This past weekend, Lynne and I had the chance to visit some Wisconsin State Natural Areas south of Madison as part of a Creation Appreciation hike led by our friend Ryan. Ryan works as an ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and part of his role is conducting biotic inventories, or field surveys, for… Continue reading
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The money tree
“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” You probably remember hearing this as a kid, admonishing you not to waste money. I was thinking about that phrase today as I envision a potential world that puts a price on carbon. In some cases, we have already put a price on carbon in some countries and states and… Continue reading
Sustainability Challenge for May
In May, I challenge you to commit to at least one new habit that helps conserve water. To choose your commitment, think about the areas of your home. Here are some suggestions:Kitchen:-Opt for the dishwasher over hand washing. It may seem counterintuitive, but it turns out washing dishes by hand uses a lot Bathroom:Ex. Turn… Continue reading
What do you know?
“Those who have the privilege to know, have the duty to act.” -Albert Einstein What comes to mind when you hear this quote from Albert Einstein? What do you feel that you are privileged to know? Are you acting on that knowledge? Given the focus of this blog, I think climate change fits appropriately into… Continue reading
Ecological Examen
You may be familiar with the Examen which is a prayer practice that helps us reflect on our day and the ways in which God was present to us. The technique was created by St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises and continues to be an important of the Jesuit order and Christians everywhere.… Continue reading
Happy Earth Day 2021
I have to say that Earth Day was not something I paid much attention to up until a few years ago. I remember doing some school projects in middle school and high school related to Earth Day. I also recall some events on campus when I was a college student. It wasn’t something I prioritized… Continue reading
Using Climate Data Effectively
For those who keep up with climate change in the media, we consistently hear about the troubling data around global warming, biodiversity loss, etc. This certainly urges us on to continue the efforts to combat climate change. However, this scary data is often not that useful for folks who aren’t on the same page about… Continue reading
Time Capsules
Today I wrote a letter to myself to read in 30 days after I finish a leadership program. Even for just a short period, it’s interesting to consider what the world (and you) will be like when reading the letter later on. I think this is the attraction of time capsules – the idea of… Continue reading
Saint Laura Montoya
Recently I learned about Saint Laura Montoya Upegui, who lived from 1874-1949 and was canonized in 2013. Mother Laura Montoya lived and served in Colombia and as Pope Francis said in her canonization Mass, she was an “instrument of evangelization, first as a teacher and later as a spiritual mother of the indigenous in whom… Continue reading
Working in our world
Right now I’m listening to an audio book called The Big Short by Michael Lewis which follows numerous people intertwined in the 2008 financial crisis. It is a rather upsetting window into the workings of Wall Street and the mortgage bond industry in the early 2000s, especially knowing the devastating impacts it had across the… Continue reading