Cradle to Cradle

For me, Cradle to Cradle was incredibly refreshing. Not only did it recognize that the world will probably never stop growing, it encouraged growth. But the right kind of growth. Good growth. A lot of environmental literature asserts that growth is the key to the destruction of the Earth- which, let's face it, the kind of growth we're doing right now is. But McDonough and Braungart decided that growth could be better designed.

From the construction of buildings to restructuring recycling, most of Cradle to Cradle was devoted to turning the authors' theories into actual practice- kind of a marvel idea, right? Everything that is grown or created is part of a cycle. Nothing should be thrown or put away. To conquer the idea of using resources more sustainably, the authors used the idea of the triangle (which we covered in class a bit).

In general, the biggest problem I have with environmental literature is that it requires major changes on the part of humans- something that I'm just not sure will happen just yet. It very well could eventually, but by then it might be too late. Like the book discussed, consumerism is dangerous. We buy new jackets and shoes every couple of months and then we just throw the old ones "away." Even if we recycle something, doing so leads to the release of chemicals and toxins that are also harmful to the environment. I honestly believe that things have to get a lot worse before people will care enough to help them get better. They have to notice these things in their daily lives and they have to believe that a new technology isn't going to fix everything.

The next stage, accomplished looking backward.

I really appreciate this book for its bold forward-thinking approach. Just with the first few pages, one can see how the authors have committed to restructuring the economy to serve the interests of a more enlightened environmentally conscious consumer. Bill’s life story revolved around finding simple solutions to pressing environmental problems in the field of architecture. A well-traveled man, he has observed numerous time-tested ways of habitation in such distant nations as Japan and Jordan. His experience tells him that sometimes the most effective answers are much simpler that industry would have us believe. The ways of Bedouin tribes, for example, keep their members dry in the rain and cool in the heat of summer. Sometimes, the way forward can be reached with the means we have now. We need not develop endless amounts of useless and wasteful technology. We have to concentrate on using the resources we have no to find answers to the tough questions we have to ask now.

Cradle to Cradle

Cradle to Cradle takes a very interesting perspective on the green movement by expanding and shedding more light on the rise of industrialization, regulation, and consumerism.

The argument I find most appealing in the book is the highly necessary calling out of the current environmentalist movement as a lessening of a large evil. The chapter titled Eco Effectiveness rejects the contemporary 'greening' of mass consumerism through 30% recycled paper goods, or reusable (yet still toxic) grocery bags. In its place, the most compelling call to action is for a reframing of the entire eco-perspective. Using the Cherry tree as an example of mass production for solitary gain, the 'waste' created in the process of pollination is not considered waste. Rather it acts in accordance with the ecosystem, decaying cherries giving nutritional value to the soil and grasses.

Applying this paradigm shift to design and construction, toxic and carcinogenic by-products can be phased out. Replacing them through the increased up front cost with natural- easy to break down by-products- can benefit both human consumption as far as health and the environments ability to cope with human presence.

To use resources more sustainably the authors later visualize a triangular system of ecology, equity, and economy to question the harder, more deeply embedded norms of society today. This triangle, which we covered in class a bit, was the most forward thinking theme of the book. The challenge to reframe the way norms have played out and to put ecology and economy at the forefront of the conceptualization is the best way in my opinion to spark and maintain positive change.

Cradle 2 The Grave: Not Just For DMX Anymore

Reading to Cradle to Cradle reminded me of one of hte most impressive life style choices that I have ever heard about. One of my best friend's brothers (Henceforth known as Ben) built a completely off the grid house in the desert. The house is out in the New Mexico desert and was built solely by Ben and his brother Dave over the course of a few months. Ben, a graduate of the hippy farm school Hampshire University was always interested in the environment and over the course of a few years decided to buy a plot of land and build his house. The house is sunken into the ground of the desert which helps with both heating and cooling year round, he collects rain water for use in the house and also installed solar panels on the roof. The best part as far as I am concerned is that he built the entire house illegally, state codes in New Mexico have made it illegal to build a house on only 1 acre of land because it is barely enough to build a house on. But thanks to the fact that he is surrounded by desert and no one cares about the codes in the desert he was able to build the house.

I personally don't have the willpower to live in the desert and build my own house. However I think that people like Ben are those who will do the best in the world that Cradle to Cradle envisions. The restructuring of our society that McDonough puts forth in his book is revolutionary and will require the actions of people like Ben who are willing to go out and build their own world even if they have to live in the desert.

Cradle to Cradle

Cradle to Cradle is one of the first positive things we have read in our class. It actually provides answers to the question "What should we be doing and how can we do it?" The book does not have all of the answers and at several times admits that the answers they have need to be expanded upon. The main idea in Cradle to Cradle is that we need to stop simply reducing our environmental impact, we need to be more ambitious then that. We need to start having a positive impact and become "native" to the land, we need to be more like ants and cheery trees, which throughout their life actually contribute to the health of the earth. The authors suggest that we rethink how we create everything from our cars, to car parts, to the machines that make cars and car parts, to the factories in which cars are made.

While the changes that Cradle to Cradle proposes would be difficult to make, especially with our consumer culture. But that does not mean they are impossible. I enjoy the idea that we could change the way we live so that we live with nature and still maintain a similar lifestyle that we are accustomed too. And I believe that the general population would be more receptive to the idea of improving the way we live while still having some of the comforts we have grow accustom too. And I also believe that the idea that we use human creativity to create these new lifestyles will also be appealing to a large number of people. However I do also believe that it will take a very long time for people to start jumping on board with these concepts and that we still need to take more aggressive action now in order to be able to take these steps later.

The Lorax: Remixed

UNLESS someone like you

cares a whole awful lot

nothing is going to get better

it's not.

The Lorax is gone and he's not coming back

Brown Bar-ba-loots starve from every tree that is hacked

Swomee-Swans have gone mute and Humming fish all have croaked

The Forest is gone and the sinks are all choked.

'I have this one seed,

now what should I do?

The last people who care

are just me and you!'

To grow back a forest,

it takes more than that

I must find some friends,

I must start this chat.

We'll burn all the axes, destroy all the thneeds

This consumerist culture is something nobody needs

Creating conventions, use powers that be ,

somebody quick call the ICC!

I paid for this future,

15 cents and a nail.

Citizen's arrest,

take the once-ler to jail!

With this seed in one hand, an a friend's in another,

We'll restore the glory of the Lorax, ou brother.

Climate change is real... let me show you...

At a glance, one can easily spot worlds of differences between the two websites. “Friend of Science” claims man-made global warming does not exist. If offers many graphics and many charts, but largely fails to explain them. Also, under its “About Us” section, it offers no names. Rather it simply defines the organization as a group of retired and active earth and atmospheric scientists. Its identity cannot easily be discerned. You have to dig several pages deep before finding names of the men and women who wrote reports.

On the other hand, “How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic” gives a much wider, informed and in depth view, giving us access to a much larger amount of evidence. While the other site simply redirects us to sympathetic yet well-made blogs, its documents cannot compare with the scientific credentials of the organizations backing Coby Beck. NASA and the Climate Research Unit are just a few of the government-sponsored groups that are working to give us a clear picture. These organs have held accountable; they are the best-funded and most professional scientific organization in the world. NASA alone has a fleet of satellites at its disposal. Also, it offers counters to every conceivable argument of those who question climate change.