Category: Politics

As a long-time member of the green building community here in Maryland, I am joyous to read articles like this one in today’s Baltimore Sun. Timothy Wheeler writes about proposed legislation that would require state buildings to be energy- and resource-efficient. While recent years have been challenging at best for green building legislation, the support of Governor O’Malley will help tremendously. Even though the state is facing fiscal woes, the long-term financial savings of energy efficiency alone should be attractive to most lawmakers. I recently participated in the Maryland Green Building Task Force, which recommended policy initiatives to encourage private green development. The Green Building Council is responsible for policy related to state-owned properties.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between 2 wolves.” One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed”.

Community Conferencing relies on the brilliantly simple idea of shifting the focus from who did what and how can they be punished, to who has been affected and how to repair the harm. When people come together in a conference, they don’t even have to agree on what happened. The conversation draws out ways to work together to make it better. The facilitator is something of a magician, subtly guiding the process and creating the setting for the group’s compassion and wisdom to blossom.

I love the stories. Continued

Simplicity Matters is a forum that organizes meetings all over the MD, DC area that encourages individuals to make informed choices on leading a more sustainable future. Started in January 2002 some of their discussion titles have been Global Warming: Change CO2 Use , Choices for Sustainable Living, Exploring Deep Ecology , or topics of your own groups choosing. Find or create a group near you by visiting their webpage.

Baltimore Bioneers is the regional branch of the overarching Bioneers community, a “forum for connecting the environment, health, social justice, and spirit within a broad progressive framework.” Combining both the social justice and environmental movements, Baltimore Bioneers works to foster new opportunities for creating solutions for restoring the earth and healing communities. Along with other satellite locations throughout North America, Baltimore Bioneers hosts an annual conference that features local speakers, panels, and workshops, while also broadcasting the plenary talks of the Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, CA. Their website features history of the organization, information on the conference, and ways to get involved.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwkgbm-2P8k[/youtube]

Megaphone Project is a non-profit organization that “produces low-cost documentaries that amplify voices for social and economic justice in Maryland.” They specialize in making “short, inexpensive, issue-based productions for advocates to show to community members, decision makers, and opinion leaders as part of organized campaigns for change.” Their productions have “helped advocate for reform in the criminal justice system, public housing, predatory lending, real estate development, public transit, and day labor.”

“Reality Charity is the world’s first direct fundraising platform and philanthropy community. Organizations and individuals around the world may raise money for good causes, directly and instantly, by harnessing the power of the Internet to reach their social networks as well as other generous donors at home and across the globe.”