Author: Matthew Lie - Paehlke

This short essay will make two related points.  First, that getting pleasure from our experience is a craft and one that we can get better at.  And, second, that we as a society should focus on meeting basic needs and then allow people to increase their pleasure by practicing the craft of getting more out … Continue reading Better living before, during and after a pandemic

Do you remember way back in January 2020 when the coronavirus was just another news story?  For years, experts have been making urgent calls about the possibility of a global pandemic.  But these scientific warnings, not unlike climate science, only popped up briefly on our collective radar before being swallowed up by the cacophony of … Continue reading This is what an emergency looks like…

PANDEMIC OR NOT, STAYCATIONS ARE SUPERIOR Our family has been doing staycations and short train rides for years in order to reduce our emissions.  Now that Corona Virus is on everyone's mind, we expect a lot of people will also be giving staycations a go.  Here's the thing -- you might not go back, because … Continue reading Climate Challenge 10: Staycation

Climate Change is fucking complicated.  Following detailed climate news from reliable sources will make you into a better and more confident climate activist!  Myrtle attributes her turn towards activism to following climate news -- at first the slow-drip of crises was unpleasant, but eventually it got her fired up to fix the problem and learn … Continue reading Challenge 6: Follow or Subscribe to Climate News

This post is written with Canada in mind -- but it's always a good idea to meet with elected officials.  So if you live outside Canada -- go and meet them anyway!  It's harder for them to ignore you face-to-face.  They may still ignore you, but if there are enough us, we will eventually wear … Continue reading Challenge 5: Meet your MP!