Paper use on a global scale is enormous.

We have no one to blame but ourselves as many daily transactions still require paperwork despite technological advances towards a paperless society.

In an effort to preserve forests and the environment, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) have unveiled a promising and cutting edge “rewritable electronic paper”.

The interesting part about this e-paper is that it can retain information written upon it without using electricity and it is designed to replace paper products that only have a limited lifespan such as tickets or daily office papers, thus saving on waste and energy.

This phenomenal project is named ‘i2R e-paper’ and is considered to be a breakthrough in the digital industry.

The flexible liquid crystal panel displays 300 dpi resolution text and images, and these are transferred using heat, just as a traditional fax machine would have produced images or text. The i2R e-paper uses ambient light rather than backlighting as found in most LCD screens.

“I think the greatest breakthrough was that traditional display devices usually require electricity to write, but our technology made it closer to how we would use normal paper. First, it does not require patterned electrodes — it is very light, soft and rewritable. From this perspective, this is a true e-paper. In many cases, such as transportation tickets or ID badges, it will save your from printing the same thing 259 times. In terms of environmental production, this is very meaningful” - said Dr Janglin Chen, general director of ITRI’s Display Technology Centre.

The e-paper can be annoted with water solvent marker pens, similar to a white board, and then washed off after use. When you want to erase the existing content the e-paper is run through a thermal printer erasing the markings that were there. ITRI estimates that the e-paper is re-writtable up to 260 times prior to being replaced. At obsolesence all the materials within the device are recyclable.

The researchers behind the iR2 e-paper envision it to be an ideal replacement for advertising signs, posters, parking tickets or transportation passes that are manufactured every day.

Source 

For years, people have talked about “Subverting the Dominant Paradigm”.

For years, it seems people have instinctively understood these words and what the alternative paradigm looked like.

Like “sustainability” talk, it was a trendy expression that steadily gained traction within the non-mainstream quarters of the “developed” world.

Great – except that nobody could really agree on what it was, let alone how to get to the other side. Subvert the dominant paradigm?  What on earth does this mean?

We can hazard a guess that the dominant paradigm pre-dates the Industrial Revolution. Chances are a “genius” called Descartes had something to do with it. He espoused “I think therefore I am” – a phrase associated with experiments on animals that ultimately asserted human superiority over other life-forms.

Alongside Judeo-Christian traditions that claimed human “dominion” over the Earth, Cartesian logic emphasized humans as the dominant species.  Based on this thinking, we had the “natural right” to access nonhuman “resources” which existed for our use and pleasure.

Human ingenuity flexed its muscles through the Industrial (and later Technological) revolution.  Our ability to build infrastructure and produce goods en-masse consequently led to the belief that growth equated with progress. Infinite resources were valuable as instruments for human benefit and little else.

For years, the dominant paradigm has lived up to its name. What makes it dominant is the extent to which it’s entrenched in our psyches and institutions, embedded in the ways we use and value and manage our natural resources. This begs the question: What is the alternative to a system so firmly entrenched in everything we do? If the option to the human-dominant paradigm is one in which both human and other life-forms are a vital concern, what might this look like?

Over the past fifty or so years, various “alternatives” have been postulated. From “Existential Dualism” to “Neo-Malthusianism”, from the “New Ecological Paradigm” to “Eco-Marxism” – there’s no shortage of philosophies with hard to remember names. Not an easy marketing task, that’s for sure. When the essence of each, however, is fused together, we find an option we might loosely call the “Environmental Paradigm”.

Rather than seeing humans as separate from nature, the Environmental Paradigm views humans as an interdependent part of nature. We are one among many species and recognise the intrinsic value of all life. As such, all entities that act with purpose (whether instinctive or otherwise) have rights. And whilst growth is valued, it is not a means unto itself, but operates within the context of sustainability and conservation. We recognise and value “diversity, complexity, integrity, harmony and stability” (Corbett 2006). Whilst humans are encouraged to grow and develop as individuals, our behaviour contributes to the collective (or community) good. From a political perspective, the Environmental Paradigm is less conservative than the dominant paradigm that currently operates throughout the “developed” world.

