Acting at the Roots
by Elizabeth R. Sawin
— 10 July, 2007 —
One lesson I take from climate change is the admonition to search out and act at the root causes of complex problems.
Here’s an example:
In the political maneuvering leading up to the release of the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, the Bush administration was lobbying for the report to include an [...]
Economics for Four-Year-Olds
by Elizabeth Sawin
— March 31, 2002 —
My four-year-old daughter spent the afternoon at a local science museum the other day, exploring an exhibit on biodiversity. She returned home full of determination, found pencil and paper, and composed a letter. Now she distributes copies to friends and strangers alike. The letter begins:
From Jenna to the world.
Please stop making all this pollution. [...]
The New Forest Plan – An Uncontrolled Experiment
By Donella Meadows
–July 8, 1993–
The press conference announcing the government’s plan for the National Forests of the Pacific Northwest was a classic example of the art of David Gergen, Clinton’s new image-maker. Seven high officials, including the vice president and the president, spoke for 45 minutes. No one explained the plan. They did explain, over and over, what a wonderful [...]
OK Kids, Time to Turn to your Snickers Lesson
By Donella Meadows
–October 1, 1992–
The scariest article I have read in a long time appeared in the September 21 issue of The Nation. It was written by Jonathan Kozol, and it is about the plan George Bush, Lamar Alexander, and Chris Whittle are hatching for America’s schools.
You know who George Bush is. Lamar Alexander is his Secretary of Education. Chris [...]
The Draft Issue and the Character Issue
By Donella Meadows
–September 17, 1992–
Which of the following experiences most qualifies a person to be a national leader?
(a). Fought honorably in World War II.
(b). Got his influential daddy to find him a place in the national guard, so he could stay out of the Vietnam War.
(c). Didn’t have an influential daddy, but pulled every string to stay in graduate school [...]
