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Climate Talks

RUTLAND HERALD 06/18/22 TIMES ARGUS 06/18/22 By Michael Shank Any time the international community convenes to talk about climate change, there’s a predictable mix of criticism and encouragement. This month’s 50th anniversary of the Stockholm Declaration, commemorating the United Nations first official gathering to discuss the “human environment” and ways […]

Political Disenfranchisement is Fueling Environmental Injustice

THE HILL 04/09/21 By Michael Shank Everyone in America deserves the right to clean air, clean water and clean environments in which to live. Achieving these basic human rights for all of us would be a major milestone in building an environmentally just and equitable society — and unfortunately, we’re […]

It’s Time to Reshape the Food Pyramid to Save the Climate

FAST COMPANY 03/09/21 By Michael Shank Now that Tom Vilsack is back at the helm at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for his second stint as secretary, receiving Senate confirmation last month, he’s been promoting conservation and a new bank to convince farmers to support climate action by paying […]

USDA Upgrade Opportunity

RUTLAND HERALD 02/27/21 TIMES ARGUS 02/27/21 By Michael Shank Since receiving President Joe Biden’s nomination for secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack has indicated he’s newly committed to a USDA that prioritizes sustainable, regenerative and climate-resilient agriculture. It’s a welcomed shift from previous stints as USDA secretary under […]

The Herald Candidate Questionnaires: Vt. Senate, Rutland District

THE HERALD 10/01/20 Rutland County District (Three Seats) The Rutland Senate District covers the White River Valley town of Pittsfield. The Herald sent out questionnaires to area candidates running for state representative and state senator. Each was given space to respond to the following questions: As a result of the […]

Speaker Series Offers Career Advice

RUTLAND HERALD 09/15/20 By Jim Sabataso CASTLETON — A new speaker series aims to share professional career advice for navigating the coronavirus pandemic. The Rutland Rising Job Talk series is being organized by Brandon resident Michael Shank in partnership with Castleton University. The free series, which launches at noon Friday, […]

Rutland Rising: Professional Job Talks & Advice

On Fridays this fall, at 12 noon ET, Dr. Michael Shank, in partnership with Castleton University, will host a professional development series featuring successful leaders in the business community, in city, state and national government, and in the nonprofit sector. Speakers will discuss how to successfully market yourself in today’s […]

Rutland Roundtables: Your Story, Your Vision

Sign up below to share your story and your vision for Rutland’s future! Hosted by Dr. Michael Shank, the Rutland Roundtables take place virtually over Zoom/phone every Wednesday evening in September at 6 p.m. ET. After filling out the form below, you’ll be emailed the zoom/phone call-in information for the […]

Why I’m Running for Vermont State Senate

My Lens on Life I think about everything through the lens of sustainability. Meaning, can we sustain these policies for the next 5 decades and the next 5 generations? Since policy decisions require financial, human and natural resources, we need to ask: Do we have enough resources to last? Are […]