| Reforestation in Los Naranjos, Ecuador |  | |
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Greening the Ghetto: Majora Carter
| TBB students watch this TED Talk while considering the question "What is environmental justice?" In an emotionally charged talk, MacArthur-winning activist Majora Carter details her fight for environmental justice in the South Bronx - and shows how minority neighborhoods suffer most from flawed urban policy.
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Thoughts on Environmental Responsibility
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"Our seminars have been interesting so far. We're studying the environment and natural resources, so we're looking at what it means to conserve the environment and be environmentally responsible, all while considering basic human needs and energy needs...Personally, it's been really challenging... Being environmentally responsible for me usually means giving up a lot of creature comforts. Or at least feeling guilty for the things I have that are environmentally destructive. I dunno. It's something I am struggling with, and I'm interested to see how my mind changes over the next three weeks. I'm realizing that I am stubborn on this issue and I don't want to change my mind. So I'm praying that I'll be open to new ideas and ways of living..."
~ TBB Student Hannah Nelson
(Excerpt from Hanna's blog Hardcore Jungle Trekkers)
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Translations October 2010
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Greetings!
Our current student group is in Ecuador, nearing the end of their reforestation project and looking forward to trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Next month you can expect to see their first round of media projects - including some exciting videos! However, many students are already sharing insightful news about their experiences so far...
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Plantains, Politics and La Playa!
by TBB Student Mary Bryan
"...We live in a raised wooden house; underneath there are chickens (though there are chickens EVERYWHERE in Los Naranjos-like squirrels. In the trees, in the house, leaping out at you in the bathroom, everywhere) and laundry is always hanging in the yard area... The house has the bare essentials, but not much else. No running water, no appliances, no oven etc. It is pretty refreshing though, to not be cluttered with stuff. It's a lifestyle very different from what I'm used to, but I don't have too many complaints. The bugs falling from the ceiling and the holes in the floor and the bats swooping around all just add to the charm, but maybe that's just because I'm in the 'honeymoon' phase of culture shock."
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 Gap Year Fairs
Starting in November
We're gearing up for another great series of Gap Year Fairs around the United States! USA Gap Year Fairs is a national circuit of events that brings together reputable Gap Year organizations, interested students and parents, high school college counselors, and the Gap Year experts. These events are designed to provide students with a broad exposure of Gap Year Programs and the opportunity for face to face conversations with the people who work in the field. For students and parents interested in Gap Year, these fairs are an opportunity to connect with reputable organizations that focus on education, service and personal growth.
Find a Gap Year Fair near you!
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 Seeking New Board Members
Thinking Beyond Borders is supported by a dedicated and talented Board of Directors and Advisory Council. Through many diverse contributions, including time, knowledge, personal connections, special skills, staff support, ideas, and perspectives the Board of Directors determines the mission, vision and values of the organization while ensuring the legal, ethical, and fiduciary integrity. The Advisory Council provides as needed consultation and resources to address specific priorities and initiatives identified by TBB and its Board of Directors. TBB encourages creative forms of contributing and sees them as essential to its health and growth. Please contact Paul Kuenstner for more information about joining our team!
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Book Review: Cradle to Cradleby William McDonough
& Michael Braungart
For decades, the modern environmental movement has been built upon the assumption that salvation will come through doing "less bad". Policy at all levels focuses primarily upon limiting pollution, reducing waste, and reducing resource use (though this last one is pretty rare). William McDonough and Michael Braungart's Cradle to Cradle presents a radical shift in thinking: don't regulate toward "less bad", design toward "more good". Their primary assumption is that designing the "bad" out of the production and consumption process in the beginning is more environmentally sustainable and more efficient than trying to clean up the mess afterward. Throughout the book they provide a fundamental set of design principles to be utilized both in designing products and production processes toward greater sustainability and higher quality. Yep, that's right. They believe quality does not have to be sacrificed in the face of sustainability. For example, they urge the design of buildings to be far more sustainable through energy efficiency, natural water grey water treatment systems, and renewable building supplies. Some factories that were once highly polluting of local rivers because they used the waters during production processes are now emitting water that is cleaner than the river. They also provide examples of products designed to be recaptured and fully recycled at the end of their use. These aren't just soda bottles; they are cars and computers filled with precious metals and toxic materials that are currently heading to landfills. Perhaps the biggest selling point of their arguments is that companies can save money by undergoing all of these processes toward sustainability, sometimes as much as 25% on production costs.
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Thank you for following along with our students and for caring about these issues that are so important to all of us!
Best,
Sandy Pendoley
Co-Founder
Thinking Beyond Borders
www.thinkingbeyondborders.org
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