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This is the weblog of
Raymond Powers.
Here I will be sharing what I find of import, humor, concern, inspiration and on the transformational edge
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A Quote:
Now, in the exacting twilight, to choose, not what we shall do or how we shall live but to choose the life whose dreams will hurt least in the nights to come. --Yehuda Amichai
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Raymond lives in Ojai, where the time now is:
03:57PM
Unique Readers:
Primarily
Public Domain
Everything I've written here, except my copyrighted
essays, poetry, lyrics, and music is hereby placed in the public
domain. The quotes from other people's writings, and the pictures
used might or might not be copyrighted, but are considered fair
use. Thus the license here would best be described as:
Primarily Public
Domain.
Please ask permission if there is any question in
regards to public domain usage.
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Syndication:
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| Thursday, March 23, 2006 |  |
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23 Mar 2006 @ 03:49
Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany
Since 1965, as part of an international design competition, the city of Berlin has awarded the Peter Joseph Lenné Prize in three categories: garden and landscape architecture, urban green space planning, and landscape planning incorporating nature conservation. The hunt is on for 2006, and a committee of experts from Berlin's universities and colleges, the Academy of the Arts, the Karl Foerster Foundation, and the municipal administration for green space planning are seeking entries, due June 26, from individuals—or groups of individuals—under 35 years old. Named after the man behind several of Germany's green landmarks, including the parks at Sanssouci in Potsdam and the Tiergarten in Berlin, the competition is a an example of what a proactive endeavor can do to local, and international plots of green. Submissions must be received by June 26. For more information, visit the city’s Senate Department of Urban Development online More >
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23 Mar 2006 @ 00:54
My dear friend John Roulac, founder of Nutiva hemp foods and HempShake sent me this study. It forbodes well for the hemp foods industry.
DNA separates hemp from marijuana plants
MINNEAPOLIS, March 22 (UPI) -- Two University of Minnesota scientists
have become the first to unequivocally separate hemp plants from
marijuana plants by using genetic markers.
Hemp, a crop grown for fiber and seed, and marijuana, the most
popular illegal drug in the United States, both belong to the species
Cannabis sativa. They differ in levels of the psychoactive drug
tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, but are otherwise difficult to tell
apart.
The study's authors -- George Weiblen, a Minnesota professor of plant
biology, and Shannon Datwyler a postdoctoral associate who is on the
faculty of California State University-Sacramento -- say the new DNA
"fingerprinting" technique holds promise for distinguishing different
domesticated plant lines in U.S. criminal cases. It may also prove
useful in nations where the cultivation of hemp is permitted, but
marijuana is illegal, as in Canada and Europe.
The study appears in the March issue of the Journal of Forensic Science.
Copyright © 2006 United Press International, Inc.
In Health,
John W Roulac
Founder and CEO
Author of four books on Hemp & Composting
Nutiva — Delicious Hemp & Coconut Superfoods
800-993-4367 ext 701
[link]
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| Wednesday, March 22, 2006 | |
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22 Mar 2006 @ 02:41
Jacob Gordon, Los Angeles, CA
It appears that a small electrical component company near Boston has figured out how to get electricity out of trees. MagCap Engineering is pretty sure they’ve come up on the next renewable energy revolution. By pounding a nail into the trunk and a conductor into the ground, a faint but consistent charge is detected in a wire running from the tree to the earth. They are now charging NiCad batteries and illuminating LEDs off the current. MagCap is applying for a patent while MIT tests the phenomenon in the blistering Cambridge cold. A company spokesperson told The Boston Globe they hope to be able to charge hybrid batteries this way, but they also propose lighting roads. Makes sense, I suppose. Everything living is running on electric current. More >
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22 Mar 2006 @ 02:39
from Tree Huggers
Collin Dunn, Durham, North Carolina
TreeHugger first reported that Smart Cars would be availabe in the US about 10 months ago, yet a story in PCmag.com quotes parent-company Smart-Automobile LLC as announcing last week that they would begin making their way in the States. After a bit of digging, we discovered that there was a Smart Car sold stateside in May of last year, but it appeared that the lucky husband & wife in Reno, NV received the first (and only, at the time) model imported into the US via an auction on eBay. In any event, according to a much newer ZAP (Zero Air Pollution, the company responsible for Americanizing and distributing the cars) press release, there are now more of the diminuitive ForTwo models on their way. 85 units will be made available to select dealerships across the country; we can only hope that more will soon follow as there are still about $750 million in advance orders waiting to be filled. Once they arrive, prices will range from $15,000 to $25,000 More >
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| Tuesday, March 21, 2006 | |
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 21 Mar 2006 @ 19:19
Imported Organic vs Local Conventional at Whole Foods
Slate Magazine points out in a recent article on Whole Foods that "Let's say you live in New York City and want to buy a pound of tomatoes in season. Say you can choose between conventionally grown New Jersey tomatoes or organic ones grown in Chile. Of course, the New Jersey tomatoes will be cheaper. They will also almost certainly be fresher, having traveled a fraction of the distance. But which is the more eco-conscious choice? In terms of energy savings, there's no contest: Just think of the fossil fuels expended getting those organic tomatoes from Chile. Which brings us to the question: [given the variables of] freshness, price, and energy conservation, should a New Yorker just instinctively choose organic, even if the produce comes from Chile?"
