larrycham’s Recent Comments

• Click here to view comment in original post

  FOE endorsement

  I agree that Dennis Kucinich is the best candidate on the environment and many other issues.  I recall that in the Grist interview of the candidates, only Kucinich said that we would never have sound environmental policies until there is a change in consciousness. Other candidate mostly offered a predictable laundry list, though I thought Obama went beyond this just a little.  

  I assume that Friends of the Earth believes that to endorse Kucinich would be to throw away their influence, when they might be able to actually influence the who actually gets the nomination. It is a sad reality.  

  A pervasive change in consciousness is our best hope for developing a sustainable future. -- Thomas Berry

  On The environmental endorsements start rolling in posted 2 years ago 10 Responses

• Click here to view comment in original post

  No Child Left Inside

  To put the cost of this legislation in perspective, the $100 million is almost as much as the cost of one (1) Boeing F-15 Fighter.

  I have witnessed, in Maryland and Florida, how NCLB  and state accountability programs that preceded the federal law narrowed the curriculum and deprived children of environmental education, social studies, and the arts.  I know there are many people who are passionate about reconnecting children to the natural world and helping them maintain what Rachel Carson 50 years ago called their natural sense of wonder.  I will do what I can to support the NCLI bill and hope other Grist readers will too. On A chat about Congress' effort to restore environmental education funds posted 2 years, 1 month ago 1 Response

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Gloom & doom vs. fun

  Check out the Center for a New American Dream... newdream.org.  Their basic message of "more fun, less stuff" reminds us what we need to do.  At a personal level, I try to do all those little things we can do as individuals (mainly less energy used for transportation and housing) while being active in a local group that tries to educate the public through discussion courses developed by the Northwest Earth Institute. Our organization held a large public meeting right after the release of the IPCC Fourth Assessment reports, and at that meeting we laid out the facts in plain view but ended with lots of information on what we can do as individuals. Our local newspaper online forums have been sizzling ever since with a debate on global warming.  I feel that at least we initiated a conversation, and now we hope to push for action like the Sierra Club's Cool Cities campaign.  My point is that we who are part of the so-called 3 percent need to get out there and send our message in as many ways and forums as possible.  Yes, there needs to be a certain amount of gloom (realism) but that cannot be the overwhelming tone of the message.  We must also offer hope, and even fun.   And in the meantime, each of us must seek new ways of reducing our own carbon footprint.    

  A pervasive change in consciousness is our best hope for developing a sustainable future. -- Thomas Berry

  On Reality checking the polls posted 2 years, 5 months ago 43 Responses

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Bush sees the light? (or heat)

  When I hear Bush speak of the need to take action on global warming, I find myself torn between my deep, well-earned cynicism and my desire to move ahead on this problem. On the NewsHour last night, Mark Shields talked of the "curious" reaction of the environmental community to Bush's latest statement. I don't think the reaction is curious at all, but on the other hand I think Shields makes a good point: we should be happy that Bush acknowledges the problem; now the issue is what to do.  Since it is critical we act immediately, the Dems and environmentalists need to work with the administration for the next 18 months to put serious carbon caps in place.  

  A pervasive change in consciousness is our best hope for developing a sustainable future. -- Thomas Berry

  On More on Bush's climate strategy posted 2 years, 5 months ago 7 Responses

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Small & Big Stuff

  I agree with Shawn totally.  A year ago our local supermarket did not handle any organic food (believe it or not).  Now, they have organic fruits and veggies and cereal, etc.  The market is growing; the demand has made it profitable to carry organic produce.

  Similarly, with phosphorus-free dishwasher detergent.  Our local store now carries one brand with no phosphorus.  Now, since we live on a bayou, some of us here are very concerned about the quality of our water.  Our little bayou is often under a health alert just because of all the runoff from adjacent properties.  

  Over time, I have come to deal with a lot of little issues like detergent, lawn care products (minimize turf grass), etc.  I believe that a large number of people sweating the little stuff adds up to big stuff.  Of course, we shouldn't take our eye off the larger issues.  Ultimately, they all connect.  As Loren Eisley said, "One could not pluck a flower without troubling a star."
  

  A pervasive change in consciousness is our best hope for developing a sustainable future. -- Thomas Berry

  On Salon dishes out Grist-like advice posted 2 years, 8 months ago 14 Responses