Innovate~Educate~Collaborate

Tag: eco-philosophy

  • Green Junction by Julie Peller Ph.D. “The wonders of spring are emerging”

    “The ultimate test of one’s conscience may be the willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard,”—Gaylord Nelson. The wonders of spring are emerging, but they are now unfortunately accompanied by the season of more visible filth and garbage. The primarily plastic refuse is present and visible along…

  • Green Junction: Do you think about Chemical Exposures? By Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Most people do not think much about their chemical exposures. We trust that industrial processes, air, and water quality are ensured safe by appropriate regulations. However, society has become more dependent on materials, devices, energy, and transportation, and as a result, we are exposed to more chemicals. What are the typical chemical exposures for people…

  • A conference worth attending

    The Conference is virtual and the opening keynote is Cardinal Cupich and the closing keynote will be Ilia Delio OSF and knowing Ilia I am sure we will see Teilhard weaved into the conversation. Laudato Si’ is very non denominational. When you look around you see many efforts from the Anglicans and Lutherans involved in…

  • Green Junction: Think Disruption for Change. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

    The tragedy of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 continues, but the implementation of the vaccinations offers hope for an end to the often deadly infection. Thankfully most people have chosen to care for one another and have modified their lifestyles by following health and safety guidelines; this still needs to continue for a while. Some of the…

  • Green Junction: Global Warming is Climate Change by Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Green Junction Unusual weather events have become more common and generally are a result of the earth’s changing climate. The science of climate change is incredibly complex with extensive consequences, yet many want to describe it or deny it in very simplistic ways. The term global warming is defined by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as…

  • Coal Ash and the water you drink by Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Coal ash constitutes one of the country’s major industrial waste products, according to the US EPA. Coal is a brownish-black or black sedimentary rock that took millions of years to form. Coal’s carbon and carbon-containing compounds burn well, which has made it a significant source of energy for society. The part of the coal that…

  • Green Junction: Heavy metal pollution is a problem by Julie Peller Ph.D

    Exposure to heavy metal pollution is a problem around the globe. Many heavy metals, such as lead, chromium, arsenic, and mercury, can lead to serious harm upon exposure, often in meager amounts. Heavy metals can be taken in the body through food, water, air, and commercial products, such as old paint, treated lumber, old pipes,…

  • Green Junction: We don’t hear much about nitrogen pollution by Julie Peller Ph.D.

    We do not hear much about nitrogen pollution, but it poses a serious global problem.  While nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere and extremely stable, human activities have converted nitrogen to reactive forms. The natural conversions of nitrogen occur by biological nitrogen fixation, biomass burning and lightning. Over 100 years ago, an…

  • You are the Church

    “Economic justice and equality are, in principle, akin to political justice and equality. To understand this is to understand how economic and political democracy involves parallel institutions.” ~ Mortimer J. Adler “This is our destiny, to do the best and the greatest that is now to be done.” ~Isaac Hecker And with these two thoughts/quotes in…

  • Green Junction: Ecosystems and integral ecology. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Green Junction What comes to your mind when you hear the word ECOSYSTEMS or ECOLOGY? The goal of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is “advancing ecological knowledge and awareness.” The institute is a nonprofit organization that studies disease ecology, freshwater, forests, and urban ecology. The Cary Institute defines ecology, in part, as “the scientific…