So pretend you live in the Big Apple. What would your choice be? More >
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 21 Mar 2006 @ 18:23
My long time musical inspiration and friend William Aura has been offering his heart and hard work to assist Tibetan refugee children and students.
I wanted to share his compassionate efforts with you.
----------------------------------------------
Aura Communications – March 21, 2006
Dear Friends of Aura Imports,
Hop aboard. It’s that time again and I take strength in you joining me. Today I depart for Thailand, Nepal and India for six weeks. The “Aura Communications” journals and photographs will be published every 5 days or so as I travel (depending on available electricity of course.) This will be my 6th visit to the region. Your prayers and support are particularly appreciated at this time as the suffering continues at an alarming rate in the Himalayan world. I am pleased to say that collectively we are indeed making a difference… one heart at a time.
For those who have followed this path for the past five years, your devotion will not be forgotten. For those new to these writings, on behalf of these Tibetan refugee and war-torn Nepali students, we welcome you to our unfolding story:
Journals from January 2005:
[link]
Journals from September 2005:
[link]
A number of wonderful opportunities have developed since the beginning of this process.
Rick Ray is producing an extraordinary film documentary about His Holiness entitled “Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama”. Footage from my first sojourn to Lhasa, Tibet and a provocative interview with a former Tibetan political prisoner will be incorporated into the final cut. The license fee is being donated to our student fund. Thank-you Rick. This is a profound honor and could not have been done without your support. [link]
Mark Johnson has garnered high accolades for his groundbreaking film “Playing for Change” with at least 20 airplays so far featured on the Sundance channel. The immediate success of this documentary has led this remarkable spirit to develop a new creation showcasing deeply inspired musicians from around the globe. I am so pleased to announce I have been invited to guide him and his crew throughout India and Nepal to document these profound artists. This is powerful work. [link]
Heather Askinosie and Timmi Jandro of Energy Muse are designing some of the most spiritually significant jewelry on the planet right now. It is my great pleasure to produce with them an entire new line of gemstone delights rooted in ancient mysticism. My dear Newari artisan family in Nepal will handcraft these evocative pieces in silver and gold. This collaboration promises to be significant and will benefit many. [link]
Salvatore and Nancilee Iozzia of Chain Reaction Web have generously chosen to sponsor and host our website. When I received the surprising call from Salvatore I must admit I was floored at such a random act of kindness. I never thought such a thing could happen from total strangers. This strong reactive support has raised the game and I am better for it. Anyone who requires professional level website hosting with a mindfulness that exceeds your expectations please contact them and mention my name. [link]
My brilliant niece and nephew, Genevieve and Ben Keller, created our spectacular website. Positive response continues to pour in. Their dedication to this work continues to inspire uncle William. I highly recommend this team and will never forget their devotion.
[link]
Trinity Thomas has graciously stepped forward to assist in getting these writings and photographs arranged for publication. She is a brilliant writer, gemstone enthusiast, eminent psychic and a dear heart. I thank you for this selfless act of love.
Interest in the photographs for use in upcoming books, calendars and cards are coming in. It’s such a pleasure to witness with my own eyes the growing desire to learn more about this spiritually significant region and how their message may enrich us in these challenging times.
