Comments on: Inventing in the Environmental Age

By: scartf

scartf — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:08:08 +0000

I feel worried that this ‘Environmental Age’ is being treated too much like a fad in our greater society and wasting might turn around become some sort of status symbol. I think Salpy is right in saying that it’s harder to change an already established system, especially when you ask people to make an effort and give up luxuries that they feel they’re entitled to.

By: salpy

salpy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:00:59 +0000

Infrastructure is definitely a huge concern at the moment. How do you built a better city when the city is already established and populated? We keep pushing the boundaries of Toronto further out only to take up prime farmland for immense townhouses in the suburbs. There’s a push to succeed and success tends to be embodied by the material goods you own that others can easily see and judge your worth by. What pressure would it take for everyone to abdicate from consumerism goals and instead focus on building a cohesive society?

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:00:40 +0000

The environmental age is definitely upon us. I know someone who runs an organic farm out in Freelton (near Hamilton) and they have seen a huge upswing in business in the last few years. I also know people who are building environmentally sustainable housing and making an effort to use public transit more. It will be interesting to see what happens with the current economic climate – will it make people more interested in recycling and using less? However, is it possible to create a sustainable society that is based on environmental concerns rather than capitalistic goals? How will our economy survive if there is less spending? I don’t know, I’m just asking.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:56:51 +0000

I like the idea of calling this the Environmental Age. I think it solidifies the focus that is needed for us to take these issues seriously!

Cool concept!

Rachel

By: Ben Oostdam

Ben Oostdam — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:23:10 +0000

well done, Zoon DAN ZEN !

more comments
here

For the record, the words “environment” and “pollution” were hardly used when I took dozens of geology and oceanography courses between
1957 and 1963.

Although I hardly invented the word “environment,” I am proud to have founded ESRA (Environmental Science Research Associated), a non-profit corporation, as early as 1967, one year before EPA was foisted on US by Pres.Nixon (who did a better job visiting China on us)

As to the Internet, I gladly yield to Al Gore, but personally consider IT one of the major inventions of ALL Ages.

Keep on your good work spreading the word “environment” even though
it has incurred some unpleasant connotations as the alleged opposite of development….which is not necessarily the case.

Warm regards to you, family, friends and associates!
Ben