Paradigm Articles

3. Deep Ecology and Harmony with Nature

Basic respect and appreciation of and love for the natural environment

Deeper Eco-Spirituality

Comprehension and respect for biodiversity in stability of symbiosis

Comprehension and respect for ecosystems as fragile habitats

THE 15 EMPOWERING PARADIGMS:

1. Total Human Development and Harmony Through Synergism

2. Holistic Health Care and Medicine

3. Deep Ecology and Harmony with Nature

4. Sense of History and Sense of Mission

5. Civics and Democratic Governance

6. Culture as Community Creativity

7. Light-Seeking and Light-Sharing Education

8. Gender Sensitivity, Equality & Harmony

9. Reconstructive/Restor-ative Justice

10. Associative Economics, Social Capital and Sustainable Development

11. Synergetic Leadership and Organizations

12. Appropriate/Adaptive Technology

13. Mutual Enrichment of Families and Friendships

14. Human Dignity and Human Harmony: Human Rights and Peace

15. Aesthetics Without Boundaries: 'Art from the Heart'

Why American Suburbs Aren't Green*

By Mariette DiChristina

Sidebar article from Popular Science magazine, January 1996

THEY MAY LOOK GREEN, with their manicured lawns and tree-lined streets -- and in fact suburbs were once considered a healthy alternative to grimy, crowded urban living. But over time, the American dream of owning a house in the 'burbs' has become an environmental nightmare.

"Suburbs are laid out so that you can't get to most places without a car," says Philip Langdon, who studied suburban developments in 18 states for his book, A Better Place to Live: Reshaping the American Suburb. Typical suburban zoning places houses at a distance from retail and commercial buildings-- making a car a necessity. With cars come air pollution; shopping districts with huge, paved parking areas; and houses fronted by big garages instead of congenial porches. Cars aren't cheap, either. According to the American Automobile Association, a typical suburban family has two vehicles, which together eat up about 25 percent of the household's after-tax income.

Suburbs use more developed land to house people than urban areas, because each family has a separate dwelling and yard. Most yard space is devoted to growing lawns that are inhospitable to native wildlife. And per acre, far more chemicals are applied to suburban lawns than to the nation's farmland.

Lastly, suburbs aren't ideal places for socializing. Although the majority of Americans are now suburbanites, "there is a lack of gathering places and community life," says Langdon. "Life is more satisfying when you can get together with people."

* The inclusion of this article in the holdings of the Lambat-Liwanag On-Line Library is an indication that we are strongly recommending this for perusal by serious students of the Empowering Paradigms. We have not been able to secure information as to whom and at what address we should write in order to request official permission for its inclusion. As soon as we receive such information, we shall seek the permission, and if such is officially denied, we are ready to remove this item in this collection, albeit reluctantly.

We can be reached via lambat.liwanag@yahoo.com.

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