Introduction
OSF is an organization focused on promoting a sustainable livelihood for human beings on our planet Earth. Our aim is first to provide an understanding of what environmental sustainability is, and why it is a good goal that humans will find they want to support. Here, you can find writings and links to information which helps to define what sustainability is. You can also find out about local efforts around the planet that are being undertaken for a more sustainable future.
You can also find ideas that individuals can immediately implement. We firmly believe that any action that OSF supports should not be in opposition to human nature (or what a person would naturally choose to do). What a person chooses to do is based on the values they hold. With a better understanding of environmental sustainability, this can provide a frame of reference that will help individuals to make important decisions.
If you have a writing to add or are involved in a local initiative, tell us about it. We want to promote real effective action and support existing organizations by publicizing their efforts. Here, you can find out about issues like: green buildings, wildlife protection, renewable energy and resources, recycling, population concerns, sustainable product design, organic food, and sustainable planning.
Writings
What is sustainability?
Author: John H. Wilde
1 page long
A Rational Goal of Sustainability
Author: John H. Wilde
2 pages long
The following nine essays are taken from ‘Where Are We Going, How Can We Change, an investigation into the motivations for human action as applicable to a sustainable future'.
'Environment'
Author: John H. Wilde
- makes clear the cultural separation of man-made and environments of mother-nature. Explains: the automobile environment, toxicity of the environment, effects of global warming, etc.
'Personal Action'
Author: John H. Wilde
- using the knowledge gained from the previous sections, encapsulates these in to likely changes that would not be outside the bounds of human nature and gives ten points of personal action that can be easily accommodated by any individual.
'The Role of Common-Sense'
Author: John H. Wilde
- defines and promotes the use of common-sense and maintains that it is undervalued as a method of making good choices due to the influence of mythology and faith in science.
'The Purpose of Education'
Author: John H. Wilde
- argues that anything can be taught and anything can be learned. Some insight into the American education system is offered and direction is provided for how a small change to curriculum could have a large effect.
'The Influence of Economics'
Author: John H. Wilde
- describes the necessity of the predatory nature and the value of fair dealing.
'The Role of Science'
Author: John H. Wilde
- describes the usefulness of real science as opposed to pseudo-science and faith in science.
'The Role of Religion'
Author: John H. Wilde
- describes the useful features of religion and those which have been proven unsuccessful for achieving success in the global market economy.
'The Rise of the Individual'
Author: John H. Wilde
- shows the advances made in the freedom of the individual and how this is applied to population growth and other factors of sustainability.
'The Human Condition'
Author: John H. Wilde
- describes basic desire and the most pervasive reasons for human action.
A Song That Goes on Singing: An Interview with Dr. Beatrice Bruteau
by Amy Edelstein and Ellen Daly
- Dr. Bruteau tells us we must become conscious participants in the unfolding direction of the evolutionary process.
Towards A Sustainable Architecture
by James Garrison
- a short essay by New York architect James Garrison indicating how the elements of architecture can be employed to control climatic conditions without high-energy mechanical means.
Initiatives
Join the Stop Global Warming Virtual March
There is no more important cause than the call for action to save the planet on which we live. The evidence is here. The time is now. Add your voice. By joining THE STOP GLOBAL WARMING VIRTUAL MARCH, we commit to each other that together, as our numbers grow, we will use our collective voices to demand that governments, corporations, and politicians take the steps necessary to stop global warming.
Fourth Annual Alt Wheels Transportation Festival, Boston, MA
Fri Sep 22 7am-7pm Free Festival at Boston City Hall Plaza
Sat Sep 23 10am-4pm Free Festival at Boston City Hall Plaza
Sun Sep 24 10am-4pm Paid Festival at Larz Anderson Auto Museum lawn, Brookline
Alt. Wheels Festival Page
Alt. Wheels Events Page
Exhibits will include working electric, solar, flex-fuel as well as the latest in human-powered transportation.
MA clean powered campuses
Initiative makes funding available for clean energy on Massachusetts college campuses.
Support the Cape Wind wind farm project backed by the Sierra Club
In the News
Why Environmentalism is Hot
With windmills, low-energy homes, new forms of recycling and fuel efficient cars, Americans are taking conservation into their own hands.
The Tesla Electric Car Unveiled
Silicon Valley racing ahead with electric cars
Check out the future of electric cars.
Greenest and meanest vehicles
A ranking of environmentally friendly and un-friendly vehicles currently on the market.
