Explore Alternatives and susatinable Technologies

Shalom and welcome to Tikkun Tips. A weekly nugget of Eco-Jewish thought.

Explore alternative and sustainable technologies

Knowledge has always been at the root of Jewish existence. We are a people of study. While other religions encourage meditation as a focus of religious action, Judaism promotes the study of texts and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. As our capacity for knowledge increases, our quest must advance as well. Judaism commands us to live in a sustainable manner. The practice of the Shemittah (Sabbatical) year in which agricultural land is left untouched is actually beneficial to the land. The commandment forbidding the killing of a mother and child animal on the same day teaches us to ensure the survival of the species that roam our planet. Jewish law is full of concepts that teach sustainability, both economic and environmental. Now, in the age of information, we need to raise this practice to the advanced level that our technologies have afforded us.

***Explore alternative technologies***

Every day under-funded scientists are making progress and learning more about renewable energy sources, sustainable building and farming practices, and alternative garbage and sewage disposal systems. Yet for most people, these technologies remain out of reach, both due to lack of knowledge and needlessly high costs. Governments throughout the world, and especially in this country, subsidize certain staples and programs that they feel are essential to the well being of their citizens. Yet they choose not to subsidize programs that could end our dependence on foreign oil and help reduce out environmental impact.

For example, government subsidies stabilize the price of milk, wheat, water, and even oil in order to ensure that these industries stay afloat and to maintain our dependence on these resources. Alternative technologies, such as solar power, could be subsidized in order to make these technologies more accessible and decrease our ecological footprint. However, this would create a conflict of interest for a government so deeply connected to the oil industry. But one needs to remember that the government has the ability to keep the prices of certain commodities down if it so desires.

If we as citizens educate ourselves about the numerous environmentally sustainable technologies that are available, and then demand our elected officials to fund the research and subsidize the costs of these technologies, we can look toward a cleaner future.

There are so many amazing projects going on throughout the world where people are exploring different ways of living in harmony with the natural world. Simply learning more about these projects is inspiring and opens our eyes to the limitless possibilities.

Here some websites to get you started on exploring the world alternative and sustainable technologies.

Earthships: Homes built out of recycled material that are completely off of the electric and water grid system: http://www.earthship.org/

Information on hybrid cars: http://www.hybridcars.com/ http://www.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm

Information on sustainable agriculture: http://www.sare.org

Hopefully this will wet your appetite and you will continue to explore these amazing advances. Happy travels...

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