Of course, the successful subversion of the dominant paradigm toward an environmental one requires massive social change. This is where we all come in. Speaking the words “subvert the dominant paradigm” is just the beginning. We also need to comprehend and actively pursue agreed pathways to agreed goals.

One step at a time.

One change at a time.

With urgency and commitment.

And a better understanding as to what on Earth it all means!

Nothing can replace the smell and feel of an old fashioned book.

However, embracing the digital page has its benefits, especially for tech-savvy children.

While it is important that they know how to navigate an index or read a table of contents and locate a real page, an enormous amount of knowledge can be gained via online media.

In a world where disposable is more often the norm, it’s reassuring to know that the advantage of acquiring knowledge, whether it be on page or on screen, is something that can’t be thrown away.

Children who read are introduced to other cultures, exposed to new vocabulary and can delve deeper into the world of environmental sciences for a better appreciation of all things natural.

If you have any readers in your home, introduce them to quality links like the ones below for hours of reading and related entertainment. Tons of free resources, including various genres, activities, audiobooks, author details and cultural information for a wide audience range is available at The Children’s Book Review. Check their featured categories, including science and ecology, for books, activities and other reading materials on scientific and environmentally friendly themes.

It is also great to offer related activities based around reading preferences to enhance comprehension. If your reader is into exploration, check out this free science video compilation for a huge index of videos revolving around the world of science. Though the site is geared toward kids, adults may find themselves navigating to learn more, too.

Look at the Pioneer Woman Homeschooling tutorial for instructions on how to make a homemade book out of recycled materials. Kids can write, illustrate and tote around their own portable written collection or give them out as special gifts.

In addition to providing resources, also stress the importance of keeping books in good condition to children. The art of literature and book making should be appreciated, even in a world of endless media sources. While you want to keep classics, favorites and provide as many articles for printed words as children can take in, consider donating appropriate books, magazines and other reading materials that are lying around and won’t likely won’t be read again.

Libraries, schools, shelters and local book stores usually welcome used books in good condition. Think about working with an organization in need to have a book sale if you know a lot of people who would like to find a new home for books. Also, people with children often favor to receive books instead of another plastic toy or stuffed animal.

By setting surplus books free to travel, children will learn about reusing as well as the joy in passing on an item so it can be cherished by someone else.

Encouraging reading and helping build a literary repertoire are non-disposable gifts that will last a lifetime.

Hatched in 1990, the idea of the Bioneers, a word that was introduced by Kenny Ausubel, began to spring into action.

Bioneers as defined, seek to uphold biological and cultural diversity, and take a more natural approach to the scientific and medicinal fields.

Also biomimicry, or going back to nature as the model for problem solving, is the school of thought. Bioneers include a group of earth aware, educated individuals demanding change and examining new and justifiable ways of arriving at solutions.

Initially, Bioneer efforts were interested in native cultural and bio-diversification, sustainable farming and conservation. Bioremediation, or naturally dealing with pollution through the use of living systems, was also a focus. Still active today, this over 20 year old group is continually growing. National as well as community conferences are held to inform and inspire, focusing on pivotal issues that are important in communal areas as well as on the global scene.

Starting over two decades ago, issues have evolved, but there is still a deep-rooted interest in facing environmental concerns head-on. Things like climate change and global warming are key topics. Other educational, scientific and medical matters are also at the forefront of the Bioneer pressing gauge.

Ecology research has warned of destructive shifts in the earth. Unnatural changes to the atmosphere and the planet has caused, and continues to cause, perilous effects like threats to biodiversity. For instance, 30-50% of the earth’s natural biology and cultural diversity has been devastated (Ausubel, K).

