Scriptures
Luke 12:15
Doctrine and Covenants 59: 18-20
Doctrine and Covenants 104:17
Helaman 3:5-11
1 Nephi 11:25
Talks/Lectures
Moffat Lecture
Kimzey Lecture
Quotes
Maxwell Quote
Beck Quote
Hinckley Quote
Hinckley Quote II
Maxwell Quote II
Monson Quote
Kimball Quote
ProvidentLiving.org Quotes on Materialsim
Perry Quote
Articles
Burton Article
White Article
Otterson Article
Other Media
Kawasaki Comic
ASU Sustainability Definitions Web page
Mormon Enviro-Bloggers
LDS Hymnbook
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Ground Hog and a BYU Prof Weigh-in on Climate Change
I have intentionally avoided all climate discussion on this blog. The Gospel has nothing to say about the climate explicitly, and I have chosen to focus on things the Gospel does say. There are so many other reasons to be kind to the Earth. Plus, I think that for many of us, talk of climate change is a real turn-off. Having said all that, I couldn't stay away from this topic forever.
Today is Ground Hog's Day. The Ground Hog saw his shadow, and thus we will have six more weeks of winter, and thus the globe is not warming. OK, I made that last part up. And for the record, I am against asking rodents for advice in scientific matters. I am also against asking politicians for scientific advice. (Politicians and rodents in the same category?) You know who is a good source for all things science? I'll tell you who: scientists. Like this guy who gave a lecture at BYU.
Today is Ground Hog's Day. The Ground Hog saw his shadow, and thus we will have six more weeks of winter, and thus the globe is not warming. OK, I made that last part up. And for the record, I am against asking rodents for advice in scientific matters. I am also against asking politicians for scientific advice. (Politicians and rodents in the same category?) You know who is a good source for all things science? I'll tell you who: scientists. Like this guy who gave a lecture at BYU.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Survey Results! At least partially...
Thanks to everyone who participated in LDS Environmental Survey! The results are available here.
Only the results of the individual questions are currently available, correlated results are not yet available. So for instance, you will be able to see how many survey takers were from Australia, but you won't be able to see how they answered the other questions. In the upcoming weeks (months?) we hope to upload additional analysis, including possible correlations between demographic characteristics and environmental thought.
The data does not represent a random sample. So just because 30% or so of the survey takers are politically moderate, that percentage is meaningless for any other group of people.
There is a wide spectrum of views out there. Just look at the data.
My favorite responses came from the political identity question. One of the respondents claimed to be a "Jedi" politically. Another responder wrote that they do not belong to any political ideology, but rather they take good from wherever they find it. I couldn't agree more.
Enjoy!
Finally, thanks again to Bryce and Peter. Their help made the survey possible!
Only the results of the individual questions are currently available, correlated results are not yet available. So for instance, you will be able to see how many survey takers were from Australia, but you won't be able to see how they answered the other questions. In the upcoming weeks (months?) we hope to upload additional analysis, including possible correlations between demographic characteristics and environmental thought.
The data does not represent a random sample. So just because 30% or so of the survey takers are politically moderate, that percentage is meaningless for any other group of people.
There is a wide spectrum of views out there. Just look at the data.
My favorite responses came from the political identity question. One of the respondents claimed to be a "Jedi" politically. Another responder wrote that they do not belong to any political ideology, but rather they take good from wherever they find it. I couldn't agree more.
Enjoy!
Finally, thanks again to Bryce and Peter. Their help made the survey possible!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Please take a survey
As you can read in my previous post, I have been working on a survey that aims to learn about LDS attitudes towards the environment. As of 9 am (Eastern Time) the survey was not yet live. But I am told that it will go live today.
Please take a few minutes and participate in the survey.
Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/environmentsurvey
If you click on the envelope icon at the bottom of this post you can also invite others to participate.
I'm not allowing comments until after the survey is finished. If you have questions about the survey, e-mail ldssurvey at gmail dot com.
Please take a few minutes and participate in the survey.
Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/
If you click on the envelope icon at the bottom of this post you can also invite others to participate.
I'm not allowing comments until after the survey is finished. If you have questions about the survey, e-mail ldssurvey at gmail dot com.
Why not put together a survey?
Last Summer I participated in J Nielson-Seawright's survey Experiences of the Book of Mormon. After taking the survey, I asked myself why not put together a survey to learn about LDS attitudes towards the environment? I answered my question with two good reasons why I shouldn't take on a survey project:
1. I'm lazy. Surveys take a lot of work.
2. As a Mormon/Environment blogger, I have a distinct point of view that limits both my ability and credibility for conducting an unbiased survey.
