katmainomad’s Recent Comments

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  Absolutely, the general wisdom is that 20% of people or less will choose to make these changes (whether you call them lifestyle or not), so things will have to be mandated or heavily incentivized, or the way things work will have to change to get 100% on board. I do find a problem with people who agree these things should be done but complain that it is impossible in their lives. It is not impossible to do these things on a budget, or change jobs, or move somewhere more conducive, etc. Plenty of people have made these choices. Admit this is not a choice you want to make right now, but admit it is a choice. It is a choice to have air conditioning and central heating, it is a choice to live in single family housing, it is a choice to live far from work, it is a choice to own a refrigerator. But before I alienate anyone further - no commenter seems to argue with the efficacy of the options, just the feasibility. It comes down to will...and we just don't seem to have that. Sigh.On Simple lifestyle tweaks key in climate change fight posted 2 weeks ago 47 Responses

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  I don't think these changes are so out of reach. Most efficient appliances aren't very much more expensive than the non-efficient version and pay for themselves. Most of the changes (turning down the heat, hanging laundry) save money with no upfront cost. If you can't afford a more fuel efficient vehicle (used civic or justy or escort - I have bought them all for under $3000, each gets 35 mpg+) ride a bike (my current only vehicle). However, I'm under the influence of Jensen these days, so I'm leaning to the 'civilization just has to go' side of things...On Simple lifestyle tweaks key in climate change fight posted 2 weeks ago 47 Responses

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  It is an interesting question. In my local sierra club group, I notice a rough split of people. there are (very simplistically), those whose lives revolve around biking and farmers markets and urban permaculture gardens and simple living, and who adamantly want to lower greenhouse gas emissions, fix the climate, and reduce overall resource use. Then there are those who want to hike in a pristine local park, even if they drove their SUV there, and work tirelessly to protect local area X from ATVs, mines or whatever. Yah, it's not so cut and dry, and you can guess which group I am in by my crass characterization. While ecosystems as a whole, and many versions of 'the land' are important to me, it is much more about justice - enough for all species and groups and a livable world, than about a few protected places. I want to protect the earth, not the land. The word 'land' seems too limited. But maybe it rhymes better in the song? I'll go listen...On Does anyone still care about "the land"? posted 1 month, 1 week ago 25 Responses

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  I, for one, am with you. I send my kid (age 6) to a waldorf-inspired public school that would rather we kept our kids from any screen time. Most of us parents cave and open up at least non-school nights to some appropriate movies or internet. With an only child, self-entertainment is a magic thing, and luckily my kid finally likes to play by himself with objects he pretendsd are space ships or swords for long hours. I also nab any playmate I can to come help him in this activity. I agree that games, internet or otherwise, are not inherently damaging to most normal adults or near adults. I think they can have adverse effects on the development of a young child. The debate will continue, but screens are inherently different from paper books, and both may need to take a backseat to social and environmental play to raise a healthy child. I was a bookworm, but my parents made me and/or took me outside to play a fair amount, and the combination of the two is wonderful.

  On The fight to save childhood posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago 8 Responses

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  I've emailed you - thanks so much in advance for ideas on outreach. I should mention that apparently one of the neighbors has been commiserating with my tenants on how hard it must be to live with all the noise and piles of dirt at my in-process renovating eco-plex. So not so supportive neighbor...but i think the tenants are still on my side?

  On Blood, sweat, and vision: The JP Green House in its ugly duckling phase posted 2 months ago 3 Responses