Bioneers hold special interest in not just putting a patch on this fact, but to find innovative ways of doing things, like living and working in sync with nature instead of repeating destructive patterns. Other current topic agendas include equality, defending the Amazon, community construction and sustainable food and farming methods.

Bioneer programs are currently in motion, such as indigenous directives like Dreaming New Mexico. This is a leading cooperative initiative that takes a holistic approach to fixing prevalent environmental and social concerns, starting at the source.

Education for Action is also a concerted effort that promotes teaching sustainable ways of living. The Indigeneity Program consists of Bioneers who recognize the importance of protecting traditional ecological knowledge, or holding on to the immense education that native peoples have to offer. These are just a few of the actions that have been organized.

Bioneer platforms contain a progressive assembly of people committed to others as well as the environment, and understand that we need to live in accordance with earth’s natural balance instead of offsetting it. It is refreshing to know there are great minds, and great deeds, at work that make a real difference.

Image Source: Google Images

The observance of Earth Day began in the U.S. in 1970 as a way for individuals to gather in response to the growing interest in a national environmental movement.

Escalating concerns for ecological awareness in both the personal and political arenas were amplified by many during this time.

A bit of history from The Old Farmer’s Almanac recounted that proactive John McConnell from California and Gaylord Nelson, then Senator of Wisconsin, both opened the gates for exchange in their local areas. They initiated people to gather together in order to demonstrate their unity over environmental issues.

The spring equinox on March 21 and April 22, 1970 both became key dates and now still represent the millions that came together on that initial Earth Day.

Currently, over 1 billion people from nearly 192 countries take part in Earth Day activities which, according to Earthday.org, makes it the world’s largest public display.

Commonly focused on in many places on April 22, this customarily is a day for earth friendly events like volunteering to pick up litter, planting tree parties and recycling exhibits.

Earth Day Network was created by the first Earth Day’s original team of planners and is now preparing for its 43^rd environmental focused event. Their theme this year is the Face of Climate Change on a global scale. Earthday.org is collecting photos from around the world centering on climate change and will digitally showcase them in honor of the reverential day on their site. The images will be shown online as well as at thousands of Earth Day happenings.

For kids and emerging readers, Scholastic has organized a few snapshots of Earth Day celebrations around the world. With a focus on reading and including audio and word pronunciations, children can listen and learn how others participate in environmentally focused events.

While Earth Day is only one mark on the calendar, the grand demonstrations of past events and scheduled future endeavors are a reminder that each day adds up. Though individual efforts may at first seem small, when amplified by many the green movement continues to cultivate.

Image: Scholastic: © Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Image

Can cheese be made sustainably?

A recent Environmental Working Group and CleanMetrics study found that that cheese is among the top three worst protein sources in terms of negative environmental impacts (lamb was first, beef second).

One of the biggest problems associated with food production is that farming, processing, packaging, and transporting food products generates greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to global warming.

In the case of cheese, the majority of GHG emissions occur during milk production. Dairy farmers can reduce GHG emissions by making cheese from cow’s or goat’s milk rather than sheep’s milk (sheep produce more methane per milk unit).

They can do this by changing the type of feed they give their animals, better managing fertilizer to prevent run-off, using manure methane to make biogas, and making their operations more efficient overall.

Consumers can reduce environmental harm by purchasing cheese made with milk from organic or grass-fed cows or goats.

Manufacturing and packaging cheeses also contributes to GHG emissions. These operations can be made more environmentally friendly by creating cheeses that require less processing and making additional products such as butter at the same time. Consumers can reduce environmental impacts at this stage by choosing cheeses with less packaging and by selecting less processed cheeses.

Younger cheeses which don’t need to be maintained at a cool temperature during a long aging process, are typically a better environmental choice, though in Europe, some older cheeses are aged in cool underground caves, which significantly reduces their environmental impacts. Soft cheeses also tend to be more environmentally friendly than hard cheeses, which require more aging, longer cooking times, and higher cooking temperatures (though a cheese plant that uses highly efficient practices can significantly reduce its negative impacts even when making harder cheeses). Some of the cheese options that tend to be the greenest include brie, chèvre, camembert, cottage cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella.