So many students’ lives have been affected in such a profound way. Numerous folks write about how this one-to-one relationship with a deserving student has changed their lives forever.
Here is a recent letter from our beloved Tashi. We are so proud of his accomplishments:
“Today I write to share my feelings and support for the man and his contributions and help for the Tibetan people and Tibet which is unlimited to share on the short way to all. As well, I am Aura’s second friend among all his friends in exile.
I was born in Amdo region of Tibet. In 1997 I escaped from Tibet to India. The Tibetan Exile Government provided me school for learning and education for four years. After four years, my opportunities were over.
I didn’t have anywhere to go, no good friends and no nice relative also in exile. While I was thirsting to study more, I wish I could do something for Tibet in the future. I do not expect to return to Tibet and do not have any good family in Tibet. I also felt I could build good way for my life by my own hand then that will be nice for all.
Due to Gods blessing I saw Aura first at Dharamsala in front of Tibetan New Reception Centre. He looked at me and smiled, and took snaps of me before we met. Besides his looks, his interest in Tibetan issues were such strong feelings in his face and smiles. I could feel it. But all the Tibetans he was meeting at TNRC were not able to communicate in English. So then I decided to help translate and I loved to give some information and made friends with him. After that day, we met again and I already bought some books with latest information on Tibet and her people. He was excited he got those books from me. He told me these look so good and what he was looking for. He also wanted to interview me on video about Tibet and to share my life and experience. I found some peace inside when he accepted my request to find some help for my education. His generous ambition and desire to help more Tibetan younger kids education and encouragement makes me so proud. There are so many feelings I can’t share through words or through actions also.
All I have today is because of his blessing and his wide compassion. My entire life changed new, now I have Ama la (Ama in Tibetan which means mother and La means term of love and respect word). So he made this great karma for us, my Ama la and me.
I respect his purity and objectives onward to Tibet and Tibetan issues. Such generosity in a person is so few in today’s world. We always appreciate his contribution to Tibet Exile. For my Ama la and I are always giving unlimited thanks to his blessing to us. Also we pray his dreams come true every single day.”
Sincerely,
Tashi Gyamtso
To read more about students who are desperately in need of educational and emotional support:
[link]
Of course none of this would be possible without this incredible bodhisattva posse. A hearty Tashi Delek and Nameste to our sponsors and contributors for your continued support: Maria Ehrenreich, John Wooler, Craig and Deb Dobbins, Linda Myers, Dorene and Michael Polcyn, Ted Higashi, Jeanette Nelson, Sherry Carballo, Douglas Spotted Eagle, Craig Chaquico and family, Jo Ann and Allen Kepler, Ozzie Ahlers, Gerlando Compilati, Kevin and Lynn Ryerson, Peter Sterling, Nancy Campbell, Sharon Grant & Jillian, Dr. Michael Thompson, Robin Rutherford, Barbara Beale, Darya Tamjidi, Mitch Manker, John and Kent, The Barry Aquilino family, Linda and Luther King, Carol Kiva, Dan Selene, Roger Lifeset, Sepehr Haddad, Tim Timmermans (if I missed you please forgive me!) and numerous angels of mercy who have opened their homes for fund-raising events. I thank you from the depth of my being for joining this dance.
As always, 100% of any donation goes directly to a student’s education fund. Write me back with your pledge and I will place see that it is distributed on this current sojourn. The challenge is great and I humbly ask for your prayers and contributions.
I close with a warm heart and deep appreciation to all who continue to make a real difference lighting one candle at a time. Stay tuned.
