A New Allotment System

A Model for Society




The Allotment Plot project is a great little model for any one or community to replicate.

Creativity- A Driving Force

Creativity A Driving Force for Sustainability... a fabric of life
Thank you Sabrina for inspiring work

Stitching together with common threads
patchwork multitude
the world tied, laid out
as a quilt
I lay upon

Sustainability = Creativity

I recently watched Elizabeth Gilbert's talk on Ted and man did it hit a chord and link similar themes between being a writer and a creator to someone seeking work in 'sustainability.' Why do we have to fight the current, step out so far to face such a fear-based wall when you say- I'm an artist, a writer or studying sustainability? Shouldn't creativity and sustainability be inherent, innate and valued within our social structures? These may just be as important any other pillars of society.

Art+Ecology
WANÅS Foundation




Recently took a field trip to the amazing Wanas Foundation. Along the woodland paths, weaving through a beautiful hardwood forest, one comes to view various installations speaking-telling of issues on energy, architecture, social structures, cultural norms, things that 'once were'... loved, celebrating love, celebrating life and death- in natural and manmade worlds. Utterly stimulating and inspiring.

A Sustainable Cup of Coffee

What is behind a cup of coffee?

It's getting cooler and a little more rainy these days, which seems to instigate an increase in my coffee consumption. And of which makes me feel a necessity to look closer at what an increase in my consumption might mean behind the scenes. What type of business am I supporting? Is the supply chain sustainable or depleting to some population of people and place in the world? And even more, what is the quality of coffee I am putting in my body?
It's easy for me not to think of these questions when I am in the moment of craving my vice, but making a point of it now, will hopefully tattoo the importance of asking myself these questions for next time.

Simple things to think about:
Am I bringing my own cup?
Or, if I forgot and have to use a to-go, can it be composted? And if your in Sweden where theres great recycling- I can recycle the plastic top and cup.
Is the coffee Fair Trade, Organic, Ethically grown... 'eco-friendly'? Any of these improve the quality for yourself and the others that are part of the process.

Carbon Footprinting of a 'Cup of Coffee'
Quoted from Nature Next, Safety 1st
"Many activities leave a carbon footprint, but you can help shrink yours down.
The term “carbon footprint” is often used to talk about our impact on the planet, but many people are still a little confused about what it means. This article takes a brief look at the term and gives a few examples of things that can cause your footprint to grow larger. We also give some quick tips on how to reduce the size of your personal carbon footprint.

DEFINITION
A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide produced by a human or organization over a given period of time or for a given activity. It sounds simple enough, and may even have you thinking that your own carbon footprint must be small. After all, other than driving a car, what could you be doing that releases carbon dioxide? The answer is actually quite a lot!

Two examples of activities that cause a carbon footprint are buying a cup of coffee while you are out and making a cup of coffee at home. Let us reassure you, we do not expect anyone to stop drinking coffee! But this everyday drink can be used in two simple examples to show how a carbon footprint grows.

Going to the local coffee shop
Going to the local coffee shop involves getting a drink in a disposable cup. Seems harmless enough, but think about the energy that goes into getting that cup of coffee.
Carbon dioxide released during the drive to the shop.
Carbon dioxide released to make that disposable cup.
Carbon dioxide released transporting the cup and ingredients to the shop.
Carbon dioxide released making those ingredients into a delicious drink.

Before you wonder what sort of crazy coffee shop uses a fossil-fuel engine to make a cup of coffee, remember that the majority of electricity in the U.S. is produced by burning coal or other fossil fuels.
BOOM, your foot comes down hard onto the ground and there is your carbon footprint for the activity."

For the rest of this article go to- Carbon Footprinting

Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt and The Natural Step

In the last week I have been delighted and so lucky to hear Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt who is the founder of the NGO, The Natural Step and a visiting professor of my Master's program, Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability at Blekinge Institute of Technology lecture on how to approach sustainability and what exactly ' is' sustainable development.

If you are interested in Sustainability or not really sure what sustainability means, check out

My Fruit Getter

As we approach the fullness of fall, the fruit is becoming so abundant. Everyday I ride my bike and end up with a full basket of something or other... how rich and wonderful to be amongst all this free food.

Sweden Sustainability

I am still adjusting to the fact that I now live in Sweden. It is a wonderfully easy place to settle into... in the turn of autumn. Living by the Baltic Sea brings a nice crisp maritime breeze and the trees and plants seem to be initiating that fall shift. I am in utter delight strolling the streets and woodland trail systems, riding bike paths and neighborhoods to find so much fruit growing- overflowing, from people's yards and along by ways. There are apples, plums, pears, elderberries, blackberries, currants, grapes and rose-hips! I have been busy picking and trying to think ahead for some food procurement for this coming winter. I just finished an elderberry cordial and packed the freezer shelf with big ol blackberries. Next on my list is to get the low-down on where to find the chanterelle mushrooms?
My profession is gardening, so I notice a lot of detail in people's yards. These small Sweden yards are quit impressive...
It makes me wonder- Why Isn't Edible Gardening/Landscaping More Popular in the US? It is not hard or difficult- just societal norm that drives the difference between these sustainable yards to the ones I am more used to in the States.






Learn How to Build a Green Roof Like this One

And visit these sites to learn more about making Green Roofs:

The Living Roof; California Academy for Science
How To Build a LivingRoof
Building a Roof Garden

Sweden's Fall Fruit

Some of the plentiful fruit of Southern Sweden. What a nice introduction to a new home!

A Love for Barns

This is my Uncle Art's barn in Midwest Michigan, bathing in the last of the evening's light. He keeps a small garden to the north of it and rarely uses the barn for 'barn-farm things,' yet it still stands representing what it once was and the land spreads out around it remaining natural and also an imprint of some simple life once lived before. Such a pleasant scene.

The initial purpose of this little blog, was to commend the art of BARNS... I just have always loved the essence of what a barn is.
Yet, now I am studying sustainability/sustainable development and want to expand the scope of barns and farming to anything under the big umbrella of 'sustainability.' So, I invite input of any kind.