A third source of environmental impact is transportation, which can be mitigated by purchasing local cheeses. In addition, consumers can reduce cheese’s negative impacts simply by not wasting it. Purchasing only what you need so that you can use it up before it goes off is one of the easiest ways to reduce GHG emissions.

Sources
Hamershlag, K., Environmental Working Group, What You Eat Matters, 2011.
Hymas, L., “Is Your Cheese Killing the Planet?” Grist, 8 August 2011.
Rastogi, N., “Soft Cheese for a Cleaner Planet,” Slate, 15 December 2009.
University of Wisconsin-Extension, Understand the Carbon Footprint of Cheese, 2011.

The incredibly diverse and beautiful Great Barrier Reef is being destroyed by mining, say Greenpeace, as its renowned ship, Rainbow Warrior, sails to the area in protest.

Campaigners are in Queensland to voice what they argue are serious threats to the existence of the Reef due to local expansion of mining and the building of new port facilities.

They’re not too pleased either with the carbon pollution from the power stations where this blackest of coals is burnt.

This is the first time the Rainbow Warrior has sailed to Australia. The third ship to carry the name, the first “Rainbow Warrior” was sunk by the French near New Zealand 28 years ago.

Greenpeace state that this new Rainbow Warrior ship is in Australia to highlight and actively challenge an industry that, it claims, is undertaking work deemed harmful to the Reef by many Australians.

Industrial development could see the Great Barrier Reef being marked as a World Heritage Site as a result of dangers to its ecology in the face of nearby industrial complexes expanding. As the world’s primary coal exporter, Australia’s mining industry is attempting to reassure the public and wider world that steps are being taken to curb environmental damage. Not good enough, say Greenpeace, who are likely to be a presence in Queensland for quite some time.

This presence appears to be more than rhetoric.

Greenpeace have a reputation for physical protest, and the Rainbow warrior, although peacefully named, may be involved in some less than harmonious engagements with local industry in the coming weeks.

Watch this black-backgrounded space.

A well-designed city is highly sustainable.

With green spaces, bike routes, and good public transportation systems, cities can be great for the environment.

People living in city centers are less likely to drive their cars downtown due to the frustration of getting stuck in traffic and the hassle of trying to find parking, which means that more people in cities enjoy the health benefits of walking and cycling.

Given this trend, it’s unsurprising that those living in the downtown areas tend to be slimmer and healthier than people living outside these urban cores. However, sustainability encompasses more than just environmentalism and health.

The Ethisphere Institute has named the top 20 twenty global sustainability centers – large and mid-sized cities with the best sustainability plans in place for the near future. These cities were ranked not only on where they are now, but also on where they should be in 2020 based on their sustainability plans.

Key sustainability criteria included environmental plan and progress; health and recreation; education; arts and culture; transportation and housing; economy and business development; regulatory framework, law enforcement, and transparency; media and speech and innovation and investment.

Ethisphere’s picks for the top 20 sustainability centers (in no particular order) are:

Toronto, Canada;
Singapore, Singapore;
Hyderabad, India;
Cape Town, South Africa;
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates;
New York City, U.S.;
London, U.K.;
Melbourne, Australia;
Curitiba, Brazil;
Frankfurt, Germany;
Copenhagen, Denmark;
Doha, Qatar;
Edinburgh, UK;
Helsinki, Finland;
Oslo, Norway;
Portland, U.S.;
Reykjavik, Iceland;
Victoria, Canada;
Wellington, New Zealand;
Rotterdam, the Netherlands

For more information on why these cities were selected as global sustainability centers, see 2020 Global Sustainability Centers report by Stefan Linssen and Christopher Sindik on the Ethisphere Institute website.

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