So I'm sitting on a rather large lump of volcanic rock in the North Atlantic ocean - Iceland - at the annual meeting of the Balaton Group. We've already had several days of (truly) mind-boggling presentations on topics related both to the global financial system, and the global food system, and more on that later. … Continue reading Food Futures: Sirens, Warning Lights, and All That
Sustainability
The science and philosophy of maintaining human and natural systems
Can a Glass of Orange Juice in Sweden be “Climate Smart”?
Sometimes you just wince. I’m complicit, of course. I bought the juice. I like the juice. And of course, I routinely wonder at the general sustainability of shipping orange juice (and a lot of other stuff) around the planet, using fossil fuels. It doesn’t seem quite right. There are a lot of things that “don’t … Continue reading Can a Glass of Orange Juice in Sweden be “Climate Smart”?
Recommended: “A Voyage Long and Strange”
As an American living permanently in another country (and having taken dual citizenship here in Sweden), the United States of America looks increasingly strange and wondrous as the years go by. My neighbors talk of a Swedish envy of Americans: "We all want to be Americans, don't we?" said my daughter's playmate's papa the other … Continue reading Recommended: “A Voyage Long and Strange”
Eco-House, Normal House
A Little Weblog Essay about Our New House, and its Various Environmental and Sustainable Features and Benefits This week my family moves into a new house that we have just finished building -- or rather, that the builders have just finished building, financed by the proceeds on the sale of our previous apartment (we sold … Continue reading Eco-House, Normal House
The Earthquake in Copenhagen: Reflections on CoP-15 and its Aftermath
After attending CoP-15 (as a UN Observer, on temporary assignment to the Division for Sustainable Development, though of course I write entirely in my individual capacity), talking to numerous delegates and observers and NGO activists during the event, and reading over a hundred articles on the process and the outcome, I have come to an … Continue reading The Earthquake in Copenhagen: Reflections on CoP-15 and its Aftermath
Whatever Works: Of Green New Deals, Marshall Plans, and Energy Revolutions in Copenhagen at CoP-15
A few months ago I received a telephone call from Tariq Banuri, head of the UN's Division for Sustainable Development. At the time, I was wandering around the building site where my wife and I are constructing an eco- and climate-friendly house, outside of Stockholm. "Can you talk now?" said Tariq. I sat myself down … Continue reading Whatever Works: Of Green New Deals, Marshall Plans, and Energy Revolutions in Copenhagen at CoP-15
“Changer pour Durer”: Change to Endure
"The French think differently," said nearly every one of us who was not actually French. Of course, we said this to each other in French, so perhaps we were thinking differently too. Last week (19-24 Sept 2009) I attended an inter-disciplinary colloquium at a castle in Normandy called Cerisy-la-Salle. The central massive stone structure (see … Continue reading “Changer pour Durer”: Change to Endure
A Year Without Coffee
I am sitting in my favorite cafe in Stockholm's south side, laptop out, sipping on a strong cafe latté ... for the first time in a year. It tastes wonderful. To those of you who love coffee, I can almost recommend taking a year-long fast, just to rediscover how wonderful this drink truly is. But … Continue reading A Year Without Coffee
Camping at Tällberg – Epilogue
Note: This is the final installment in a six-part series. You might want to read them in sequence. My tent is back in the closet. The great circus tent used for the Tällberg Forum's plenary sessions is undoubtedly on its way back home to Italy. The Tällberg Companion -- the little book with schedules, participant … Continue reading Camping at Tällberg – Epilogue
Camping at Tällberg – Episode 5: Cold Water Cooking
John Elkington is leading a very lively discussion on aid and entrepreneurism. "Does aid work?" says a young Kenyan entrepreneur, whose name I missed (he is a late addition to the program). His answer is a clear no, backing up, strengthening, a point made by Iqbal Quadir. Quadir asked Sweden directly -- because the Deputy … Continue reading Camping at Tällberg – Episode 5: Cold Water Cooking
Alan AtKisson 