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Yes! Magazine: Powerful Ideas, Practical Actions
Yes! Magazine is a non-profit publication that tackles ideals, social problems, and environmental issues through practical action. It explores ways we can live in a world promoting harmony in nature, business, politics, and social action in our everyday lives.
Working Relationships are Complex: Yes! Magazine
It may seem like no one sees your point of view and that it's impossible to think about "self reliance" beyond individual terms. But as long as we agree on the practical things, such as the importance of growing food, staying prepared, saving money, and living well, then the more abstract things that normally divide us (religion, politics, ideals) become secondary. This article describes the writer's relationship with a business partner with whom she rarely agreed, but with whom she had a solid relationship with nonetheless.
What Happens When the Gov't Can't Afford Us? - May 27, 2010
Governments have obligations to their citizens. But how much obligation is too much? As governments in Europe show us now, the obligations the US government has to US citizens is similar, and neither model is sustainable. I thought about this when reading about how much personal income in the US....
Smart Urban Farming - Use the Space Wisely: Switchboard
Urban farming is great, but it needs to be done right. This article argues for a sensible use of urban spaces that doesn't displace normal city activities. Urban farms should promote commerce and community participation.
Cutting Through All the Green Tape - May 14, 2010
Green. Eco-friendly. Do these words make you cringe? A few months ago I stumbled across a certain website (not going to name names) that recruits members who undertake “challenges” to live a “greener life.” These “challenges” include tasks such as: use a cloth instead of a paper towel; don’t buy....
Homeowner's Associations Stymie Resident's Solar Aspirations - USA Today
People who live in communities run by homeowner's associations often have problems when they move to install solar panels, or even put up a clothesline. Concerned with protecting property values, homeowner's associations step in and deny the changes. Sometimes this results in a legal battle; some residents have been able to work with the associations to bring their codes up to date. Some states' governments have stepped in to limit the power of homeowner's associations. They also ought to consider the fact that adding solar panels to a house often increases the house's value!
Corporations Make Good by Gardening - Star Bulletin
Corporations such as Google, Pepsico, Yahoo, and Kohl's are taking a cue from the gardening craze to use their property to plant their own organic gardens. The gardens are generally intended to provide another benefit to employees who are able to participate in the gardening and to enjoy the free produce. However, some corporate gardens suffer from a lack of participation. Do gardens belong in corporate offices?
Making a Deal With the Devil - May 06, 2010
The Greeks made a deal with the devil. And so have we. The deal was this. They were willing to live more comfortably than the economy would support. They were willing to borrow to do so. They would worry about the consequences later, not now, and not worry about the riches being piled up to the....
Greece Accepts Giant Bailout Package - May 03, 2010
Greece has accepted an austerity package from the EU and the International Monetary Fund. Greece gets a bailout of about 133 billion dollars, and has to do certain things as part of this agreement, including: Cutting wages to government workers Cutting benefits such as vacation time and pension....
Community Church Group Pools Resources for Solar Power - Brighterenergy.org
Members of a church in Maryland are pooling their resources to install a 23-kilowatt solar panel system on the roof of the church. By sharing the cost, the switch to solar is a viable model for the members who want to enjoy the benefits of renewable energy. This church is the first known co-op model for solar power and may be a good option for other community groups.
Making Urban Farming Legal - Rodale Institute
This must-read article from the Rodale Institute addresses the concerns of cities who want to practice urban agriculture. Urban farming often requires lifting bans on livestock, testing the soil, determining the safety of rooftop gardens, and so on. This article covers these different considerations and also exemplifies cities like New York and Seattle which are taking steps to make urban agriculture permissible for their residents.
Urban Farming in Seattle: Beyond the Backyard - Seattlepi.com
Urban farmers and gardeners in Seattle are working on ways to make it easier for people to grow food, and are working with the city to open up areas to use for urban agriculture. Seattleites are also considering ways to incorporate urban farming into the local economy, such as easing restrictions on selling one's backyard produce. If Seattle gains momentum with its urban agricultural hopes, they could become a great model for other cities looking for better food security and stability.
Modern Day Victory Gardens Sprout in Missoula, MT - Montana Kaimin
In Montana, a student organization called "1000 New Gardens" helps people jump start their backyard gardens. Student volunteers come in and dig up a garden bed and share ideas and knowledge with residents who want a garden, but who aren't sure where to start. It's a good example of how people coming together and helping each other can encourage self reliance in others.
Is Individual Self Reliance a Myth? - Apr 15, 2010
by Lauren Recently someone asked me, "Do you ever talk about invididual self reliance versus community self reliance?" Well, we do write about self reliance on the individual level. Growing plants, composting, saving money, survival gardening, and so on are personal decisions. Moving toward self....
Rebuilding Greensburg, KS: A Wind-Wind Situation - Apr 12, 2010
by Jim Ingham In 2007 a tornado swept through the town of Greensburg Kansas, killing 11 people and destroying an astounding 90% of the town's structures. I remember reading about this in the news, and when he townspeople said they would rebuild it seemed like a very tall order indeed. But they did....
