Do it yourself
Why, in this region blessed with so many producers of grass-fed or pastured beef, pork and poultry, are we being told to eat less meat to conserve grain?
The recommendation should instead be to eat locally raised, pastured animals ("Do It Yourself: 26 Things You Can Do Without Changing a Light Bulb," 4/18/08). Vegetarians who argue against eating meat because of how much grain the animals consume should get their heads out of the industrial feedlots.
Bryn Cory
Some great suggestions for reducing one's carbon footprint. I'd like to add an essential one to the list: Use 100% renewable electricity.
The single largest cause of global warming is electricity usage, because coal-fired power plants are collectively the largest source of greenhouse gases in the U.S.
Fortunately, it's easy for Madisonians to plug into renewable energy through MGE's "Green Power Tomorrow" program. This program (mostly wind energy, some solar) costs only a penny more per kilowatt hour; the average household will spend $6 per month extra for 100% renewable energy, less if you conserve. People can sign up at www.mge.com.
If you're not in Madison and your utility doesn't offer anything like this, ask them why, and purchase carbon offsets through Native Energy or other similar programs instead. Or go solar; we did it, and in the long run it's cheaper than paying our electric bill. In fact, we'll save many thousands of dollars.
Jim Winkle
I have a 27th thing for you to do: Stop publishing Isthmus in paper form. What a waste of trees, not to mention those plastic boxes on street corners that house copies of Isthmus.
Why not just publish your valuable news and information online? You could also set an example to other newspapers, be a green leader.
Tom Jenz
Step right up
Your mention of Karl-Henrik Robert and the Natural Step ("How Green Is My Government?," 4/18/08) was tantalizing. Please consider doing a full feature on this scientist and the Natural Step sustainability concepts!
In his introduction of Dr. Robert at the Green Medicine conference on April 14, Mayor Cieslewicz informed us that Madison is the largest city in America practicing TNS principles.
As Dr. Robert pointed out, that is both good news and bad news. We can feel proud that Madison is among the more visionary municipalities in the country. On the other hand, who knew? Who's heard of the Natural Step? Who knew our civic leaders were practicing it?
Getting the word out about the Natural Step would really be cause for an eco-celebration!
Ingrid Andersson
Get that story!
The Brittany Zimmermann 911 call is a national story now ("Victim Called 911, But No One Came," 5/2/08). You've got to keep on it until the truth comes out and those responsible for the screw-up and cover-up are fired.
David Boothby, Los Angeles
