The Brothers Foley Develop a Sense of Humus
by Donella Meadows
— October 26, 2000 —
Awhile ago I wrote about Dr. Jonathan Foley, a climate researcher at the University of Wisconsin, who is so worried about global warming that he has reorganized his life so he and his family don’t contribute to it. No net carbon dioxide emissions. That means no burning gas, oil, or coal. Or, if there [...]
Hard Questions for the Candidates
by Donella Meadows
— October 19, 2000 —
Well, the “debates,” carefully controlled by the major political parties, are over. I guess it was too much to expect that hard or important questions would be asked. But the candidates are still on the road, where they might be queried by an unscripted citizen. Or by a reporter who believes that fitness to [...]
Scientists, Fluoride Loonies, and the Evidence
by Donella Meadows
— October 12, 2000 —
Back when I was a chemistry major, my professors told me in no uncertain terms that water fluoridation is a boon. It prevents millions of children from getting cavities. People who oppose it are hysterical know-nothings.
We budding chemists absorbed both the specific and the general lesson. Fluoride is good. Scientists know best.
At just that [...]
“Debating” All The Way From L To P
by Donella Meadows
— October 5, 2000 —
I wish everyone would stop calling them “debates.”
Even back when the League of Women Voters first televised confrontations between presidential candidates, they weren’t debates. At best they were stiff, unnatural political discussions. Now that the two major political parties run them, they are carefully controlled soundbite gotcha matches. Like most everything about our campaign [...]
Consumer Power Reforms Chicken Factories – But Not Enough
by Donella Meadows
— September 28, 2000 —
According to the rules of the World Trade Organization, governments cannot block the import of a product on the basis of how it is produced. So what if a rainforest has been cut down or a stream polluted or an animal tortured or workers paid pitiful wages? That’s the concern of the producing country, [...]
