WESCers,

Happy New Year!

SOME LIGHT HOLIDAY READING There is a debate raging in the environmental community about the future of the environmental movement. It was set off by an essay “The Death of Environmentalism” authored by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus of the Breakthrough Institute, in which they criticize the modern environmental movement and call for a new direction and focus, especially in the wake of this past presidential election. Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club who was interviewed for their essay has written his own critical response to their essay. Go to fcwc.org to find the essay, and you can link through the Breakthrough Institute’s website to Pope’s piece if you are interested in the counterargument. IF ANY OF YOU are inspired to write your own response to the essay, I would love to publish these on our website and to this listserve. Email me at riverliffey@earthlink.net

JANUARY 8 WESC has been invited to join the Rockland Astronomer’s Club for a star gazing event which will take place from 9 PM to midnight at the Bear Mountain Inn. For details, see our website.

WINTER CAMPING If any of you are interested in being outdoors in all seasons, there is a wonderful group based in NYC that organizes outings in the metropolitan area. They welcome newcomers to camping, and offer a range of activities. See their website campersgroup.org for information and schedules.

NEED INPUT: I have had a few responses from students interested in debating, but mostly as researchers. I have the contact info for two high school faculty that help organize debates at their schools. If any of you can send me names of faculty at your schools who are debate organizers, or potentially interested enviro science teachers, please forward the information to me. I am hoping to organize a debate or debates in February but need to coordinate with faculty.

Hope you are having a relaxing holiday!

Best, Heather