Create

A BETTER FUTURE

ENVIRONMENT

Humans have an illusion that we can exist outside of nature, which is a conditioned response that generation after generation has come to believe. A thinking pattern that was not established overnight a pattern that somehow the environment, these ecosystems, are separate entities from humans. Somewhere we have learned to view nature as materials and parts, just as we would view a house. Looking at how it is constructed, what kind of design it has, and what kinds of materials are used.

This mechanistic world view is quite incorrect. A house is not a home! For example, when we envision home, not just the house, we imagine not only the house structure but the relationships within that structure the relationships among people in the house and between people and the environment of the house. This view goes beyond the physical structure, that which we envision in our minds from our knowledge, to embrace the feelings of the heart.

If there is a moral absolute, it is that desecration of the natural environment, risk to animals, plants, and humans when land, air, and water are fouled by others, is wrong. Is our mind telling us this, or is our heart telling us what is right and wrong? For example, consider the major issue of global warming. Many scientists believe time is running out for the world to halt global warming, the International Climate Change Taskforce warned recently. Dramatic efforts are needed in the next decade, the taskforce said, if the world is to avoid the rising sea levels, agricultural losses, increased water shortages and widespread adverse health impacts expected from global warming.

Living Planet Report - People are consuming the Earth's natural resources 20 percent faster than nature can renew them -- a dangerous imbalance that is driving the loss of species and may lead to critical resource shortages in the years ahead, according to a new report by World Wildlife Fund. Sustainable living is not incompatible with a high standard of living. Our challenge as a society is to find ways to live within the planet's carrying capacity, and to do so before it is too late.

One Earth Home (ECO) - ECO’s mission is to use the power of communication to improve the global environment. Has many facts on world sustainability problems.

Sustainability: A New Bottom Line - Our resources are limited. Our little planet can only provide so many goods and absorb so much of our waste. Given these constraints, our current economy, which is predicated on relentless growth, is unsustainable. Something has to give.

WorldWatch Institute - State of the World Annual Report - The Worldwatch Institute offers a unique blend of interdisciplinary research, global focus, and accessible writing that has made it a leading source of information on the interactions among key environmental, social, and economic trends. Its work revolves around the transition to an environmentally sustainable and socially just society—and how to achieve it.

Earth Trends: The Environmental Portal - EarthTrends is an online collection of information regarding the environmental, social, and economic trends that shape our world. Committed to the principle that accurate information drives responsible decisions by governments and individuals, EarthTrends offers the public a large breadth of statistical, graphic, and analytical data in easily accessible formats.

Five E's Unlimited - Five E's employs the "smart" progress strategy of Conservation-Based Development, that can effectively deal with and anticipate impacts of Urban Constellation sprawl on adjacent rural district environments. Our focus in using this strategy is to integrate the valuable natural resource assets of a region with related economic and other development objectives toward sound, "win-win" scenarios of community improvement.

Environmental Resources - The EnviroLink Network is a non-profit organization founded in 1991. EnviroLink maintains a database of thousands of environmental resources.

Charting the Seas of Ocean Education - The Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) is a network of seven regional centers that act locally and regionally, as well as dream, think and act nationally. The goals of COSEE are to: promote the development of effective partnerships between research scientists and educators; to disseminate effective ocean sciences programs and the best practices that do not duplicate but rather build on existing resources; and to promote a vision of ocean education as a charismatic, interdisciplinary vehicle for creating a more scientifically literate workforce and citizenry.

Great Transition Initiative - The global transition has begun—a planetary society will take shape over the coming decades. But its outcome is in question. Current trends set the direction of departure for the journey, not its destination. Depending on how environmental and social conflicts are resolved, global development can branch into dramatically different pathways.The Great Transition Initiative is an expanding international effort to help crystallize a global citizens movement by advancing an inspiring and coherent vision.

Digital Library for Earth System Education - The Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE) is a grassroots community effort involving educators, students, and scientists working together to improve the quality, quantity, and efficiency of teaching and learning about the Earth system at all levels.

