VTDigger

Stop the Bullying

VTDIGGER 01/15/19By Michael Shank and Former US Congressman Mike HondaEditor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and former Rep. Michael Honda. Shank, of Brandon, is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Honda, a Democrat, represented California’s 17th congressional district between […]

Keeping Our Planet Inhabitable

VTDIGGER 12/19/18By Michael Shank and US Congressman Alan LowenthalEditor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and Rep. Alan Lowenthal. Shank, of Brandon, teaches sustainable development at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and is the communications director at the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Lowenthal, […]

Moving to Action on the Climate Front

VTDIGGER 11/28/18 By Michael Shank Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank, of Brandon, who is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. He serves on Brandon’s planning commission and energy committee. Environmentalists have long depended on good data and sound […]

US Energy Policy Needs Aboutface

VTDIGGER 10/29/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Lloyd Doggett Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and U.S. Rep Lloyd Doggett. Shank, of Brandon, is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Doggett, a Democrat, represents Texas communities from San […]

The Climate Crisis is Real

VTDIGGER 10/10/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Hank Johnson Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and Rep. Hank Johnson. Shank, of Brandon, is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Johnson, a Democrat, represents Georgia’s 4th congressional district and […]

The Carbon Footprint of Wasted Food

VTDIGGER 08/15/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Raul Grijalva When it comes to tackling climate change, one of the greatest challenges we face is understanding the myriad factors that influence our warming planet. Addressing some while ignoring others will only allow the mercury to continue to rise. And while […]

The Water Crisis

VTDIGGER 07/14/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Matt Cartwright Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright. Shank, of Brandon, is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Cartwright represents Pennsylvania’s 17th congressional district and serves […]

Goal-Setting Necessary to Save Our Environment

VTDIGGER 06/25/18 By Michael Shank and US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke This country desperately needs a positive vision, some goals for where we’re going. Instead, it’s all negative all the time, a daily slashing-and-burning of hard-fought protections. Take the environment, for example. The offensive has been non-stop. Thanks to months of […]

Toward Sustainable Diets and Food Security

VTDIGGER 05/08/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Matt Cartwright Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and Matt Cartwright. Shank, of Brandon, teaches at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Cartwright represents […]

Fashion’s Carbon Footprint

VTDIGGER 03/25/18 Michael Shank & Maxine Bédat Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and Maxine Bédat. Shank, of Brandon, is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Maxine Bédat co-founded the sustainable apparel company Zady and is a leader in […]