Subsidiarity: A whale of a pattern of thought and an organizing principle for community-based environmental management

Off the coast of Maine, an explosive exhalation of air swept my attention over the sailboat’s starboard rail.  A broad stretch of hide rose like a pebbled sand bar the length of the twenty-seven-foot boat.  The right whale wheeled forward, sliding into opaque water while I stammered and pointed. I was alone at the helm…

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Melting Greenland Ice Sheet, Sea Ice Formation, and the Flow of the Gulf Stream

Pummeled by rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and increasing ocean acidity, headlines tell of climate change giving the ocean another punch. “A crucial system of ocean currents is faltering.” “A critical ocean system may be heading for collapse due to climate change.” “Climate crisis: Scientists spot warning signs of Gulf Stream collapse.” Yet, as…

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Peabody Peak Capacity Generator Need Not Burn Fossil Fuels

Something is fishy off Pulaski Street by the Waters River in Peabody, Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) plans to build a fossil fuel-powered 55-megawatt generator. The peak capacity generator would operate about 239 hours a year to meet the surge capacity energy needs of fourteen power plants. This makes no sense when…

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Lawn by Lawn, with Nature Doing the Work, We Can Cool the Planet

Thursday July 23, the Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Care for Healthy Soils Competition was in Bridgewater. Jacklyn Norris (left) of Bridgewater University Environmental Action Team was assisted by Susanna Buckley (Connecticut College) and Adibah Shaikh (U Mass Lowell). The winning towns are those with the greatest number of households pledging to maintain natural lawns…

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Boston GreenFest 2021Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt at Boston GreenFest 2021   Find the Natural Lawns for Healthy Soils stickers. Look for the Worm and Springtail! When you’ve found treasure tell us the vendor/exhibitor you found. What does the vendor/exhibitor do for sustainability? ~ You may comment below or click here to dive deep into our Treasure Hunt, Yo Ho!