Month: November 2024

Kitzmiller v. Dover: A Trial Reveals a Plan to Transform American Life

November 28, 2024

This entry begins my journey back through what’s motivated me to explore “The Mindful Ecological Citizen.” In 2004, Tammy Kitzmiller and 10 other parents filed a lawsuit against the Dover School District for passing an “intelligent design” policy that called the Theory of Evolution into question. Covering the story for a small paper, I came … More Kitzmiller v. Dover: A Trial Reveals a Plan to Transform American Life

Climate change is…

November 26, 2024

This is my first entry in the “Climate change is…” series. I’ve heard and spoken thousands of sentences that begin with those three words. What has followed? So many things. Today, I will share a few of them followed by brief musings. In the coming weeks and months, I will return and explore some or … More Climate change is…

Mindful Ecological Citizenship: The Next 404 Days

November 23, 2024

In the coming weeks and months, Peter Walks for Democracy will have an intentional focus. From this post through December 31, 2025, I will focus my efforts on creating a just and convivial world of mindful ecological citizens. I’ll share stories of my own and invite others to contribute. Through those stories, I will show how solidarity and conviviality matter. Along … More Mindful Ecological Citizenship: The Next 404 Days

A major step for solar power in Pennsylvania’s local governments

November 18, 2024

Tomorrow night, the State College Area School District will be the first of Centre County’s local governments to vote on whether we enter into a 15-year solar power purchase agreement (SPPA). As the project’s instigator, a member of the working group over its five years, and its first and last Chair, I am excited to … More A major step for solar power in Pennsylvania’s local governments

We have to get s*** done for the climate regardless of who is in the White House.

November 10, 2024

“A second Trump term is game over for the climate – really!” That’s what Michael Mann told The Guardian. “If we are going to avert ever more catastrophic climate change impacts, we need to limit warming below a degree and a half Celsius, a little less than three degrees Fahrenheit. Another four years of what … More We have to get s*** done for the climate regardless of who is in the White House.

Fifteen years of sustainable design for our schools

November 3, 2024

The State College Area School District has been pursuing building excellence for over 15 years. The first push for more sustainable design and construction came when the Board passed a resolution in 2008 committing the District to a minimum LEED Silver standard. Ever since, the District has incorporated sustainable design, energy, and procurement in its … More Fifteen years of sustainable design for our schools

If the last week was a college application essay, Harris would get in. Trump definitely wouldn’t.

November 2, 2024

Last week, my son completed his college application essay. He chose to write about what he learned about himself and about leadership by serving on two hiring committees at his school. He goes to a “democratic school fostering choice, voice, and diversity of thought to develop engaged citizens and inspired leaders.” The particulars of his … More If the last week was a college application essay, Harris would get in. Trump definitely wouldn’t.