SarChasm

by Sarah at ProgressiveKid

Today I was lucky enough to have a lesson about sarcasm, and I’m not saying that at all sarcastically. Earlier in the day I confess that I might have emphasized my words differently. But I’ve since had an epiphany.

Because of our articles on artificial turf, among other things, on a ledge is linked to and cited in a number of turf-specific locations on the Internet, including the site of one well-known periodical with what I had believed to be (and may indeed be, with a few exceptions) a following of crunchy greenies and back-to-the-earth types. The link was part of a Q&A page featuring a question about the safety of using rubber tire planters.

Imagine my surprise a few weeks ago when the Q&A received a comment from a woman who succinctly and in no uncertain terms ravaged my article purely on the grounds that I am a fiction writer:

Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks

Climate of Apathy Among Older Adults

by Julie at ProgressiveKid

When it comes to climate change action, I’ve noticed a withering trend among my older relatives, friends, and acquaintances, the ones in their sixties and up. Amazing baby boomer activists and visionaries notwithstanding, generally speaking older folks are ignoring climate change. It’s not that they haven’t heard of global warming or that they don’t care about it. A few have even seen “An Inconvenient Truth” and expressed awareness and concern. It’s more that they are not responding to global warming with much conviction, if at all.

Hot and Bothered: Change for the Climate!

by Julie at ProgressiveKid

There is no shortage of nature loving in my extended family. Among us are hikers, bird watchers, gardeners, animal lovers, campers, and even a few eco-activists. When we travel, we often seek out parks and preserves or cabins on wild beaches, and we come back with a tedious number of photos of wildlife and nature scapes. So it is perplexing to me that many of them have failed to take basic steps to address climate change at home. I’ll admit, in fact, it is at times quite maddening, especially since I wrote a book on climate change, regularly blog about it, created an educational game on climate change, and make appearances to educate kids and parents on the subject.

The Climate Change Elephant

by Sarah at ProgressiveKid

We don’t know the degree of devastation that climate change will bring. But we know that it’s happening. And–guess what?–your kids know it’s happening too. You need to talk to your kids. Here’s why and here’s how.

Golden Statue

by Sarah at ProgressiveKid

My daughter, a budding thespian, occasionally enjoys putting on Oscar-caliber performances designed to persuade her audience (me) to conform to her point of view. When she does this, I make a point of awarding her with an imaginary Academy Award designed to match her level of imaginary drama with an appropriate level of imaginary glitter. When this year’s Academy Award show came up, I decided to take the opportunity to show her a few minutes of the spectacle so she could see what I’m talking about when I say, “And the Oscar goes to . . .” .