World Wildlife Fund - World Wildlife Fund (WWF) leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats. Now in its fifth decade, WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on earth. With nearly 1.2 million members in the U.S. and another 4 million worldwide, WWF is the world's largest privately financed conservation organization. WWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals: saving endangered species, protecting endangered habitats and addressing global threats such as toxic pollution, over-fishing and climate change.

World Resources Institute, World Resources 2002-04 - World Resources 2002-2004 focuses on the importance of good environmental governance. We explore how citizens, government managers, and business owners can foster better environmental decisions -- decisions that meet the needs of both ecosystems and people with equity and balance.

Union of Concerned Scientists– Citizens and Scientists for Environmental Solutions. UCS is an independent nonprofit alliance of more than 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists. We augment rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.

Watersheds of the World - This report for the first time presents and analyzes a wide range of global data at the watershed level, assessing 154 watersheds around the world. The analysis focuses on watershed, as ecological units and on the risks of degradation from human activities, which may undermine their ability to provide ecological services and maintain intact the biodiversity found within them.

Journey to Planet Earth - Embark on a journey that explores the delicate relationship and balance between people and the natural world they inhabit.

Climate Analysis Indicators Tool - The Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT) is an information and analysis tool on global climate change developed by the World Resources Institute. CAIT provides a comprehensive and comparable database of greenhouse gas emissions data (including all major sources and sinks) and other climate-relevant indicators. CAIT can be used to analyze a wide range of climate-related data questions and to help support future policy decisions.

Working Together to Reduce Hazardous Waste - When improperly used, stored or disposed of, these chemicals threaten human health and the environment. Moreover, exposure to some household products and business materials presents a risk to health and environmental quality even when used and disposed of properly. Prompted by citizen demand, Washington State directed local governments to create plans to ensure proper management of hazardous wastes produced by households and, in small quantity, by businesses and other organizations.

Care2 - Over 2 million members who care2 make a difference. See topics on environment, health, human welfare, animals, education, women and more.

Silent Spring Institute: Researching the Environment and Women's Health - SILENT SPRING INSTITUTE is a non-profit scientific research organization dedicated to identifying the links between the environment and women's health, especially breast cancer. The Institute is a groundbreaking collaboration of scientists, physicians, health advocates, and community activists, and a leading edge research institution using multi-disciplinary, state-of-the-art approaches.

Conservation Economy - On this site, fifty-seven patterns provide a framework for an ecologically restorative, socially just, and reliably prosperous society. They are adaptable to local ecosystems and cultures, yet universal in their applicability. Together they form what we call a Conservation Economy. Together, the patterns form a visual and conceptual framework that can be used to inspire innovation, focus planning efforts, and document emerging best practices. A conservation economy comprehensively integrates Social, Natural, and Economic Capital to demonstrate that a sustainable society is both desirable and achievable.

EcoTrust - Ecotrust is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the emergence of a conservation economy along North America's rain forest coast, the region from San Francisco to Anchorage. We work in urban and rural areas to support entrepreneurs whose work improves environmental, economic, and social conditions. We have spent the last ten years building a conservation economy in the coastal temperate rainforest stretching from Big Sur, California to Kodiak Island, Alaska.

Environmental Issues Education - Site devoted to education on environmental issues including global warming, acid rain, and overpopulation.

Environmental Impacts - Links, articles, and information on overpopulation, energy usage, climate change, and other environmental issues.

The Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) - BFI is committed to a successful and sustainable future for 100% of humanity. Founded in 1983 and inspired by the Design Science principles pioneered by the late Buckminster Fuller, BFI serves as an information resource for concerned citizens around the world. BFI believes that the success of the human experiment on-board Spaceship Earth depends greatly upon individuals having access to tools which empower them to see the big picture and take strategic action. The decisive challenge is to generate a critical mass of awareness, matched by cohesive effort, focused on implementing our option for success before it expires.

Home Energy Saver - The Home Energy Saver is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make the savings happen. The Home Energy Saver was the first Internet-based tool for calculating energy use in residential buildings.