Not too long after taking the JNS survey, Bryce Hammond published this post on the Millennial Star blog. I summarize Bryce's post in a sentence: The Pixar movie Wall-E is part of a Satan-inspired scheme to trick people into sin by baiting them with calls to save the planet. Before you think harshly of Bryce, read on...
Bryce's post led me to an AHH-HAH moment: I should ask Bryce to team up on the survey! His involvement would solve both of my problems. Bryce could share the workload, and his "opposing" point of view would add balance and credibility to the survey. I sent an email to Bryce, and he agreed to join the project.
Wanting some additional help, I also petitioned the LDS Earth Stewardship group for assistance. Peter Ashcraft, a member of the group, agreed to be the third member of the survey team.
Bryce, Peter and I have been working for the past few months to create what we hope is an unbiased and meaningful survey. My main contribution to the survey was putting the team together. Peter and Bryce provided the brains and brawn behind the project. My next post will give a link survey. Stay tuned.
The survey writing process wasn't always smooth, but it did provide ample learning opportunities. For example, I learned that Bryce Hammond is a nice person who is great to work with. Another important lesson: Different points of view can be a great blessing if they are viewed as such.
Just don't get me started on the Gospel Principals that are affirmed by Wall-E. ;)
Thanks Bryce. Thanks Peter.
1. I'm lazy. Surveys take a lot of work.
2. As a Mormon/Environment blogger, I have a distinct point of view that limits both my ability and credibility for conducting an unbiased survey.
Not too long after taking the JNS survey, Bryce Hammond published this post on the Millennial Star blog. I summarize Bryce's post in a sentence: The Pixar movie Wall-E is part of a Satan-inspired scheme to trick people into sin by baiting them with calls to save the planet. Before you think harshly of Bryce, read on...
Bryce's post led me to an AHH-HAH moment: I should ask Bryce to team up on the survey! His involvement would solve both of my problems. Bryce could share the workload, and his "opposing" point of view would add balance and credibility to the survey. I sent an email to Bryce, and he agreed to join the project.
Wanting some additional help, I also petitioned the LDS Earth Stewardship group for assistance. Peter Ashcraft, a member of the group, agreed to be the third member of the survey team.
Bryce, Peter and I have been working for the past few months to create what we hope is an unbiased and meaningful survey. My main contribution to the survey was putting the team together. Peter and Bryce provided the brains and brawn behind the project. My next post will give a link survey. Stay tuned.
The survey writing process wasn't always smooth, but it did provide ample learning opportunities. For example, I learned that Bryce Hammond is a nice person who is great to work with. Another important lesson: Different points of view can be a great blessing if they are viewed as such.
Just don't get me started on the Gospel Principals that are affirmed by Wall-E. ;)
Thanks Bryce. Thanks Peter.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Resource: Perry Quote
I don't read too much into this quote. But it is post-worthy when an Apostle mentions sustainable energy, if only in passing.
Quote from Let Him Do It with Simplicity, General Conference 10/08, L. Tom Perry:
"We have been hearing a lot about fuel and energy—about their high cost and limited supply, our unsafe and unpredictable dependence on their suppliers, and the need for new and sustainable sources of energy. I leave the discussion of these complicated issues to leaders of government and industry. The fuel I want to discuss is spiritual fuel." (italics added)
He certainly wasn't antagonistic towards sustainable energy. Your thoughts?
Quote from Let Him Do It with Simplicity, General Conference 10/08, L. Tom Perry:
"We have been hearing a lot about fuel and energy—about their high cost and limited supply, our unsafe and unpredictable dependence on their suppliers, and the need for new and sustainable sources of energy. I leave the discussion of these complicated issues to leaders of government and industry. The fuel I want to discuss is spiritual fuel." (italics added)
He certainly wasn't antagonistic towards sustainable energy. Your thoughts?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Commentary: Time, Postponement, Teaser.
Time flies. Nuf' said. To the kind few who actually read my blog, sorry I've been absent. Moving across the country will do that.
To borrow a phrase from the world of political candidates, I may be "postponing" my involvement in this blog for a little while. My new job is demanding a lot of me. Also, my new job is more fulfilling than my previous one, so I don't have such a need to blog.
Finally, I'm working on a big project that will surely be of interest to anyone reading this blog. The project is the result of lots of work from an super-orthodox Mormon, a super smart Mormon, and a lazy blogging Mormon (me). The project will give you all a chance to be heard!
More later.
To borrow a phrase from the world of political candidates, I may be "postponing" my involvement in this blog for a little while. My new job is demanding a lot of me. Also, my new job is more fulfilling than my previous one, so I don't have such a need to blog.
Finally, I'm working on a big project that will surely be of interest to anyone reading this blog. The project is the result of lots of work from an super-orthodox Mormon, a super smart Mormon, and a lazy blogging Mormon (me). The project will give you all a chance to be heard!
More later.
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