Thursday, September 30, 2004
EcoVersity
Students Lead Green Campus Development
ELIST, Sep. 21, 2004 (Education for Sustainability Western Network) - Modeled after the Alliance to Save Energy’s Green Schools Program http://www.ase.org/section/program/greenschl/, Green Campus is a student-led outreach program designed to educate the campus community about the importance of energy efficiency. Participating campuses include University of California, Berkeley; California State University, Sonoma; California State University, Humboldt; California State University, Fullerton; University of California, Santa Barbara; and University of California, San Diego. For more information, go to: http://www.ase.org/section/program/greencampus/ .
Students Lead Green Campus Development
ELIST, Sep. 21, 2004 (Education for Sustainability Western Network) - Modeled after the Alliance to Save Energy’s Green Schools Program http://www.ase.org/section/program/greenschl/, Green Campus is a student-led outreach program designed to educate the campus community about the importance of energy efficiency. Participating campuses include University of California, Berkeley; California State University, Sonoma; California State University, Humboldt; California State University, Fullerton; University of California, Santa Barbara; and University of California, San Diego. For more information, go to: http://www.ase.org/section/program/greencampus/ .
Eco-design / Ecoversities
Green Building Standards Upgraded
ELIST, Sep. 17, 2004 (EFSWN) - The University of California's headquarters in downtown Oakland recently received an Energy Star label from DOE and EPA representatives. The award is given to the most energy-efficient buildings in the nation. UC officials also announced two other energy-smart initiatives, including a new green building policy requiring that all new construction or any significant renovations at any of the system's 10 campuses must adhere to green-building regulations and meet energy-efficiency standards. For more information, go to: http://www.ucop.edu/news/archives/2004/sep09.htm .
Green Building Standards Upgraded
ELIST, Sep. 17, 2004 (EFSWN) - The University of California's headquarters in downtown Oakland recently received an Energy Star label from DOE and EPA representatives. The award is given to the most energy-efficient buildings in the nation. UC officials also announced two other energy-smart initiatives, including a new green building policy requiring that all new construction or any significant renovations at any of the system's 10 campuses must adhere to green-building regulations and meet energy-efficiency standards. For more information, go to: http://www.ucop.edu/news/archives/2004/sep09.htm .
Events / Success Stories / Heroic Actions – Vancouver, BC
Fraser Basin Council Announces the 2004 State of the Fraser Basin Conference and Seeks Nominations for the 2004 Sustainability Awards
VANCOUVER, BC, Sep. 21, 2004 - The theme of the 4th biennial State of the Fraser Basin Conference – "Sustainability Works!" – is sure to provoke much thought and discussion. While there are still many challenges to be met and choices to be made before we can say we are living sustainably, the Fraser Basin Council believes that when collaboration and joint action are chosen over confrontation and inaction, sustainability does, indeed, work. The 2004 State of the Fraser Basin Conference will be a place where such successes can be shared to stimulate join action on the challenges that remain. More about the conference - http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/action/index.html .
(Nominations close Oct. 8th. About the awards - http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/awards/ )
Fraser Basin Council Announces the 2004 State of the Fraser Basin Conference and Seeks Nominations for the 2004 Sustainability Awards
VANCOUVER, BC, Sep. 21, 2004 - The theme of the 4th biennial State of the Fraser Basin Conference – "Sustainability Works!" – is sure to provoke much thought and discussion. While there are still many challenges to be met and choices to be made before we can say we are living sustainably, the Fraser Basin Council believes that when collaboration and joint action are chosen over confrontation and inaction, sustainability does, indeed, work. The 2004 State of the Fraser Basin Conference will be a place where such successes can be shared to stimulate join action on the challenges that remain. More about the conference - http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/action/index.html .
