The Problem with Plastic

Many aspects of our lives are dependent on the use of plastic. Most of the food we purchase is wrapped in plastic. And our leftovers are often stored in plastic bags and containers. The cords we plug into the wall, and the things that attach to those cords are frequently plastic or made primarily ofContinue reading “The Problem with Plastic”

Eat More Plants

We make many decisions in our lives each day that impact our carbon footprints. Surprisingly, one of the most significant decisions to affect climate change is the food on our plates.  The food on our plates you say? Yes, and here’s why: The raising of livestock for meat, eggs and milk generates 15-20% of globalContinue reading “Eat More Plants”

Recycle

As I mentioned in prior posts, my approach to consumption of resources can be summed up with these five words: reduce, reuse, renew, reconsider, and recycle. In prior columns, I discussed reduce, reuse, renew, and rethink. It’s time now to talk about recycle. It’s not an accident that I put recycle last on my listContinue reading “Recycle”

Rethink

As I mentioned in prior columns, my approach to consumption of resources can be summed up with these five words: reduce, reuse, renew, rethink, and recycle. In prior columns, I discussed reduce and reuse. This time, I’d like to introduce rethink. Reconsider could also have been “reconsider” or “re-assess”. The idea is to reconsider yourContinue reading “Rethink”

Renew

As I mentioned last time, my approach to consumption of resources can be summed up with these five words: reduce, reuse, renew, rethink, and recycle. In prior columns, I discussed reduce and reuse. This time, I’d like to talk about renew. When I think about renew, I think about the use of renewable resources. WeContinue reading “Renew”

Reduce

It is up to each of us to change our lifestyles, and reduce both production and consumption. Will it be a challenge? Absolutely, but don’t we want to preserve this beautiful planet for our children and grandchildren? My approach to resource consumption can be summed up with these five words: reduce, reuse, renew, rethink, andContinue reading “Reduce”

Why Drawdown?

In a prior post, I introduced Project Drawdown and the Drawdown book, edited by Paul Hawken. Drawdown represents a carefully researched and curated list of the top 100 “climate solutions that had the greatest potential to reduce emissions or sequester carbon from the atmosphere.” Many feel that in order to avert climate disaster, the bigContinue reading “Why Drawdown?”

Project Drawdown

Many people and many organizations are working in the climate change space. At St John the Evangelist catholic church in Seattle, my wife, Suzanna, and I formed the Saint Francis of Assisi ministry about a year ago to create a group to discuss, educate, and act on this crisis. We have also reached out and,Continue reading “Project Drawdown”

The Post-Throwaway Culture

Pope Francis talks about a “throwaway culture” in his encyclical on climate change, Laudato Si: These problems are closely linked to a throwaway culture which affects the excluded just as it quickly reduces things to rubbish…We have not yet managed to adopt a circular model of production capable of preserving resources for present and futureContinue reading “The Post-Throwaway Culture”