Power plant emission standards, food and green advertising: three compelling issues that deservedly come with three compelling reads.
1. "New Limit Pending on Emissions"
Last Tuesday, the Obama administration finally unveiled limits on emissions from power plants after months of political obstacles. But considering existing coal plants are exempt, are they really that impactful?
2. "Can Reforming the Farm Bill Help Change U.S. Agriculture?"
http://e360.yale.edu/feature/can_reforming_the_farm_bill_help_change_us_agriculture/2508/
Everybody eats, but have you ever heard of the Farm Bill? Most haven’t, even though it plays an enormous role in shaping our food system, what food is available to you in restaurants and supermarkets, and therefore, what you eat. Our current system favors cheap, industrial food. Unfortunately, this has some serious environmental consequences and hidden costs that people don’t see. However, a lot of people are working to make our food system more sustainable. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown worked with Maine Senator Chellie Pingree in introducing the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act in Congress, which is mentioned in the article. To get a greater understanding of the U.S. food system, check this out.
3. "Individual responsibility versus collective action: An examination of the impact of environmental advertising"
A compelling read that calls into question the nature of green advertising. Is merely shifting our consumption to “green” products enough in the midst of the vast environmental problems we currently face? Green products are certainly a step in the right direction, but the underlying consumerism that pervades our culture will likely need to be addressed at some point as well.
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