Yours in the spirit of peace,
William Aura
cybertibet@yahoo.com More >
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| Monday, March 20, 2006 | |
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20 Mar 2006 @ 21:34
Burgerville Turns Waste Oil Into Biodiesel
March 20, 2006 12:56 PM - Collin Dunn, Durham, North Carolina
We recently reported on a McDonalds franchise owner running his cars on the leftover vegetable oil from his restaurants; now another burger chain has upped the ante. Burgerville, a Vancouver, WA-based "fast casual" restaurant chain, has begun converting its used cooking oil into biodiesel. Through an agreement with Portland company MRP Services, the used oil is picked up and transported to a processing plant where it is converted to biodiesel. Before the current arrangement, the oil was shipped to Asia and typically used in the creation of cosmetics and soap. For Burgerville, whose menu includes regional ingredients like Oregon Country beef and Tillamook cheese, this isn't their first foray into sustainable business practices. Last August, the company announced it would pay for its electricity by purchasing wind power, a move that avoided adding 17.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide to the region annually
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20 Mar 2006 @ 21:30
How many times have you seen a broken or flickering neon light? Durability is not one neon's strengths. But now a new product, LED-Flex, has been introduced as a substitute for neon. The producer, www.MuleLighting.com , has managed to make the flexible LEDs have the appearance and brightness of neon. The biggest advantage of this product is the efficiency level — it reduces energy costs by about 70%. It also has all the advantages of LEDs — durability, a cool operating temperatures and longevity.
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| Sunday, March 19, 2006 | |
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19 Mar 2006 @ 18:54
“Theres no business to be done on a dead planet” - David Brower
1% For The Planet is an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet. Members recognize their responsibility to and dependence on a healthy environment and donate at least 1% of their annual net revenues to environmental organizations worldwide. The alliance aims to prove that taking environmental responsibility is good for business.
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| Saturday, March 18, 2006 | |
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18 Mar 2006 @ 02:14
SENATE APPROVES ARCTIC DRILLING SCHEME IN BUDGET MEASURE
Statement by Karen Wayland, NRDC Legislative Director
WASHINGTON (March 16, 2006) – Passing a budget resolution crafted exclusively to allow oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Senate today circumvented normal legislative channels and undermined the federal budget process to pave the way for special interests obsessed with drilling in the Arctic Refuge, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
A budget resolution is the only bill that cannot be filibustered in the Senate.
This vote to open protected public land to oil drilling comes less than two weeks after the largest oil spill to strike Alaska's North Slope was discovered. The spill went undetected for five days. (See ”Large Oil Spill in Alaska Went Undetected for Days” The New York Times, 3/15/06.)
Following is a statement by Karen Wayland, NRDC's legislative director:
“Orchestrating a federal budget plan to allow Arctic drilling really takes the cake when it comes to special interest politics. This move only serves to pay back big energy companies that have been hauling in record profits.”
“This sham budget resolution has nothing to do with our nation's budgetary priorities, and even less to do with energy security. Consumers won't even feel any real effect from oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Refuge for at least 20 years. Even then, the government's own experts say it will reduce gas prices by only about a penny a gallon.
“We hope the House will show more integrity about our nation's fiscal and energy needs with its budget plan.
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| Friday, March 17, 2006 | |
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17 Mar 2006 @ 08:56
The New Green Scare: Free Speech by Radical Environmentalist, Rod Coronado, Declared Illegal
[link]
March 10, 2006
War on the First Amendment
The Great Green Scare and the Fed's "Case" Against Rod Coronado
By BEN ROSENFELD
The federal government has been champing at the bit to put Rod Coronado back
in prison since the moment he got out in 1999, refusing to repent for his
role in a 1992 arson at a Michigan State University fur research lab.
Federal officials have publicly branded Coronado a leader of the Animal
Liberation Front, even though the ALF is apparently non-hierarchical. He is,
however, an unabashed advocate of property destruction in defense of
animals, and his indictment in San Diego in February, for giving a speech in
which he explained how the incendiary devices used in the Michigan arson
were made, is a flimsy pretext to punish him for his radical views.
The government's vendetta against Coronado is a campaign in a broader witch
hunt against radical environmentalists and self-identified "green
anarchists" -- those who merge ecology, animal rights, and anarchism in a
vision of freedom and sustainability for all living beings. After Coronado's
arrest, the U.S. Attorney for San Diego, Carol Lam, stated in the
government's official press release, pre-judging the case for the public:
"Teaching people how to build explosives in order to commit violent crimes
is unacceptable in civilized society. There is no excuse for it." And so,
through sophistry and syllogism, the government has transformed speech into
violence.
