Concentration of CO2 in the Atmosphere

Sustainable XC Ski Areas in New England

Some New England cross country ski resorts are quickly becoming very sustainable. According to industry expert, Roger Lohr of XCSkiResorts.com, “There are about forty Nordic ski areas that employ snowmaking today and for more of the Nordic areas to invest, there is often the need for favorable financial and labor circumstances.” Below are a few […]

The Climate Crisis’ Effects on the Future of Skiing

With the onset of a warming climate, how likely is it that ski resorts and skiing itself might soon become things of the past?

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine

Last winter’s low-snow year and unseasonably warm temperatures across much of the American West meant a […]

Monadnock Food Co-op Announces Third Year of Farm Fund: Supporting Sustainable Local Food Production

Applications due February 1, 2019

The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund program, a partnership with the Cheshire County (NH) Conservation District, is now accepting applications from local farmers. Currently, in its third year, the fund has supported seven farms in our region.

This year, the Farm Fund will award up […]

DIY Re-usable Bags from Feed Bags

A homemade tote bag made by the author. Courtesy photo.

Jessie Haas

Tote bags are great. When you remember to bring them to the grocery store you feel so virtuous—and in Brattleboro, you’d better remember, because single-use plastic bags are now illegal.

But totes are also expensive, […]

Saffron Cookies

 

Image: www.cakesandmore.in

Saffron is an ancient culinary spice, derived from the flower of a fall blooming crocus (crocus sativus). It ranks as the most expensive spice in the world, often selling for over $20 per gram. It is commonly grown in western Asia, including Iran, but also in Spain and Italy. It […]

Bringing Light Into the World

Sprouted sunflower seeds. Image by David Fried.

David Fried

When we plant a seed, we are leaning into the future. Now that it’s winter, there are not a lot of seeds being planted. There is not a lot of green. The light that has that soft light green-yellow glow as it […]

Saffron and Solar Farms

Saffron crocuses blooming in a raised bed within a Peck Solar array in New Haven, VT. Image: A. Ghalehgolabbehbahani, UVM.

A Win-Win for the Environment and Agriculture

Margaret Skinner, Bruce L. Parker and Arash

Ghalehgolabbehbahani, who demonstrated that saffron could be profitably grown in Vermont, have teamed up with Peck Solar […]

Vermont Attorney General Continues Challenge to Federal Exemptions of Mercury Products

Compact Fluorescent light bulbs save lots of energy, but they are manufactured with small amounts of mercury. All Images from Wikipedia.

Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced that the State of Vermont recently filed its brief to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, continuing its challenge of a decision by the United States […]

The Making of a Philosopher Brain

Larry Plesent

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is You-er than You.” – Dr. Seuss (aka Theodore Geisel)

Real philosopher brains are rarer than hen’s teeth these days, and I for one do not consider this to be a healthy state of affairs. There is little […]

PrintReleaf Helps Local Businesses to Think Local and Act Global

Diagram showing the workflow of the PrintReleaf application. Courtesy image.

George Harvey

Forests are among the best resources we have for drawing down atmospheric carbon dioxide. And yet, despite their importance, we cut them down for a wide variety of purposes. Many of these put the carbon dioxide the forest trees had captured […]