Growing into Our Earthly Future

Are you in search of strength and comfort for the difficult historical moment we're facing? Our staff and fellows have curated a selection of pieces from the archives that help ground us during hard times, and give us the inspiration and connection we need to continue caring for each other and for the Earth. We hope these reflections will be a balm for you, as well.

View our new Curation here.

Shifting Systems

"Just imagine a system that boosts renewable energy through the widespread use of solar and wind energy to power all aspects of farm operations. Imagine cities that produce a large percentage of their food, cutting down the length of the food chain while shifting the local land and farming operations back to producing food for local consumption. Imagine a shift to production crops such as fruits and vegetables, including heirloom varieties that the agricultural industry has made generally unavailable."
(1,710 words)

by Orrin Williams
Food Systems Coordinator 
University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science Systems in Chicago

Earth Day During a Crisis:
Aldo Leopold's Words Resonate

"We will, in time, reemerge from our self-isolating home caves, back into the world of green and growing things, of critters that call to us, and of litter that always needs picking up. We will find an Earth that needs to be reimagined and restored with coronavirus lessons learned. Perhaps the musings of this Midwestern ecological sage can help us again to come together to take on this generation’s great shared cause."
(790 words)

by Curt Meine
Senior Fellow, Center for Humans and Nature

Read the op-ed in the Chicago Tribune here.