On December 13, 2005, Coronado was convicted in Arizona for peacefully
attempting to disrupt a mountain lion hunt, which the U.S. Forest Service
organized after a hiker reported seeing a lion in a popular canyon -- even
though Arizona's Fish and Game Department searched and didn't find any
tracks. The public came out strongly against the hunt, prompting authorities
in the end to trap and relocate two lions without killing them. After
Coronado's conviction, Assistant U.S. Attorney Wallace Kleindienst told
reporters that Coronado is "a danger to the community. I know he wasn't
tried here for being a violent anarchist. This trial wasn't about Rod
Coronado being a terrorist, but he is one." The AUSA thus revealed the
government's two ulterior motives for going after Coronado: One, it has a
vendetta against him personally, and two, it has quietly embarked on yet
another war against an abstract concept -- anarchism.
The new case against Coronado is as stark a case about free speech as this
country has ever seen. Measured against any historic test of free speech,
Coronado's behavior -- i.e., his speech -- was alarmingly protected and
uncriminal. [1] On July 30, 2003, persons unknown torched an apartment
complex under construction in San Diego, causing millions of dollars in
damage. The day afterward, Coronado flew to San Diego to lecture at a
previously scheduled event. In response to a question from an audience
member, Coronado -- who has been a public figure on the environmental
lecture circuit since his release from prison in 1999 -- demonstrated how
someone had constructed a non-explosive, incendiary device out of a plastic
jug filled with gasoline to commit the Michigan arson for which he did his
time. The government does not suspect, and has not accused, Coronado of any
involvement in the fire set the day before his speech.
READ More >
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17 Mar 2006 @ 08:51
Ronnie Cummins: Gaia Not Guns, A Declaration of Peace & Inter-Dependence
GAIA NOT GUNS: A DECLARATION OF PEACE & INTER-DEPENDENCE
Posted 3/13/06
By Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumers Association
Gaia: Named after an ancient Greek Goddess of the Earth, Gaia is the belief
and scientific hypothesis that our entire planet is a living organism with
Humankind as an integral part.
Farmers and consumers, both U.S. and worldwide, share the unique privilege
and daunting responsibility of making sure that everyone is fed, and that
the land, water, and climate are nurtured and protected so that we can feed
and nourish the future generations.
War and the enormous waste of resources spent in waging war and maintaining
a huge military industrial complex, threaten our well-being and the literal
survival of our children and the future generations. U.S. taxpayers, for
example, are currently supporting a military budget of over $578 billion a
year, ($463 billion for ³normal² military spending and $115 billion for the
Iraq & Afghan wars)--enough to pay for the cost of eliminating global hunger
and stabilizing the global climate. The annual costs of waging the war in
Iraq and maintaining military bases in the Middle East alone are sufficient
to launch a crash program to reduce greenhouse gases by 75%, feed the
world¹s hungry, and convert the U.S. economy to renewable energy and organic
and sustainable agricultural practices.
As the world¹s climate scientists and energy analysts warn us, unless we
rapidly transfer billions of dollars from the military budget and other
corporate welfare programs, and implement a far-reaching global program to
eliminate poverty, reduce greenhouse gases, and convert the U.S. and global
economy to renewable energy and sustainable production, civilization, as we
know it today, may not survive more than a few more decades.
As organic and socially responsible consumers, we come together to oppose
the war in Iraq and to challenge the dangerous and unsustainable cycle of
war and militarism that threatens our world. The solution we propose is a
negotiated peace, nuclear disarmament, energy independence (for all
nations), and a concerted global campaign to reduce and eliminate global
poverty, especially rural poverty, through the conversion of agriculture and
global commerce to sustainable and organic production.
We come from different political, religious, and social backgrounds, but
share a common concern that the living Earth or Creation, must be protected,
that the upcoming generations have an inalienable right to a stable climate
and that the United States, founded by small farmers and craftsmen/women,
must return to the spirit and ideals upon which our Republic was founded.
We strive for a world that reduces the risk of war by eliminating its
causes--poverty, control of government and mass media by powerful special
interests (the fossil fuel lobby and the military industrial complex),
environmental degradation, injustice, and religious intolerance. We call
for all countries to stop misappropriating their resources on war and to
focus instead on fighting hunger, promoting public health, stabilizing the
climate, and protecting our common environment and farmlands.
Organic and Socially Responsible Consumers Say No to War and Climate Chaos
Help us build up a national and international network of organic and
socially responsible consumers who wish to protect Gaia/Mother Earth, put an
end to war and military madness, and green and re-localize the global
ecology.
