Increasing demand for chemicals worldwide, depleting resources, consumer pressure, stricter legislation, and the rising cost of waste disposal are placing increasing pressure on chemical and related industries. For any organization to survive in the current arena of growing climate change laws and regulations, and increasing public influence, the…

Leaving the plains of North Dakota and entering the hills known as the Turtle Mountains, one becomes surrounded by a deciduous forest, spotted with deer stands, fishing holes, mosquito havens, and secret berry-picking spots. It is here that the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (TMBCI) reservation is found. Located on the TMBCI reservation,…

Many people would not consider schools among the most innovative institutions of modern societies. This perception is not entirely accurate, since education is innovating in many ways in order to meet the demands of the 21st century economies and societies. But teachers and schools cannot do it alone. They should be seen as actors and partners in…

The purposes of this activity are to help middle school students understand the carbon cycle and realize how human activities affect the carbon cycle. This activity consists of two parts. The first part of the activity focuses on the carbon cycle, especially before the Industrial Revolution, while the second part of the activity focuses on how…

In this article, I share the story of "The Positive Energy Quilts," a collective environmental adult education art project on Vancouver Island, British Columbia that challenged the building of a power plant. I illustrate how this project creatively, poignantly, and stealthily drew out knowledge, and visual-counter narratives, challenged…

Costa Rica has rich ecological resources and has been a steady political force in turbulent Central America. Most recently, it has become a battleground between pro- and anti-genetically modified organism (GMO) political forces. This case study examines the roles of U.S.-based cotton ("Gossypium hirsutum" L.) seed companies, anti-GMO…

Quality and sustainability are both socially constructed, ambiguous terms, but they have not been heretofore linked in the rural studies literature. The "quality turn" has received particular attention from researchers for its potential to organize linkages among various forces in agrofood systems, providing more income to producers by…

Discusses whether the industrial way of life can be maintained without exhausting resources, generating unmanageable amounts of waste, and poisoning the environment. Provides three examples of self-sustaining industrial process systems using the industrial ecosystem approach. Lists five references for further reading. (YP)

Sustainability is an evolving and often misused word in business. As the landscape changes in terms of how resources are evaluated, so does the context of sustainability. In the most general terms, Ben & Jerry's looks at sustainability from the perspective of the social and environmental resources. Improper use of the term has been called…

Highlights an international conference which examined issues and actions related to environmental problems. Includes recommendations focusing on: population, poverty, environment; urban environment; fresh waters; biological diversity; tropical forests; land resources; energy; nonfuel minerals; and on air, atmosphere, and climate. (JN)

Provides details of a strategy employed in Portland, Oregon that is responsible for increasing the recovery of building wastes from nearly none in 1989 to over 40% of the construction and demolition debris generated in the area in 1994. (DDR)

Contends that the events at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant mark the failure of technical reasoning and communication practices to master the problems of our age. (PD)

The experience of Thames Television in presenting an educational series during prime time is described. "The Botanic Man," a series on ecology, is a rating success. Several difficulties encountered in collaboration efforts and follow-up activities, including courses and workbook publications, are identified. (JMF)

Is California's Imperial Valley a watershed? If so, at what level and by what topographic logic? Is it a region? If so, at what level and by what geographic logic? Are its boundaries natural, political, or multivalent on different scales? In short, this essay looks at the special (re)production of environmental conditions within a cyborg world.…

Describes the Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program, the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) prime sponsor for ten northern Wisconsin counties. Primary occupations available to program participants are in wood products, paper industry, tool and die manufacturing, welding, meat cutting, and resorts and recreation. (MF)