Can the nations come together to make a culture of peace?

Climate Rally Photo Essay

Small and big climate change rallies took place across the nation yesterday, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, St. Louis, dozens more.  What was unique about these rallies is not the protest itself but the coalition that has formed to oppose a specific yet potentially devastating project, the XL Keystone pipeline.  The exploitation of the Tar Sands in Canada and proposed pipleline to the Gulf of Mexico have united two previously distanced movements, the environmental movement, including first time activists the Sierra Club and the emerging Idle No Move First Nations movement.   Together, the nations are joining to unite against the continuation of the old paradigm that came to this land over 500 years ago, the path of endles consumption that leads to more suffering and eventually destruction, the serpent biting its tail.  Together, the nations are showing us a different path, one where the grass is always green, one that is slower but sustainable, one where we practice a culture of peace.  Are we the new people? Can we build a culture of peace?


Can we build sustainability on renewable energy?

A question we hear asked is 'can we generate enough energy on sustainable energy?'  The answer is complicated but there are countries doing renewable programs such as Germany who generates 25% of energy from renewables and plans to reach 80% by 2050.  Could it be done here in the U.S.?  Most definitely.  With the right investments and political will, we have the potential to greatly reduce and end our consumption of fossil fuels.   But what about Natural Gas, our most abundant resource? Even with the Governor of Colorado recently drinking fracking fluid, Natural Gas is not the answer.  It is still a fossil fuel, emits carbon and extraction through fracking has serious problems.  Check out the latest episode of Gas Stories to see the story of a small village in Germany that has answered these challenges. 

Must see documentary "Hit & Stay"

Baltimore filmmakers Skizz Cyzyk and Joe Tropea are about to premier their new documentary "Hit and Stay" at the Chicago Underground Film Festival.  Judging from the trailer, I'd say we are in for a real treat.  Really looking forward to seeing this important film that is so appropriate for our times.