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Natural Awakenings Dallas -Fort Worth Metroplex Edition

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October 2012 Publisher Letter

How perfect it is that preparation of Natural Awakenings’ October issue on the environment coincides with the topic of Divine Creation, according to the first chapter of Genesis, in my weekly Bible Study class. Over the course of our study, we have been eloquently reminded that God created the Earth, placed His prized children here as the focus of His love and perfectly filled it with all that we need to exercise dominion (not domination), live abundantly, multiply and comfortably fulfill our intended purpose. My own inescapable conclusion is that creation informs evolution; they are not mutually exclusive. But no matter a person’s beliefs, we can all likely agree that this heavenly sphere we call home is a wonderful, perfectly integrated and amazing place.

Ironically, like its predecessor, “green,” even the crucial concept of sustainability is in danger of becoming just a feel-good buzzword. Rarely a day goes by now that I don’t hear the word used in conjunction with new building developments, farming, cooking, cafés, manufacturing and urban planning. If only such widespread sustainability were true! I hear similar chatter on broadcast news and the Internet, yet everyone seems to have their own definition. You have to wonder, just what exactly does that spokesperson or news release mean when it uses the terms sustainable, green or eco-friendly? Abusing the term gets us nowhere, so I went in search of trustworthy sources.

NASA holds that achieving sustainability will enable the Earth to continue supporting human life as we know it. The Environmental Protection Agency states that sustainability is based on the principle that everything we need for our survival and well-being depends directly or indirectly upon our natural environment. The United Nations’ definition includes the ability to fight poverty, advance social inclusion (including the status of women) and protect the environment.

This month, Natural Awakenings’ feature article addresses, “What We Want for Our Future,” taking a broad global view of actions flowing out of this year’s pivotal United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

We have also taken this opportunity to dig deeper into commitments to the state of Dallas Metroplex sustainability. Julie Thibodeaux examines, “How Dallas Goes Green,” from the standpoints of the Chamber of Commerce, city of Dallas development officials and our area’s technology sector.

We highlight a compelling eco-initiative of the impressive scope Brita Belli reports on in our feature article, this one in our own backyard. We have found what promises to be the Metroplex’s sustainability juggernaut, Earth NT, the Energy and Technology Hub of North Texas, which promises to put us on a par with California’s Silicon Valley, North Carolina’s Research Triangle and NASA itself.

We hope you enjoy this issue on sustainability. It’s part of our mission to inspire us all to make a difference in the health of the planet and the people who live on it. How perfect it is that healthy living is green and green living is healthy.

Blessings always,

Bernice Butler

Bernice Butler, Publisher