As a building energy use professional and ecologist, I have been appalled at the invention and use of the term ‘net-zero’. Here is an article which lays out the problem with it. Read and be informed!
Luis Lopezllera Mendes Presente!
My dear friend and mentor Luis Lopezllera passed from this life the end of October. Luis was the kindest, gentlest, most positive person I believe I have ever met. We met in Mexico City in 1986 in the aftermath of the Mexico City earthquake through the Partners of the Americas when San Francisco was ‘partnered’ with Mexico City. On that first trip to Mexico, Luis introduced me to the urban slums where masses of poor people were living in makeshift housing on dirt floors. We then worked together on and off over the next few years focusing on my bringing microcomputers and internet access to the NGO community in Mexico and throughout the region.
Luis was a great man, a true realist, a stellar human being. There are very few people you meet in life who are truly humble, largely behind the scenes, doing transformative work. Luis was one of them. Luis had a vision of a better world and he worked tirelessly to achieve it. Through his organization, Promocion del Desarrollo Popular, he had great effect upon many people and movements. If you search on his name, you will get an idea of the scope and reach of his life and work. Example.
Luis you are already now and for a long time to come will be sorely missed. You are present in our hearts and minds.
Penned Article Gets Reprints
An article I penned last month has gotten quite a bit of circulation. Here is one such reprint.
Localization: Bringing about Buen Vivir to address climate fluctuations and globalization
Building Energy Performance Simulation Modeling Training
I helped train 10 professional architects here in Pretoria in building energy performance simulation modeling using DesignBuilder software. Thank yous to the University of Pretoria Department of Architecture for use of their classroom facilities, to the Pretoria Institute for Architecture for arranging attendees, and to the Fulbright Specialist Program for bringing me to South Africa to share my knowledge and experience.
Localization for Climate Chaos Adaptation in Bolivia
| I just completed a series of four investigative reports for the UNDP Bolivia where I explored how Buen Vivir can be manifested in the face of accelerating climate chaos impacts. The investigation included reviews of official government planning documents and the work of the UNDP itself. The focus was on building disaster readiness by making communities self-reliant and self-sufficient in essentials like food, water, energy, etc. so that when supply chains fail, they'll be prepared. The series wrapped up with a list of suggested pilot projects for the UNDP. I'm certainly looking forward to see which project(s) the UNDP chooses! |  |
Masters of Neoliberalism, Capital Accumulation, and Globalization Meet
Once again the masters of neoliberalism, capital accumulation, and globalization meet to maintain business as usual. This year they’ll focus on 1) co-opting climate chaos; and, 2) quelling resistance from the baking/drowning/burning/starving peasantry.
How Non-Native Plants Are Contributing to a Global Insect Decline
Life on earth is 3.8 billion years old. Homo sapiens has only been around 200,000 years. A small fraction of that has seen non-native plants spread, yet look at the impact. We must cease the destruction emanating from our anthropocentrism. We must become as students before our teacher Nature.
Industrial food for profit = highly vulnerable food production system
Industrial food for profit has resulted in a highly vulnerable food production system. Now with climate chaos upon us, we must diversify our food crops. No more monocultures!
Reclaiming Attention & Focus
Attention and focus are essential for understanding anything. Are you feeling distracted? Struggling to understand something? This book reports on the latest research findings about how technology is harming these essential human faculties. Interview with the author of “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention–And How to Think Deeply Again” Interview starts in the second hour of the show.
The Insanity of War and Capitalism Against a Backdrop of Collapsing Life Support Systems
This is sick. That sixty percent of our tax dollars go to the military industrial complex and investors make money off of it. Meanwhile the Earth systems that support life are in freefall. How much longer are people going to put up with this insanity?