Since an earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan and damaged two nuclear reactors, the world has been attempting to show support and Image via Flickr user karin.noso. condolences for a country that is very much in need.  It’s almost a month later, and the death tolls continue to rise while the full extent of the damage is just being realized.   Unfortunately, the news continues to get worse…. Recently, it was revealed that radiation from the nuclear plants had been leaking into the ocean (the leak has since been stopped), sparking fears of contaminated seafood and prompting the... (continue reading)

Cross-posted from Through a Green Lens. Over the past week, thousands of people in thirteen countries staged the world’s first art show visible from space. Coordinated by 350.org, the project included aerial installations from Los Angeles to Egypt to Iceland. Like October’s Global Work Party, this event highlighted our species’ vulnerability to climate change–and our ability to find solutions. DigitalGlobe, a Colorado-based aerial imaging company, photographed the formations with satellites 400 miles above the equator. The project ended November 27, just in time... (continue reading)

I spent the last week of October in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, hiking, photographing the rivers and foliage, and taking in the stunning landscapes. While the trip made my RYSE post a bit late, it also deepened my understanding of the value of pristine mountains, specifically the Appalachians. Because of their National Park status, the Smoky Mountains are safe from coal mining. However, as RYSE readers know, hundreds of mountains in Tennessee, West Viriginia, Virginia, and Kentucky have been literally blown up by mining companies in search of coal. If you study mountaintop removal... (continue reading)

Cross-posted from Gosztola Blog (http://open.salon.com/blog/kevin_gosztola) By Kevin Gosztola More than a hundred activists sit in front of the White House demanding the practice of mountaintop removal coal mining be abolished. by Kevin Gosztola Over a thousand Appalachian residents and activists participated in a rally and march in Washington, D.C. on Monday, September 27th. The action was the culmination of a multi-day convergence that had been put together by a coalition known as Appalachia Rising, which organized the activity to advance the movement to abolish mountaintop removal coal... (continue reading)

Once upon a time, Ann* and KP** were engaged. They couldn’t live without each other. Ann needed KP to be safe and feel a sense of security, and to discipline herself to maintain a sustainable and green household. On the other hand, KP would be nothing without Ann. KP needed Ann to carry out life targets and aims. Yet, word had it that Ann was not ready to commit to the relationship. In fact, Ann had not been fulfilling the sweet promises between them. At the same time, KP couldn’t wait forever. KP would leave Ann soon, or would eventually die of heartbreak. It had been long suspected that... (continue reading)