When we as a nation think about our economy how often do we also think about the environment? Often these two topics are disaggregated from one another. However, they should be thought of together. In moving towards renewable energy sources, public transportation, human health, housing affordability, and emerging workforce opportunities play a vital role for job creation in these fields and therefore a vital role in our environment and economy.
There's something terrifying happening to our planet that will have a greater impact on mankind than anything else in history. Climate change is one of the preeminent environmental issues of our time, and a deep understanding of this problem is vital for everyone on Earth. The single biggest challenge we will face in our future is adequate energy for the exponentially growing world population.
The evolving connections between research institutions like Virginia Tech and regional economic development organizations like the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) are essential partnerships needed to make informed decision about the ever-changing economy due to their unique research abilities. VCEDA is an organization which helps bring more jobs to the Southwest Workforce Development Area or as the Spearhead region to others, through program grants for business and industry related inquiries.
Oh Southwest Virginia, who wouldn’t want to visit such a beautiful, mountainous area and be a part of this special place? The wealth of beauty and history in Appalachia has created an identity held dear by its people. It is a place of refuge, openness, and exploration that may retain current residents and attract newcomers to this region that has seen a population decline of 7% since 2000, while Virginia has seen a 19% increase over the same time span.
This is a blog regarding citizen science projects ability to contribute to the greater good of science needed for protecting natural systems and better understanding human behavior.
Blog about Hydraulic Fracking for Natural Gas
Let’s imagine, if WE could get a glimpse of the future and we’re frightened by what WE saw. What would WE do with that information? Go to politicians or the heads of industries with statistics, research, facts, data? Good luck. The only facts they won’t challenge are the ones that keep the wheels greased and the dollars rolling. If the probability of wide spread annihilation kept filling the minds, would WE would ignore it or accept it?
At the time I was very lonely and needed a companion. I always wanted a Rottweiler but I knew that breed may be too large for the compact housing typically found in a college town like Blacksburg. I began looking online and happened to find Taryn (who I renamed Esri because she did not respond to Taryn) at the Pulaski Humane Society. I saw that she was a Rottweiler mix and knew that I had to have her. She now lives with a cat who she is best friends with and has a third of an acre fenced-in yard to run around on near the campus. She has happily gained a few extra pounds from when she was there for three months. I like to believe those extra pounds come from all the extra love from her filled heart. She loves to go hiking and go to the river but she tucks her stubby docked tail at the word "bath". She is now trained and in a good home where she can be free and happy (just not on the new couch). Some pictures can be found on my website at https://hearth.earth/heart at the bottom of the page.
"Creative adaptability is the key to successful conservation"