Our group plans to become part of United for Peace and Justice, a coalition
of 1300 local and national anti-war groups in the U.S.
(www.unitedforpeace.org ). Please join us
in building up a powerful coalition that brings about cooperation and
synergy between the anti-war movement, the climate crisis movement, and the
organic community.
Thanks to the Farms Not Arms coalition and peaceroots.org for much of the
wording and inspiration for this document.
And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into
pruning hooks.
ISAIAH 2:4
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17 Mar 2006 @ 08:43
Greenpeace Finds Heinz Baby Rice Cereal in China Contaminated by Illegal GE Rice
Greenpeace finds Heinz Baby Rice Cereal contaminated by illegal GE rice
english.eastday.com, 14/3/2006
[link]
Greenpeace announced in Beijing today that non-approved genetically-engineered (GE) rice has been detected in Heinz's Baby Rice Cereal and the environmental group called for an immediate recall of all the contaminated products.
It also asked on the government to control the spread of GE rice in the food chain.
The test results were provided by GeneScan, a Germany-based independent laboratory, which tested 19 food samples that Greenpeace had collected in the supermarkets in Beijing.
Heinz Baby Rice Cereal with a best before date of March 12, 2007 is the only product where GE ingredients, namely Bt rice, were detected.
The GE rice variety is developed to be resistant to pest but has not been approved by the government.
"We were completely shocked by the result," said Steven Ma, GE campaigner for Greenpeace China.
"It is the first time we found illegal GE rice in baby food, which should have been subject to the most rigorous surveillance."
In 2000 Mexican scientists found that the Bt protein (Cry1Ac) which comes from GE rice has been found to induce allergic responses in mice, Ma said.
On March 1, Greenpeace notified Heinz China of its finding, asking for an immediate recall of the product and for the company to change its suppliers.
Donald Gadsden, CEO of Heinz China, replied on March 8 that "Heinz will take any alerts seriously and we are now conducting a thorough inspection."
As of March 14, Heinz had not responded with further information about its inspection. More >
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17 Mar 2006 @ 08:39
Natural Design: Core to Sustainability
This is from one of my favorite environmental websites www.treehugger.com
Tony Brown and the Ecosa Institute
March 16, 2006 10:50 AM - Collin Dunn, Durham, North Carolina
Tony Brown is the founder and director of the Ecosa Institute, the only design program in the US devoted entirely to sustainability. The Ecosa Institute was founded in the belief that design based on nature is critical to the search for a new design philosophy; the mission of the Institute is to restore health to the natural environment, and thus the human environment, through education in design. Mr. Brown’s dedication to issues of sustainability and ecological design developed after joining Paolo Soleri’s Cosanti Foundation where he worked for thirteen years on conceptual designs for a new vision of urban settlements. In 1996 Brown formally founded Ecosa ; in 2000, the Institute offered its first semester in sustainable design.
TreeHugger: How does Ecosa address what you see as lacking in today’s conventional design education?
Tony Brown: There are many ways in which the conventional model of the college and university are failing to meet the future. The traditional institutions are risk averse; few people are fired for saying no to a new idea. One would imagine that our institutions of higher learning were hot beds of innovation, unfortunately the opposite is true. The dis-economy of scale inherent in many of the now gigantic organizations of our universities and colleges make change a difficult, lengthy, bureaucratic process. As a consequence we are teaching to an outmoded model. A beaux-arts student from the 1890s would not feel out of place in many of today’s architecture schools. Architecture is a powerful skill yet it is not harnessed to grapple with environmental, ecological or ethical issues. While sustainability is a word being used in colleges of architecture it is an adjunct skill and doesn’t permeate the curricula.
Multi-disciplinary education is also difficult in a traditional setting. The administrative structure of the university tends to divide rather than integrate. The psychology department rarely, if ever, interacts with the architecture department. Even engineering departments have a difficult time collaborating with, never mind integrating with, architecture or planning or graphic design. All the new ideas and synergy created by cross-cultural activity is rarely possible. Departmental budgets, turf battles and tradition are a few of the hurdles. Our semesters often contain wide-ranging skills. Semesters have had engineers, architects, landscape architects, marine biologists and computer programmers working together. In terms of sustainability, I am amazed at how many of our students have no concept of passive solar design parameters. Many of the sustainable ad-ons to courses are electives and lead to the plug in attitude “I’ll just add photovoltaic panels here�? with little understanding of integration or stacking functions. What design schools are excellent at is teaching design from an aesthetic, technological, historical and intellectual perspective and, while I believe that these are vital and important functions we must broaden the scope of architectural education. It is more than a decorative art. It is fundamental to our survival.
