Green Junction: Carbon footprints by Julie Peller Ph.D.

Leaders from countries with the largest carbon footprints recently met to discuss last November’s climate goals in Glasgow. An overall conclusion was that the necessary actions to reduce carbon emissions and slow climate change are not being implemented fast enough. As an example, the world used 9% more coal in 2021 than in 2020. While we look […]

Green Junction: The Quality of Water by Julie Peller Ph.D.

The quality of surface waters in Indiana is poor according to a recent analysis of surface waters across the country. Although some improvements have been made over the past years in reducing industrial and sewage discharges, there are deficiencies and continued efforts to weaken the state’s environmental laws. The outcome is an extensive amount of […]

Technology is not the big bad wolf at the door of humanity

The word’s etymology, Technology, leads back to the Greek ‘techne’, derived from technique and technics. Aristotle observed that “Every techne and every inquiry, and similarly every praxis and pursuit, is believed to aim at some good” ~ Think Eudaimonia technology is found in every societal revolution, agricultural, industrial, and now the autonomous process. Technology makes […]

Green Junction: Look around the house what do so many items have in common? By Julie Peller Ph.D.

What do curtains, carpets, furniture fabrics, insulation, and certain plastics often have in common? Flame retardants; are chemical additives that have been incorporated into many common goods and often in response to state and federal flammability requirements. As the name implies, these chemical compounds are added to reduce the flammability of materials or slow the […]

A Great Article by Daniel P Horan

As a “baby boomer’ I found this article to be inspiring and hopeful. “Gen Z does not need our patronizing admiration, but our sincere respect and the opportunity to lead us, teach us and show us older folks what we are missing and where we need to go.” https://ncronline.org/news/opinion/why-young-adults-generation-z-give-me-real-hope… via @NCRonline ncronline.org Why young adults […]

Green Junction: God’s gift of Creation by Julie Peller

For the protection of the earth, God’s gift of Creation, it is beneficial to devote time in our busy lives to take in nature’s beauty in a way that rouses feelings of profound gratitude. How much time do most people spend connecting with the natural world and how does this compare to time spent doing […]

Green Junction: Katharine Hayhoe educates us by Julie Peller Ph.D.

Katharine Hayhoe continues to be an educated, spiritual and effective communicator of climate change information. She is an atmospheric scientist and is currently the chief scientist for the Nature Conservancy. For many years, she has produced a series of videos under the title “Global Weirding,” available on YouTube. The videos help to explain different climate […]

Green Junction: Lent and Ecology by Julie Peller Ph.D.

During the Lenten season, one long-standing Christian tradition is abstaining from eating meat on Fridays. This is a means of honoring Jesus, who sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday. Many people have given up meat entirely in their lives; for some, the reason is due to the way farm animals are now mostly […]

Green Junction: The Earth Now Cries Out by Julie Peller Ph.D.

In the Laudato Si’ Pope Francis wrote “[The earth] now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.” How willing are people to make sacrifices to heal the earth and ensure a healthy planet for our youth […]