(Nominations close Oct. 8th. About the awards - http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/awards/ )
EcoVersity
Ecosa Institute / Spring 2005 Semester
Sustainable Design Pre-Professional Program
WEBSITE Reference, Sep. 2004 (Ecosa) - "The spring semester is a wonderful primer for people wanting to learn more about sustainable design." Spring ’03 Alumni. Guest Lecturers: Hunter Lovins, David Orr, John Todd & Steve Badanes. Program Dates: January 10 – April 29, 2005. Prescott, AZ. The Ecosa Institute spring semester Pre-Professional Program is for people interested in exploring the design arts and sustainability without enrolling in a professional design school. There are no prerequisites and at the end of the semester, participants have a foundation on which to pursue further education and careers in the diverse, growing field of sustainable andecological design. Participants travel to both ancient and modern sites exemplifying sustainability throughout Arizona and meet with leaders in thefield. To apply: www.ecosainstitute.org / info@ecosainstitute.org.
Ecosa Institute / Spring 2005 Semester
Sustainable Design Pre-Professional Program
WEBSITE Reference, Sep. 2004 (Ecosa) - "The spring semester is a wonderful primer for people wanting to learn more about sustainable design." Spring ’03 Alumni. Guest Lecturers: Hunter Lovins, David Orr, John Todd & Steve Badanes. Program Dates: January 10 – April 29, 2005. Prescott, AZ. The Ecosa Institute spring semester Pre-Professional Program is for people interested in exploring the design arts and sustainability without enrolling in a professional design school. There are no prerequisites and at the end of the semester, participants have a foundation on which to pursue further education and careers in the diverse, growing field of sustainable andecological design. Participants travel to both ancient and modern sites exemplifying sustainability throughout Arizona and meet with leaders in thefield. To apply: www.ecosainstitute.org / info@ecosainstitute.org.
Cooperatives / Cohousing
Shared Living Envrionments Emerge
EMAIL, Sep. 2004 (CIPNews reader reference) - Communitas is very excited about the development of this new cooperative because its cohousing component makes it unique. Cohousing is an emerging pattern of neighbour living in which the best features of private housing are combined with an active community environment. The cohousing model provides for private dwellings along with facilities for group cooking and eating, meetings, play areas, and other amenities that can be shared by the whole community. If residents wish meals can be are shared, conversations and meetings are held, daily activities of life are carried out. Cameron Avenue Cohousing Cooperative is the first cohousing project that is available on a continuing cooperative basis. It is in the development stage and will consist of 14 apartments and a large community facilities that will house a social/meeting area complete with kitchen as well as recreation spaces for both children and adults. There are 11 two bedroom units and 3 one bedroom units. We have just started the renovation work on the building and are now in the process of developing the cooperative membership. We have received a number of applications for membership. Please call for info on an initial workshop for you who have expressed interest in the cooperative. During this workshop you will have the opportunity to find out about the project in more detail and get to meet potential future neighbours. Please feel free to give me a call at 403-482-5467. Lynn Hannley.
Shared Living Envrionments Emerge
EMAIL, Sep. 2004 (CIPNews reader reference) - Communitas is very excited about the development of this new cooperative because its cohousing component makes it unique. Cohousing is an emerging pattern of neighbour living in which the best features of private housing are combined with an active community environment. The cohousing model provides for private dwellings along with facilities for group cooking and eating, meetings, play areas, and other amenities that can be shared by the whole community. If residents wish meals can be are shared, conversations and meetings are held, daily activities of life are carried out. Cameron Avenue Cohousing Cooperative is the first cohousing project that is available on a continuing cooperative basis. It is in the development stage and will consist of 14 apartments and a large community facilities that will house a social/meeting area complete with kitchen as well as recreation spaces for both children and adults. There are 11 two bedroom units and 3 one bedroom units. We have just started the renovation work on the building and are now in the process of developing the cooperative membership. We have received a number of applications for membership. Please call for info on an initial workshop for you who have expressed interest in the cooperative. During this workshop you will have the opportunity to find out about the project in more detail and get to meet potential future neighbours. Please feel free to give me a call at 403-482-5467. Lynn Hannley.
