For some time, the Cumberland Trail State Park and the Cumberland Trail Conference have been battling commercial rock harvesting along the trail, which is a state park. It seems the state did not acquire the mineral rights when acquring the property for the park (a very dumb idea if you ask me). But corporate interests have intepreted mineral rights as
right to remove the rock (mainly limestone), laying on the ground as well as under it
right to not restore what they tear up
At the very least, these companies should be required to rehab the area. Miles of the Cumberland Trail have been closed due to these companies operations in the state park. This really torks me, as most of the Cumberland Trail has been built by volunteers. I’ve even participated in building the trail, though not as frequently as I’d like.
The Tennessee Court of Appeals has reverse a lower court’s ruling in the first bright spot in a very bizarre saga.
In a surprise defense in federal court in Asheville, TVA admits it blankets Middle Tennessee with air pollution from its inadequately abated smoke stacks in Alabama and Kentucky. The landmark case was filed in federal court to seek relief from TVA pollution wafting across the Great Smoky Mountains into western North Carolina.
“I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use our natural resources, but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.”–Theodore Roosevelt
That has been the quote at the end of my personal email signature for over a year now. It pretty well sums up my philosophy of care for our planet. And while some blindly reject (and others blindly accept) anything and everything “green”, I take a more moderated approach.
But as right as Teddy was, we have a biblical command to care for the planet as well. And I’ve been very frustrated that many churches don’t mention this as they discuss biblical stewardship, much less practice it.
I think in caring for our world, the church has a critical role to play. People are largely apathetic about the environment because, well, they’re good people. They don’t dump toxins into the air or water or club baby seals. They reason their vehicle emissions aren’t their responsibility because, after all, they didn’t make the car or the gas. I believe the church can wake people up to the fact that their lifestyles and purchases affect others. Those others are our unborn and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Well I met John Voelz, a pastor at Westwinds Community Church in Jackson, MIchigan, at a Web 2.0 conference about a month ago. I added his feed to my Google Reader. And what should I read there than this post on the bring your own mug initiative at his church. They were throwing out 10 industrial sized garbage bags full of used paper coffee cups every Sunday. Now a standard tall kitchen bag is 13 gallons, so they were trashing at least 130 gals of paper coffee caps every Sunday. And starting today, zero. John, reading this was a great encouragement to me. Somebody does get it. You guys ROCK!
Yup. That’s right. I said it. If the theory of global warming is proven false, it could still have a positive effect on America, its people, its economy, and of course its environment. Bear with me here.
I’m not an apologist for either side of the global warming debate. It has become far too virulent and toxic (pardon the pun) for me to stomach. And I’m learning that being reasonable is sometimes labeled being radical. I’m ok with that. As a Christian, I’m supposed to be counter-cultural.
So here goes. I support a number of the activities that the global warming theorists recommend for grassroots involvement. But I don’t agree with others. How’s this for a list?
The Good
Becoming more energy efficient. How is this a bad thing? It lowers our utility bills AND reduces our dependence on foreign energy. How is NOT spewing tons of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and heavy metals into the air and water a bad thing?
Using smart, renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, non-impounded hydro, and co-generation. And how about ethanol made from switchgrass instead of corn? Switchgrass grows in places food crops won’t, so it won’t be raising food prices or causing worldwide food shortages.
Recycling. I know, we’ve all heard Penn and Teller spout off about recycling. But considering all angles, how exactly is it better for the environment to dig out new resources when people are throwing old ones away?
Reducing consumption. While our economists might not like this one, your wallet sure will.
The Bad
Carbon sequestration. Somehow, spending billions of dollars to capture carbon dioxide and inject it into the earth somewhere (where it’s probably going to seep out later anyway) does not sound like a good idea to me.
Dependence on Carbon Credits. These can be a good thing, except when you buy carbon credits to justify the way out, consumerist lifestyle you’re living. Here’s a great example, Al Gore.
And notice, I’m not asking our government to get involved at all. I’ve found that usually the government pretty much screws everything up. I’m talking about folks getting serious about their own lifestyles and habits. Making even small changes leads to bigger ones.
P.S. I had a great comment discussion on this about a month ago over at Serendipity, so go check it out. Then come back HERE and tell me what YOU think I missed!
I wanted to post this as a follow-up to my Watercooler Wednesday post a few weeks ago. If you’re interested in following culture and the arts, check out Watercooler Wednesdays over at Ethos.
As expected, I had a great time at the Nashville stop of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour over at Montgomery Bell Academy. There were some amazingly talented filmmakers featured covering some really cool athletes and adventure seekers. I thought I’d give a bit of a recap/review of some of the films that caught my attention. I’d encourage everyone to check out the world tour next year.
Badgered, Best Film on Mountain Environment
An animated film depicting a funny day in the life of badgers and birds and their resilience to human impact. Take 7 minutes from your break and watch it. You won’t regret it.
King Lines, Alpine Club of Canada Award for Best Film on Climbing
A young world-traveler/climber always challenging himself with new routes. Imagine trying to climb a route over and over again… sometimes hundreds of times, failing AND falling every time. Now imagine doing this all over the world. King Lines website
20 Seconds of Joy, Best Film on Mountain Sports
This was our feature film for the evening. 20 Seconds of Joy follows the life of Norway’s only professional female base jumper, Karina Hollekim. Define Base Jumping: jumping off of perfectly stable cliffs, bridges, buildings, etc. to experience flying. Somewhat akin to skydiving. Favorite quote: “If you can jump off a building, what else is there to fear?”
Trial & Error, People’s Choice Award for Radical Reels
Mountain biker builds and then learns to ride one of the most challenging courses ever. He compares out treatment of the environment life a hard mountain bike crash.
The official world tour preview for a full taste of the world tour experience.
I’ve attended this Nashville stop twice now and I’ve always been impressed at the quality of films presented. Thanks to Blue Ridge Mountain Sports for bringing this event to Nashville year after year.
I’ve decided to link this in with my friend Randy’s Watercooler Wednesday post. Check out the weekly roundtable on culture..
The films from the 2007 Banff Mountain Festival will be stopping in Nashville on Tuesday, March 25, 7pm at the historic Belcourt Theater Montgomery Bell Academy’s Pascall Theater. There are several other stops on the festival tour, so be sure to check out the schedule if you’re not in the Nashville area.
The Mountain Festival celebrates the mountain and outdoor adventure cultures through craft, book, and film festivals each fall in the Canadian Rockies town of Banff.
I attended the Nashville stop last year and I can honestly say it was WELL worth 4 hours of my time. I saw films on rock climbing, extreme mountain biking and kayaking, and touring Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, China, and India by bike.
Put this on your calendar. Tickets are $10 at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in Belle Meade after March 10 and are $12 at the door if there are any left.
UPDATE: Bryan goofed. Toby at the Belcourt pointed out that the festival will be at MBA’s Pascall Theater. Thanks to Toby! Support the Belcourt!
This series has brought to my attention the environmental travesty happening all around us. I’m not anti-capitalist, I know corporations are responding to a need that we as consumers have 100% control over. But for corporations to do this is just plain wrong. If this series has interested you, I’d suggest you check out KiloWattOurs.Org for a start on what YOU can do right now in your own home to stop this.
VBS.TV has released a couple of extras to Toxic West Virginia. First is Cookie Mountain, a funny (but not really) re-creation of a mountaintop removal site using confections. This is one part with language. You have been warned.
Yup. That’s right. I said it. If the theory of global warming is proven false, it could still have a positive effect on America, its people, its economy, and of course its environment. Bear with me here.
RSS Feed