Rumsfeld sued for blocking wind power
City of Hull, MA is creating its own clean energy with wind power
The city of Hull, Massachusetts has taken the initiative to create its own electricity through wind power. Other municipalities and colleges are doing the same. Wind power is a good sustainable means for providing electricity and must be maximized to reduce global warming emissions.
MA Maritime Academy is providing its own clean energy with wind power
Links
Contact us by email if your organization has a link you would like listed with OSF.
Global Warming/Climate Change Awareness
Climate Crisis.net site to learn more about 'An Inconvenient Truth' featuring: Al Gore
Stop Global Warming.org join the stop global warming virtual march to demand governments, corporations, and politicians take the necessary steps to stop global warming
Transportation
Perils for Pedestrians great site for links to pedestrian, bicycle, and mass transit organizations
America Walks
Center for Livable Communities
Partnership for a Walkable America
Walkable Communities, Inc.
Critical Mass
One Less Car
General
The Berkana Institute
Philosophy
The Center for Naturalism
Architecture/Planning
Center for Livable Communities
Local Government Commission
The Congress for New Urbanism
Sierra Club
The Green Roundtable
Garrison Architects a New York firm with several examples of sustainable thought applied to design
Energy
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Alliance to Save Energy
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
American Solar Energy Society
American Wind Energy Association
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
National Wind Coordinating Committee
Solar Energy Industries Association
Sustainable Building Industry Council
The Boston Area Solar Energy Association
Boston Area Alternative Energy Supporters a meet-up group getting together once a month in the Boston area comprised of people who are supporting and implementing real alternative energy solutions
Danish Wind Industry Association Denmark is the world leader in supplying power through wind energy. Wind energy is a highly sustainable means for producing electricity and must be maximized to decrease CO-2 emissions causing global climate change.
Hull Wind.org Wind organization for the city of Hull, MA. Read the articles on their site to see how wind energy is being used to increase sustainability
The Center for Sustainable Energy
Renewable Energy Accesssite loaded with information on renewable energy, sign up for their free newsletter
Food
Sir Edward Howard learn about Sir Edward Howard whose 1940 book 'An Agricultural Testament' started the oganic farming and gardening revolution
Stockman Grass Farmer the grazing publication of North America. Learn about grassfed meat and milk production. (Cows like to eat grass not corn)
The Rodale Institute works with people worldwide to achieve a regenerative system that renews environmental and human health working with the philosophy: "Healthy Soil=Healthy Food=Healthy People"
eat wild provides comprehensive, accurate information about the benefits of raising animals on pasture and links consumers with supplies of all-natural grassfed products
Slow Food an international movement founded by Carlo Retrini in 1986 that recognizes that the enjoyment of wholesome food is essential to the pursuit of happiness. Slow Food promotes the appreciation and consumption of seasonal and local foods.
Wildlife Conservation
Sierra Club
Greenpeace International
Health
Center for Health and the Global Environment the mission of the center, which is part of the Harvard Medical School, is to help people understand that human health depends on the health of the environment and that we must do everything we can to protect it.
Reviews
If you would like to submit a review of a: book, film, or product related to an aspect of sustainability, check out submissions.
Books
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond reviewed by Thomas W. Clark
The Omnivore’s Dilemma, A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan reviewed by John H. Wilde
Movies
An Inconvenient Truth Director: Davis Guggenheim Featuring: Al Gore reviewed by John H. Wilde
Affiliations
The Berkana Institute
Contact us at info@org4sustainability.com if your organization would like to be affiliated with OSF.
Submissions
Writings:
To submit a writing or review related to an aspect of sustainability for consideration, email a .pdf or link to your writing. Writings should not be longer than what can be read in one sitting.
Contact us at submissions@org4sustainability.com
Featured Artist:
To submit visual art related to an aspect of sustainability for consideration as the featured artist, email 6 images in .jpg format, 72 dpi, not larger than 180x180 pixels.
Also, include a brief artist statement about your work.
Contact us at submissions@org4sustainability.com
Featured Artist
OSF features the work of a visual artist whose images relate to an aspect of sustainability.
The featured artist is Edua Wilde. Edua is a photographer based in Boston, MA.
Artist Statement:
The images presented here are from a series entitled ‘Sacrifice Zone'. Sacrifice zones are those places which every sedentary society establishes, normally somewhere in the outskirts and separate from the residential areas, as a repository for that which does not want to be seen. These areas are the dumping grounds and storage sites required for the techniques of industrialized civilization to function.
Visit www.eduawildephotography.com to see more of Edua’s work.
If you would like to be the featured artist, check out submissions.
