Save Minnewaska State Park from Closure

Last Updated on Monday, 08 March 2010 12:24 Written by GHV Editorial Monday, 08 March 2010 12:24

For budget-cutting reasons Governor David Paterson’s has proposed closing Minnewaska State Park. The Shawangunk Ridge....the most scenic vista east of the Rockies. Stand up!!!! Be heard!!!

For more information and to join the cause please visit Save Minnewaska on Facebook.

See Times Herald-Record article: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100308/NEWS/3080330

What Global Warming?

Written by Shawn Dell Joyce Thursday, 25 February 2010 14:52

I’m writing this in the midst of yet another snow storm, with a few inches still piled up from the last one. Many people have taken this opportunity to wag their fingers and say “What global warming?!”

     Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Thomas Friedman coined the term “global weirding” last week to replace the misleading phrase “global warming.” While the earth has warmed a degree, and is projected to warm quicker than natural over the next century, most of us are not feeling very warm today.

     Our weather is indeed weird with massive snow in the South, and rain at the Winter Olympics in Canada. Australia is having a record 13-year drought, and Texas ended a  drought this winter with massive snow storms. As a matter of fact, Texas got snow this year before New York did.

     What does all this prove or disprove? Nothing. “Climate is what we expect and weather is what we get,” according to NASA. We have only been collecting data on weather for the past 100 years, and trends in climate are measured in thousands of years. A single weather event; like a hurricane, or a spell of unusual weather; like snow in Texas, may be unprecedented; but still within the “normal” range.

      What is actually happening to our climate is right in line with predicted climate change models; some parts of the earth are experiencing drought while flooding happens elsewhere simultaneously. Storms are more severe, summers are hotter, spring comes earlier, and polar ice is diminishing.

     Many old timers in my region of New York remember waist-high snow drifts and ice skating to school on frozen rivers. We haven’t seen a REAL severe winter in a while if you talk to those who actually lived through them. Some of us tourists (residents who haven’t lived here 20 years yet) quake in fear at the thought of a N’oreaster.

Climate change cannot be proven or disproven by unusual weather patterns.

     Whether one actually believes in human-driven climate change, or not, has become irrelevant. The truth is that we all have to eat, and breathe, and both things are becoming more difficult as our population swells and resources become tight. If you care about clean air, water, and food security, than we have enough common ground to rebuild our country with green energy and localized economies.

     We sorely need industry in our country, and unfortunately, most of it has been outsourced overseas. Renewable energy, energy efficiency, Cultural Tourism, and other similar industries are the only ones that can’t be completely outsourced because they are place-based. You can’t wrap up an apartment building and send it to China for weatherization. That is something that has to be done here, by a trained local person.

     Friedman writes; “I suspect China is quietly laughing at us right now. And Iran, Russia, Venezuela and the whole OPEC gang are high-fiving each other. Nothing better serves their interests than to see Americans becoming confused about climate change, and, therefore, less inclined to move toward clean-tech and, therefore, more certain to remain addicted to oil.”

      Let’s stop debating each other and actually do something for a change. Let’s get America back on her feet and into the green millennium so that our kids and grandkids stand a chance. Support renewable energy, and move our country away from imported oil. Create jobs here by supporting small local businesses and farms.

            Shawn Dell Joyce is an award-winning columnist and founder of the Wallkill River School in Orange County, N.Y. You can contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To find out more about Shawn Dell Joyce and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

No Impact Challenge

Written by Shawn Dell Joyce

     An unexpected side effect of this year’s recession-ridden holiday season is that people have discovered that indeed it is more fun to make social connections than to buy new stuff. Americans have been on a consumer high for so long that we have lost touch with many of the simple (and free) pleasures in life.

     If you are totting up a list of New Year’s resolutions that include things like; “Losing weight, being healthier, spending more time with family, and reconnecting with friends,” then why not satisfy the whole list at once by joining thousands of other Americans in taking the “No Impact Challenge.” (noimpactproject.org)

     This challenge is a week on a low carbon diet that makes you reassess how you spend your time and money, and consider what’s really important in your life. The challenge is based on No Impact Man Colin Beavan’s year-long experience of living lightly in New York City with his small family and leaving no environmental impact. Three months into the experiment, the Beavan’s stopped consuming new goods (except local food), and discovered that kicking the shopping habit, saved them not only money, but opened up time to spend with family and friends, and more space in the house.

     Could you avoid buying anything new (besides local produce) for one week? The No Impact Challenge asks you to start by stopping shopping for new things. Instead, repair broken things, make something yourself, or find used items at garage sales, Freecycle.com or Craig’s List. With the time you save by not shopping, host a clothing swap party, or play date with your family.

