Blogs
The Future is Local
Posted June 17th, 2008 by George Zens
Dear Reader,
Could our present economic slowdown be a good thing? A blessing in disguise?
I think it is. For the past dozen or more years we (and I’m simplifying now, because I know that what I’m about to write does not apply to everyone) have lived like there’s no tomorrow, we’ve borrowed money like we’d never have to pay it back and we’ve spent it like drunken sailors, worshipping at big box stores, driving cars that get worse gas mileage than a Sherman tank, and building MacMansions with an ecological footprint the size of a small country.
Missed Opportunities
Posted May 27th, 2008 by George Zens
Dear Reader,
The ethanol debate is not going away.
Politicians use the fuel issue to buy votes by pumping billions of dollars in taxpayer-financed subsidies into growing corn to make the stuff.
Farmers and related businesses love it because they make a decent living again.
Most damagingly of all, though, most people like ethanol because it gives them the illusion that we have found a solution to problems that go much deeper: agriculture, food, greenhouse gases and transportation.
Is Ethanol Worse Than Gasoline?
Posted March 12th, 2008 by George Zens
How to make our bus system work
Posted February 1st, 2008 by George Zens
Dear Reader,
In last month's letter I complained about, among other things, the Madison bus service ("it pretty much sucks" is what I wrote).
Not everybody thinks so, as the two letters to the editor attached below show.
The letters also made me realize that I have to qualify my criticism and that I would like to make it more constructive.
Letter from the Editor: Sustainable Rantings
Posted January 21st, 2008 by George Zens
Dear Reader,
There are many reasons why we should adopt a more sustainable lifestyle: out of compassion for our fellow-human beings; to help create a better world for our children and children's children (which is probably about how long it will take); to have a healthier life; to live in a more solid community; to save money; to improve our quality of life; out of self-preservation; because we haven't got anything else to do; ...
