electric-vehicle.html

On the wind front, the concept of community wind, whereby the land owners own the wind turbines, is being taken to new heights by Juhl Wind. Details at: http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/22552?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Enewsletter&utm_campaign=SustainableBusiness.com%20Update%3A%206%2F20%2F11

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On Happiness:

A new film is coming out called: HAPPY, from director Roko Beli.

It explores what makes us happy and looks at scientific studies that show certain traits of happy people.

For more info. and to see the movie trailer see: http://thehappymovie.com/wordpress/

Local Currencies: Localization Projects Taking Root

Community currencies seem to be on the upsurge as small towns and large cities recognize the value of supporting their local economies. There are numerous models including: BerkShares, Local Exchange Trading Systems (LETS), and hours currency.

In Fairfax, California, Sustainable Fairfax, a non-profit, the local Chamber of Commerce and the Fairfax Town Council have gotten together to create a local currency, called Fairbuck. The Fairbuck token has a symbol of a buck on one side (part of the Seal of Fairfax) and a snail on the other (recognition of Fairfax becoming the second CittaSlow certified community in the country). It also has the inscription: "In community we trust." The FairBuck token has a $3 value and is accepted for goods and services by merchants in the Fairfax, California area. Due to launch next month, the Fairbuck is a great example of supporting the local economy by keeping the circulation of the coins locally.

Local currencies are spreading as more communities see the value of supporting their local economies. Some of the more well-known local currencies in the U.S. include: the BerkShares, in the Berkshire county of western Massachusetts, the Ithaca Hours in Ithaca, New York and the Plenty in North Carolina. In Europe, micro currencies are taking off in Germany and the concept perhaps will spread to Asia and Latin America.

For additional resources about local currencies, see:

E. F. Schumacher Society: Local Currencies

Local Currency Council

Lester Brown on Climate Change

Recently, I saw a concise and clear (and sobering) video of Lester Brown from the Earth Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. analyzing of the impacts of climate change as it relates to food production, water availability and other world trends. Brown highlights the impact of reduced food production as the focal point of climate change as part of what he covers in his latest book, World on the Edge.

Most interesting is the fragility of the world's food system; the impact of higher temperatures and reduced food yields, the effect of soil erosion; the impact of water scarcity, etc... All these trends are impacted by a very short window of time that we have to take action. World on the Edge offers pathways towards solutions to these global challenges we face as a global community.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DXVgTD2F6ZQ

Three New Documentary Films Envisioning a Better World

Three new sustainability-related documentary films that have been recently released may be of interest:

1) "Harmony: A New Way of Looking At Our World." This film narrated by Prince Charles does a good job of presenting some of the ideas of how best to live in balance with the natural systems. It touches on themes ranging from sustainable farming to biomimicry.

2) "I Am: The Shift is About to Hit The Fan." This documentary film released through limited theaters traces the transformation of Tom Shadyak, a movie director who travels the world asking the questions: "What's wrong with our world?" and 'What can we do about it?" This creates an interesting dialog from leaders including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, John Francis, David Suzuki, Lynne McTaggart and many others.

3) "The Economics of Happiness." This film by Helena Norberg-Hodge, Steven Gorelick and John Page tackles the problems with our current economic system and presents the benefits of economic localization. It includes the perspectives of many of the leaders in the sustainability movement including: Bill McKibben, Vandana Shiva, David Korten, Richard Heinberg, Rob Hopkins and many more.

All three films point to solutions that are already happening and making positive change and creating a better world. They also focus on ideas that are spearheading a transformation at the economic, social and environmental level.

Brene Brown: the power of vulnerability

Recently, a colleague forwarded me a talk at the TED conference by Brene Brown, a social researcher. The talk, entitled, "The power of vulnerability," explores some simple yet profound topics that are directly related to our authenticity and well-being.

As we grapple with the complexity of sustainability issues, perhaps looking at these basic human characteristics will go a long way to working effectively together and allow our best selves to shine through.

Sustainable Communities: The Oberlin Project

One of the more intriguing sustainability initiatives currently taking place is the Oberlin Project spearheaded by David Orr from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. The College owns a 13 acre plot in downtown Oberlin which they plan to develop and make a LEED platinum neighborhood. Working with the Clinton Global Initiative and the US Green Building Council, this initiative brings together a partnership with expertise in changing neighborhoods and improving peoples lives.

In their effort to revitalize about a dozen buildings in the next several years, this effort may prove to be a viable example of collaborations between colleges and their local communities. Rather than remaining as educational islands, by engaging with their communities colleges have an opportunity to implement their vision of sustainable practices into their local towns. In effect, expanding their ideas into projects that improve the lives of local residents while enhancing their educational mission. Replicating these types of projects may prove essential as we reinvent the meaning of creating sustainable and thriveable communities.