7gen Bloc

Greenpeace is one of the best known environmental groups in America, and even better known around the world. They fall roughly left of center in the spectrum of environmental organizations, right about where I do. They combine careful and thoughtfully researched work with bold actions that capture our imagination and spirit.

My recent post about Wal-Mart's professed desire to go green generated some valuable feedback from reader Valerie who commented, "When I read that you declined to have your products in Wal-Mart I was completely shocked for many reasons." First, I want say thanks, Valerie, for your thoughtful critique of our decision not to sell to Wal-Mart. This is without question one of the most complicated business and ethical questions we face. And it's well worth adding a few additional thoughts to my previous post.

in awe of all they brought and the energy leaving the room missing it already we end with reciprocal gratitude, sweaty hugs and what’s the next chapter? what change will be brought by those empowered? I can feel the momentum created and know that it can’t be stopped an overdue change has become inevitable ________ Yesterday was new for me. I received so much gratitude, so many heart-felt hugs, and even a standing ovation (during which I turned bright red); at first I felt really embarrassed by all of it, like I didn’t deserve their thanks.

We’ve known it for a long time... Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are bad news. But new research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Services (NIEHS) has now found that one particularly common VOC is particularly hazardous.

According to news reports coming out of Brazil, the Amazon rainforest has been granted a stay of execution at the hands of soy bean growers. Responding to public protests and activist pressure, Cargill, Inc. and other major soy traders have declared that for the next two years they will stop buying soy from growers occupying newly deforested lands.

As part of the Change It training, students worked through a simulation earlier this week where they were challenged to solve an energy crisis in “Sweet River, USA.” At first, as with any simulation, there were some participants who seemed a bit apprehensive. But eventually everyone really got into it and enjoyed their simulated energy campaigns, lobbying sessions, and the community events held in Sweet River.

Hi there, my name is Dr. Jacques, Ph. D. and I am an esteemed member of the Sweet River University faculty in Sweet River, Esperanza. I care about climate change and I want to help bring clean energy to Sweet River University.... Actually, I'm a student member of the Seventh Generation/ Greenpeace Change It seminar, but I really do care about climate change. For the past several days most of our engaging discussions and debates have been focusing on our pseudo campaign we have started regarding climate change and clean energy at fictional Sweet River University

I’ve always respected Thomas Friedman. He's smart as a whip, but he's recently become too conservative for my taste. When he says all trade is good trade, and he’d support any free trade agreement without even reading it, he’s gone too far for my tastes. But he’s also a big advocate for alternative energy and a huge critic of the White House inaction on global warming. Over the weekend, on the Tim Russert show, he went so far as to say that “green” is the new red, white and blue, and the most patriotic thing anyone can do.”

We’ve been really blessed with our guest speakers this week at Change It. Christine Kelly from the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education woke us up with her Systems Thinking training first thing in the morning yesterday. It was fun, and everyone really seemed to get how it applied to the work that they’re doing here, and out in the world.

My brother Peter would have turned 50 today. There would have been a huge party around the swimming pool of a rented house near the beach. Loud music, beautiful people, too much to drink.