Working with Virginia Tech Department of Industrial Design and their Chair, Martha Sullivan, SustainFloyd sponsored a competition to design products or systems that could reduce waste. After an initial presentation of SustainFloyd’s challenge by Haden Polseno-Hensley, Mark Bolt, and Katy Morikawa the students, working in groups, started an intense process …
VA Tech Competition: Design for a Less Wasteful Future Read More »
As we struggle under the weight of current events: Covid-19, an unsteady economy, dramatic weather events and the reignited fight for racial equality, we think it vitally important to continue to draw attention to the overarching threats of climate change and environmental degradation which are clearly woven through all these issues.
SustainFloyd and the Center for Wind Energy at James Madison University (JMU) are partnering to present an informational meeting on small wind energy opportunities in Floyd County. Small wind or Distributed wind can be defined as systems for homes, schools, farms and businesses that may range from 1 KW to …
Environmental writer Chris Bolgiano will present revolutionary new evidence about how—and how much—carbon is pulled out of the air and stored by forests to help prevent climate change, when she speaks Wednesday evening, November 1st at SustainFloyd’s Dine for a Cause. The event at the Floyd EcoVillage will begin at …
Dine for a Cause: Can Forests Save the Planet? with Chris Bolgiano, Environmental Writer Read More »
Good news! Glass recycling comes to the Greater Roanoke Valley during the week of April 17 through April 22nd. As part of its Earth Day activities, Hollins University, in conjunction with Students for Environmental Action, is sponsoring this recycling event. Their goal is to collect 2000 pounds of residential glass …
This seems like a pretty good starting point in facing Floyd County’s future. Do you see “rules” you disagree with or others with which you could both agree and contribute? Wendell Berry is a strong defender of family, rural communities, and traditional family farms. These underlying principles could be described …
Wendell Berry: 17 Rules for Sustainable Economies Read More »
I like the word. It conveys the sense of having enough but not in excess, an emphasis on need, not want. I heard the author, Juliet Schor, interviewed on NPR recently. I stopped what I was doing because this lady was making good sense and was saying things I’ve heard …
Following are excerpts from an article on the unique economic approach to sustainability underway in Floyd County. Read it all in the March-May issue of Appalachian Voice (page 9) or click on the link, then click again to enlarge the page and read the article. …“We hope to continue to …
Floyd: Economic Production vs Environmental Protection Read More »
“Peak” is a popular word these days—in particular when used before the word oil. But Peak Dirt? The concept refers to topsoil or, to be more specific, topsoil depletion. Earth, on average, is covered with about 3 feet of topsoil and this shallow skin of nutrient-rich matter sustains most of …
A genetically engineered pig recently approved for limited production in Canada makes urine and feces that contain up to 65 percent less phosphorous, officials have announced. That could be good news for lakes, rivers, and ocean deltas, where phosphorous from animal waste can play a role in causing algal blooms. …
Building Future-Pigs: Less Phosphorus, Fewer Dead Zones Read More »
If you think your morning cup of joe only has 12 ounces (35 centiliters) of water in it, you’re sorely mistaken—it has closer to 40 gallons (150 liters). Conservation scientists say it’s time consumers become aware of the quantity and source of water that goes into growing, manufacturing and shipping …
EARTH HOUR March 27: Symbol or Substance? Ker Than for National Geographic News Published March 26, 2010 For Earth Hour 2010, record-breaking millions of businesses, homes, and landmarks around the world will turn off their lights Saturday evening for the sake of the planet, conservationists say. Now in its fourth …