Sloooow Food, San Francisco
Aug/28/2008 04:15 PM Filed in: News and
Current Events
As a
"foodie," I take interest in most forms of
cuisine...although I'll let Tony Bourdain and Andrew
Zimmern do their thing. It's safe to say that I prefer
more sanitary fare...
One such passion of mine, is "Slow Food."
Anyhow, if you're in the area, or feel like making an energy neutral trip to San Francisco, Treehugger points out that,
"This weekend, the slow food gospel will wind its way through San Francisco’s streets mixing two city favorites, social justice and local eats. An event expected to draw 50,000 people, Slow Food Nation will speak to more than just those seeking a taste of great local cheese or a nugget of mind blowing chocolate. The Slow Food movement is about connecting us to our plates. It asks us to think about where our food is grown, who picks it, what resources it uses and what food system structures it is subject to."
One such passion of mine, is "Slow Food."
Anyhow, if you're in the area, or feel like making an energy neutral trip to San Francisco, Treehugger points out that,
"This weekend, the slow food gospel will wind its way through San Francisco’s streets mixing two city favorites, social justice and local eats. An event expected to draw 50,000 people, Slow Food Nation will speak to more than just those seeking a taste of great local cheese or a nugget of mind blowing chocolate. The Slow Food movement is about connecting us to our plates. It asks us to think about where our food is grown, who picks it, what resources it uses and what food system structures it is subject to."
Who exactly is AN expert in Sustainability?
Aug/28/2008 02:03 PM Filed in: Commentary
More and more these days, I've been discussing what
sustainability involves, and what it is as a
discipline.
The inevitable question then arises... Who is an expert in this field? Who has the knowledge and the leadership skills to take charge of our newest revolution?
In Europe, the role is fairly well defined. And, you can find numerous adverts and recruiting shops for positions clearly listing their goals.
Here in the US, not so much. In fact, I've recently become acquainted with well-placed individuals, reviewed various biographies, and investigated a number of people who are working in the sustainability movement.
Much to my surprise, and that of my friends overseas, many of these "experts" have shockingly varied and seemingly disparate backgrounds.
So, I have to question how they got where they are.
On a recent trip to a town in my home-state, I met a man claiming to be a "prophet" of sustainability. I had to contain myself from gagging!
Who is this guy? What was his background? What does he know?
He was, from what I can gather, some kind of home builder in his previous life. Now, he's a self-styled empresario...and a prophet...to boot! Wouldn't you know it, he predicted it, the people bought it, and the town's gone green?!?
Admittedly, sustainability is a fairly vague and broad term. Even for me, the term has evolved and taken on new meaning. But, should we not be able, at some point, to identify the W's of what sustainability involves and the talent to lead it?
**Sidenote: now that I'm writing this up, wasn't there a musical about a guy who came to town to sell something? For the younger crowd, I offer The Monorail Song of The Simpsons fame.**
At any rate, delivering sustainability means that we must:
-Achieve profit
-Establish longevity (on many fronts)
-Promote financial, economic, and leadership stability
-Shape direction and trajectory of trends
-Provide a forward-looking vision with specific concern for the preservation of resources along with environmental and social sensitivity.
So, shouldn't we be elevating those who have this knowledge, instead of buying into the schemes of soothsayers and promoting cracker-jack buyers?
I for one, and my former boss, have law degrees with electives in environmental law, property/land use, and trade. My undergraduate degree is in Political Science and International Studies. I also lived abroad for a year while taking courses on sociology, political history, and methodology.
All the while I've been building upon a lifelong passion for what is now being defined as sustainability. AND, I continually educate myself on the subjects of sustainability, environmental health and safety, politics, international trade, social responsibility, and corporate ethics, marketing, and public relations.
As far as experience goes, I was previously employed as an executive at a sustainable startup, served on the board of directors, and am now trying to make it on my own.
Over the course of it all, I've written articles, drafted numerous papers, given talks, attended conferences, and met various leaders in sustainability and politics.
I even started writing a novel a few years ago to serve as a siren's call (that I intend to finish some Summer.)
I freely admit my limitations. No, I'm not an architect, or an engineer, or a logistics expert. But, I'm smart enough to consult those who are. And, it's safe to say that I am an expert on the topics about which I speak...at least more so than 95% of the people I've recently met in this field. :)
The inevitable question then arises... Who is an expert in this field? Who has the knowledge and the leadership skills to take charge of our newest revolution?
In Europe, the role is fairly well defined. And, you can find numerous adverts and recruiting shops for positions clearly listing their goals.
Here in the US, not so much. In fact, I've recently become acquainted with well-placed individuals, reviewed various biographies, and investigated a number of people who are working in the sustainability movement.
Much to my surprise, and that of my friends overseas, many of these "experts" have shockingly varied and seemingly disparate backgrounds.
So, I have to question how they got where they are.
On a recent trip to a town in my home-state, I met a man claiming to be a "prophet" of sustainability. I had to contain myself from gagging!
Who is this guy? What was his background? What does he know?
He was, from what I can gather, some kind of home builder in his previous life. Now, he's a self-styled empresario...and a prophet...to boot! Wouldn't you know it, he predicted it, the people bought it, and the town's gone green?!?
Admittedly, sustainability is a fairly vague and broad term. Even for me, the term has evolved and taken on new meaning. But, should we not be able, at some point, to identify the W's of what sustainability involves and the talent to lead it?