Beavan and his family set out on a one year adventure to reduce their impact on the planet. Try their experiment for a week and see how many of your New Year’s Resolutions it resolves

     When Beavan began his experiment he stockpiled his family’s trash for a week to figure out what disposable items they could stop consuming and throwing away without sacrificing their happiness or comfort. He sorted the garbage into categories; disposables used less than ten minutes, and more than ten minutes, and things that they could live without. He equipped each family member with their own reusable drinking cup, containers, utensils, cloth napkins, and reusable bags. After giving up all disposable products, their level of happiness and satisfaction actually increased.

      We drivers spend an average of 1,000 hours annually behind the wheel. What would you do with all that extra time if you found other transportation? Half the trips we take in cars are less than 2 miles away and could be done on bicycle, roller skates, or foot with the side effect of improving our health and reducing our waistlines. Look for ways to incorporate public transportation into your day, or share a ride and the expense of gas.

      “A big part of the No Impact project was to eat only local, seasonal, unpackaged food. That meant, basically, lots of fresh vegetables. Michelle and I both lost a lot of weight. None of the farmers I talk to at the farmers’ market try to jam their food with salt, fat or sugar to get my little Isabella addicted,” from Beavan’s Mo Impact Man blog.

      Eating local requires more thought and planning than buying prepackaged foods in the supermarket. Find a local farm that retails directly in your area at www.localharvest.org. If you eat lunch outside of the house, make it yourself in a reusable container. If you substitute things grown locally for imports on your shopping list, like apples for bananas, you keep money flowing in your local economy.

      The final part of No Impact Man’s Challenge involves volunteering for local nonprofits. “The final stage was to me the most important,” blogs Beavan.”The final stage was not about conservation. It was about innovation. And it was in this stage that I met new people and made the most friends. It was here that the people were most excited. It was not about doing less harm. It was about doing more good. It was less about limits and more about possibility.”

The Power of Giving

Last Updated on Friday, 25 December 2009 08:11 Written by GHV Editorial Friday, 25 December 2009 07:59

We have all heard the old saying that it is better to give than to receive, but recently, a new study proved scientifically that the real key to happiness is generous giving. In times of economic stress, it is even more important because giving actually builds your wealth, and the wealth of the local community.

People who give charitably are 43 percent more likely to say they are “very happy” than non-givers, while non-givers are three and a half times more likely than givers to report they are “not happy at all,” notes Arthur Brooks in his new book, "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth about Compassionate Conservatism."

Brooks also notes that several large studies have found that senior citizens who volunteer have a 40 percent lower probability of dying in a given year than people of the same age and health level.

In a surprising turn, Brooks proves that giving also increases personal and well as national prosperity. Brooks quotes a survey that controlled for education, age, race and all the other outside explanations for giving and income increases. The survey proved that a dollar donated to charity was associated with $4.35 in extra income for the giver. $3.75 of that was due to the dollar given to charity, and the multiplier effect it has in the local economy. At the national level, a 1 percent increase in national giving increases Gross Domestic Product by about $36 billion.

Ancient Greeks understood this concept well, and developed the cultural habit of tithing, or donating 10 percent of their income to charity. Charitable giving helps build strong local communities and families as well. Giving and volunteering promote bonds of trust among neighbors, and help to sustain numerous charities providing critical services in education, health, the arts, the environment and disaster relief.

The most beneficial giving is often done anonymously, and without any expectations by the giver. Anonymous giving increases your sense of personal well-being, self-esteem and perception of your own wealth. Those who give, tend to be more grateful for what they have, and satisfied with their personal wealth instead of seeking more.

Recent studies have proves that it is indeed better to give than to receive. Giving increases your personal wealth, health, sense of well-being and boosts your community as well.

Many of us lot our jobs and/or homes this year. In fact, one out of eight Americans is on unemployment benefits, and one in four children relies on food stamps for their next meal. If you are having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit because of reasons like these, it is especially important to give. Start by listing at least 25 things you are grateful for, from the food in your belly to the clothes on your back.

Then, take the time to write a personal, heart-felt note of thanks to someone who shared their time, inspiration or money with you when you needed it. Doing this one simple act reminds you of other’s generosity and recalls the feeling of gratitude you felt as the recipient.  You are primed and ready to try giving. Here’s a few suggestions:

---Slip money anonymously to someone who needs it. No strings should be attached, and no credit due the giver. Can’t find a person? Give it to your local food bank instead.

---Holiday workers often hear lots of complaints and little praise. Take time to point out good service to the manager of a store or restaurant. Write a letter praising a service worker (mail deliverer, doorman, building super, clerk, etc.)

---Volunteer your time with local nonprofit organizations. Two years of recession have gutted the budgets of most nonprofits. They could all use some extra help to get through the holidays and for the rest of the year.

---Practice random acts of kindness on a daily basis. Start by smiling at strangers, give up your seat on the bus, add a quarter to the expired parking meter, pay the toll of the guy behind you, never miss an opportunity to praise a child, or sit and listen to an elderly person.

Shawn Dell Joyce is an award-winning columnist and founder of the Wallkill River School in Orange County, N.Y. You can contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To find out more about Shawn Dell Joyce and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.