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Its promised land drying, Mormon Church works to save the Great Salt Lake
Due to overuse and climate change, the Great Salt Lake is drying and is estimated to disappear in about five years. In response to this, the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has started public conservation and water-saving efforts. This article describes these efforts and the role of the Great Salt Lake in the local environment and culture. -
The Intellectual Martian Society of “Stranger in a Strange Land” by Robert Heinlein
This chapter from the student-written book “Emerging Perspectives on Religion and Environmental Values in America” explores the environmental ethics and spirituality of the book Stranger in a Strange Land. Specifically, the author discusses the importance of water and the environmental impact of the book. Below is the first paragraph of the chapter to introduce the discussion.
"In 1961, the accomplished science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein shared his latest work with the world. In the fashion of a fairytale, Stranger in a Strange Land begins 'Once upon a time,' and goes on to describe the fantastic culture of Mars and its impact on human society. The timing of its publication in the early 1960s allowed for a short digestion period, so that it was ripe in the mind of the counterculture in the latter half of the decade. Themes of religious reform, free love, and a oneness with the cosmos permeate the book, and coincidentally rose to popularity during this time. The alignment of the novel with the counterculture cannot be understated: in 1967, the Freak Scene recorded a song entitled 'Grok!,' an homage to the word coined by Heinlein in Stranger in a Strange Land, and a year later the Byrds referenced water brotherhood in their song 'Triad.' The verb 'grok' even found its way into the vernacular of the counterculture (Blackmore, 1995). Messages about the sanctity of clean water and the positive potential of religion reached tens of millions, securing the legacy of Stranger in a Strange Land as one of the books which shaped religious and environmental values in the United States (Library of Congress, 2012)." -
The Spirit of the Rillito
This article explores the ideas of animism and new animism. Animism is the belief that all things, living and non-living, have a spiritual essence. The author connects this system of beliefs to their local river, the Rillito. -
Catholic Diocese of Columbus: Creation Care Guide
The Creation Care Team of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus has created a Creation Care Guide based on the teachings of Laudato Si’. This guide contains information on energy conservation and efficiency, purchasing and recycling, transportation, and water conservation. Additionally, they have a section on making Laudato Si’ more accessible to younger generations. The inspiration for this guide came from the Archdiocese of Atlanta who wrote a document titled, An Action Plan for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. -
Mid-Winter Stroll on a Pier
"A mid-winter stroll on a pier in beautiful Lake Erie. This lake is the most valued fishery in all of the Great Lakes. Keeping this lake clean is important for the human and non-human residents that depend on this water source. A resource that sustains all life." Taken by Gabriel Sanchez. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest. -
Lake Yojoa
"This is a photo of Lake Yojoa, Honduras. It is one of the biggest lakes in Honduras, but it has been shrinking. Because the lake is vital to the local economy, the municipal government has prohibited bathing and fishing to protect the lake from contamination." Taken by Cristian Vallecillo. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest. -
Ignite the Passion
"To be passionate about sustainability, one must align themselves in nature and ignite the passion. To live a life dedicated to sustainability means reigniting that flame is necessary to remind oneself of the reasons the effort." Taken by Kenedy Witherow. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest. -
Krka National Park
"Admire the peaceful charm of Krka National Park: a majestic waterfall draws attention, and a small cabin can be found away among dense trees. Here, travelers appreciate the peace of nature while finding shelter from the busy life of the city. This picture serves as a reminder of our responsibility to protect these havens for coming generations and is the epitome of sustainable peace." Taken by Balint Horompoli-Toth. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest. -
Dryness
"Dryness". Taken by Mohammed Ashraf. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest. -
Reusable Water Bottle
"A reusable water bottle, covered with natural imagery stickers, is placed on a picnic table outside on a college campus. The water bottle and the natural background reflect how sustainable practices emphasize doing what you can to preserve and connect with the natural world around you." Taken by Julia Dellapena. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest. -
El Niño caused the greatest ever mass extinction
This article describes new updated research that shows the weather event El Niño has led to the worst mass extinction. El Niño causes the ocean to become warmer all leading back to climate change. Marine ecosystems and terrestrials are suffering greatly because of volcanic eruptions occurring. Mass extinctions are very damaging and mess up multiple ecosystems causing more destructiveness than we realize.