**Sidenote: now that I'm writing this up, wasn't there a musical about a guy who came to town to sell something? For the younger crowd, I offer The Monorail Song of The Simpsons fame.**
At any rate, delivering sustainability means that we must:
-Achieve profit
-Establish longevity (on many fronts)
-Promote financial, economic, and leadership stability
-Shape direction and trajectory of trends
-Provide a forward-looking vision with specific concern for the preservation of resources along with environmental and social sensitivity.
So, shouldn't we be elevating those who have this knowledge, instead of buying into the schemes of soothsayers and promoting cracker-jack buyers?
I for one, and my former boss, have law degrees with electives in environmental law, property/land use, and trade. My undergraduate degree is in Political Science and International Studies. I also lived abroad for a year while taking courses on sociology, political history, and methodology.
All the while I've been building upon a lifelong passion for what is now being defined as sustainability. AND, I continually educate myself on the subjects of sustainability, environmental health and safety, politics, international trade, social responsibility, and corporate ethics, marketing, and public relations.
As far as experience goes, I was previously employed as an executive at a sustainable startup, served on the board of directors, and am now trying to make it on my own.
Over the course of it all, I've written articles, drafted numerous papers, given talks, attended conferences, and met various leaders in sustainability and politics.
I even started writing a novel a few years ago to serve as a siren's call (that I intend to finish some Summer.)
I freely admit my limitations. No, I'm not an architect, or an engineer, or a logistics expert. But, I'm smart enough to consult those who are. And, it's safe to say that I am an expert on the topics about which I speak...at least more so than 95% of the people I've recently met in this field. :)
Climate Change is NOT Sexy!
Aug/27/2008 03:55 PM Filed in: Commentary
Is
global warming really the best reason to reduce, reuse,
and recycle? No, I don't think so.
In today's economic and political climate, the work and the message of sustainability's champions should be aimed at:
1) Saving money
2) Securing energy
3) Addressing the need for conservation
4) Providing "green collar" jobs
This package of thoughts is a much more realistic approach that should apply, at least in part, with everyone.
Global warming and climate change are too heady to get more than niche markets involved...it's too scientific...too debatable...too inflamatory. They're also not sexy terms, and the impact that global warming (may or may not) have on the future is obviously not in the here and now.
However, saving money, and securing energy to continue the domestic production of goods and services, as well as provide income for my family....NOW those are things to rally around.
In today's economic and political climate, the work and the message of sustainability's champions should be aimed at:
1) Saving money
2) Securing energy
3) Addressing the need for conservation
4) Providing "green collar" jobs
This package of thoughts is a much more realistic approach that should apply, at least in part, with everyone.
Global warming and climate change are too heady to get more than niche markets involved...it's too scientific...too debatable...too inflamatory. They're also not sexy terms, and the impact that global warming (may or may not) have on the future is obviously not in the here and now.
However, saving money, and securing energy to continue the domestic production of goods and services, as well as provide income for my family....NOW those are things to rally around.
The Economist: Don't Blame Speculation
Aug/27/2008 03:53 PM Filed in: News and
Current Events
The
Economist reports here that
speculation should not suffer the blame of
commodities price increases.
My comment:
From everything that I've read, and know, I have to disagree with their conclusion. But, as I've said, we must talk about these things and work toward solutions...we can't just dismiss and do nothing.
My comment:
From everything that I've read, and know, I have to disagree with their conclusion. But, as I've said, we must talk about these things and work toward solutions...we can't just dismiss and do nothing.
Drive 55
Jul/05/2008 03:16 PM Filed in: Commentary
I was out driving
yesterday for the holiday, and I noticed something that
I don't normally witness on the roads. They were fairly
empty around my home, and people were driving slower.
So, now I'm wondering: could slower driving be part of the answer? Perhaps it's time for all of us to ease off the pedal.
The EPA notes that "[a]ggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money."
While I don't agree with arbitrary laws, mandating a slower speed limit (if the science proves accurate) would be in the nation's best interest. And, interestingly enough, some big groups are behind the idea of driving slower. In fact, the American Trucking Association has proposed on their site, http://www.trucksdeliver.org/ an initiative that, in addition to lowering truck traffic to 65mph, will save 2.8 billion gallons of diesel fuel within 10 years. Their broader sustainability plan claims to save 86 billion gallons of fuel over the same time. It includes things like truck only corridors, congestion reduction.
Even Senator John Warner, R-Va., has asked the Energy Secretary, Samuel Bodman, to investigate what speed limit would provide optimum efficiency given current technology.
For more info see www.drive55.org
This is certainly encouraging. Could it help?
So, now I'm wondering: could slower driving be part of the answer? Perhaps it's time for all of us to ease off the pedal.
The EPA notes that "[a]ggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money."
While I don't agree with arbitrary laws, mandating a slower speed limit (if the science proves accurate) would be in the nation's best interest. And, interestingly enough, some big groups are behind the idea of driving slower. In fact, the American Trucking Association has proposed on their site, http://www.trucksdeliver.org/ an initiative that, in addition to lowering truck traffic to 65mph, will save 2.8 billion gallons of diesel fuel within 10 years. Their broader sustainability plan claims to save 86 billion gallons of fuel over the same time. It includes things like truck only corridors, congestion reduction.
Even Senator John Warner, R-Va., has asked the Energy Secretary, Samuel Bodman, to investigate what speed limit would provide optimum efficiency given current technology.
For more info see www.drive55.org
This is certainly encouraging. Could it help?