TH: Part of the reason you founded Ecosa was so you wouldn’t have to bend to the mainstream university system. Can Ecosa bring sustainability to the mainstream without going mainstream?
TB: For the reasons I have noted before I don’t believe real innovation is a product of the current system. Education is a monopoly and monopolies tend not to encourage innovation. I do not believe we have all the answers nor do traditional schools, but we have the opportunity to try new things and new ways of teaching. The value of things like mixing disciplines, skill levels, working on real projects, would be far more difficult in a traditional setting. We do work with other educational institutions that see our program as an enhancement of the regular design curricula. They are excited to be able to offer their students a different kind of experience that they understand is important.
The other concept for making these ideas mainstream? Through leverage. In founding Ecosa I knew that we would have a limited number of students so the concept is to create design “viruses�? in our students. We bring them to Ecosa to “infect�? them with a real sense of the power they have to impliment change, we give them skills to be smarter about energy strategies, how to design high performance bio climatic designs. Then we send them out into their schools or workplaces to become emissaries of change. In that way one student can affect many other people amplifying the impact of our program. Many of the new sustainable initiatives in universities have been pushed by students.
TH: You designed Ecosa for students and professionals studying or practicing built design. How do you sell the environment as a cause to designers, rather than the other way around?
TB: Ultimately the solution is not to rely on just designers or just environmentalists but to have many disciplines work together in interactive ways each informing the others knowledge. I believe very strongly that we have specialized ourselves into a corner where we no long see the big picture and so we solve problems in isolation from each other. A dangerous approach with unintended consequences.
For several years I taught sustainable design at Prescott College. The students were liberal arts students with a passionate concern about the environment. While the solutions they proposed were valid, they lacked a broad worldview and the aesthetic quality that designers bring to projects. Designers on the other hand are looking for an aesthetic approach that has very little to do with solving social or environmental problems, so the challenge is which of these groups can have the most impact in solving problems? Design at its most basic level is a problem solving skill, and that is a vital skill for the 21st century. So by training designers to address today’s most critical issues we are extending the reach of that skill.
Many people enter the design professions as a way of making a difference; improving the world. They are often disillusioned by what they find. However, there is a growing understanding among young designers, that the future holds some alarming challenges. Just one issue; the impacts of climate change will stress food supplies, raise sea levels, displace coastal communities, cause mass migrations and threaten our ability to maintain social order. It is clear that the magnitude of the challenges we will face are unprecedented. What is important about design is that it is, above all, a problem solving skill.
From a purely self-interested professional position sustainability is being driven by market forces. Government and businesses are demanding energy efficiency and high performance from their buildings. Therefore it is becoming more desirable skill among architectural firms. As the environment deteriorates and regulation becomes more necessary, those with a sustainable background who can innovate will be in demand. So, rather than having to sell designers on becoming environmentally concerned I believe our future needs will demand that they are.
TH: If all your students could take one thing away from Ecosa, what would it be?
That design is a powerful tool for change and they have that power. Buildings in the US according to Edward Mazria consume more than 45% of our energy. Just imagine the impact of cutting that in half. The reduction in greenhouse gases would be major. Architects specify about $1 trillion per year in materials for their projects. Other designers; product designers, landscape architects also specify materials. This gives them an enormous leverage for change. Understanding what really constitutes sustainable materials and demanding recycled content, non-toxic materials and manufacture, low energy use products, can literally change the world.
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Sounding Circle implies the cycles, spirals and symbols of our thought, our culture, our lineage and our imagination.
A place to share ideas, create community, and give voice to our muse.
"Giving more than we take, taking just what we need."
"The universe is music connecting 10th dimensional hyperspace".
Prof. Michio Kaku, Phd. |
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"It's not what you think, it's what you think about."
- lyric from You Can't Turn Back (But You Can Turn Back On) |
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Sounding Circle