Local Living Communities
Community of Light: An Overview of What We’d Like
WEBSITE Reference, Aug, 2002 (Creative Ideas) - We want to co-create with others a community in a rural area, grow a portion of our own food, create a profitable cottage industry, and so be self employed. We want keep well the land that we live on and engage in right livelihood. We also want to contribute to the community around us and so benefit our society. Ideally, we would want to be near enough to a town of no more than approximately 50,000 or so, a college community. We could each use our talents, abilities, or professions to provide for ourselves as well as whatever "cottage industry" would be. Consider yourselves welcome to email us to express your ideas about what our community should be. We are, after all, the persons who will make it up. I imagine there are a lot of ideas out there and I know that what has been written in this or prior issues are meant as to be a working concept, one that is in progress, and meant to be discussed, even debated. If you have not been to the Community of Lights web page we now have a listing of communities that are forming. It may be educational to visit some of those sites to see what's new in the community universe: the URL for our web Address is this: http://www.creativeideasforyou.com/commune_land.html . If you would like to leave a telephone message for us, you can leave one at Wendy's voicemail which is 415-364-3045. Thanks, Dan and Wendy. Email Address: creative1@creativeideasforyou.com .
Community of Light: An Overview of What We’d Like
WEBSITE Reference, Aug, 2002 (Creative Ideas) - We want to co-create with others a community in a rural area, grow a portion of our own food, create a profitable cottage industry, and so be self employed. We want keep well the land that we live on and engage in right livelihood. We also want to contribute to the community around us and so benefit our society. Ideally, we would want to be near enough to a town of no more than approximately 50,000 or so, a college community. We could each use our talents, abilities, or professions to provide for ourselves as well as whatever "cottage industry" would be. Consider yourselves welcome to email us to express your ideas about what our community should be. We are, after all, the persons who will make it up. I imagine there are a lot of ideas out there and I know that what has been written in this or prior issues are meant as to be a working concept, one that is in progress, and meant to be discussed, even debated. If you have not been to the Community of Lights web page we now have a listing of communities that are forming. It may be educational to visit some of those sites to see what's new in the community universe: the URL for our web Address is this: http://www.creativeideasforyou.com/commune_land.html . If you would like to leave a telephone message for us, you can leave one at Wendy's voicemail which is 415-364-3045. Thanks, Dan and Wendy. Email Address: creative1@creativeideasforyou.com .
Organic Growing / Community Involvement
Wake up your lawns and gardens with a ‘cuppa …’
ELIST, Sep. 24, 2004 (PIRG-Calgary) - Voices of the Soil - Wake up your lawns and gardens with a cuppa tea party where you will have an opportunity to purchase compost tea. What is compost tea? Click: http://www.voicesofthesoil.org .
Wake up your lawns and gardens with a ‘cuppa …’
ELIST, Sep. 24, 2004 (PIRG-Calgary) - Voices of the Soil - Wake up your lawns and gardens with a cuppa tea party where you will have an opportunity to purchase compost tea. What is compost tea? Click: http://www.voicesofthesoil.org .
Environment / Climate Change Solutions
Take the One-Tonne Challenge
ELIST, Sep. 2004 (Website Reference,Vera Gottlieb) - Did you know the average Canadian produces 5 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions each year? That’s enough to fill 5 two-storey, three-bedroom houses. The majority of these emissions come from driving cars and heating and cooling our homes. The Federal government is challenging every Canadian to reduce their GHG emissions by one tonne to help slow climate change and improve air quality. In the process you’ll also save money. For instance, by ensuring your car’s tires are properly inflated you will optimize your gas consumption which could reduce your GHG emissions by at least 1/8 tonne annually and even save you fuel costs. (The "One Tonne Challenge Tips Guide" is available in print by calling 1-800-O Canada-Nature Canada-Summer 2004-www.climatechange.go.ca)
Take the One-Tonne Challenge
ELIST, Sep. 2004 (Website Reference,Vera Gottlieb) - Did you know the average Canadian produces 5 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions each year? That’s enough to fill 5 two-storey, three-bedroom houses. The majority of these emissions come from driving cars and heating and cooling our homes. The Federal government is challenging every Canadian to reduce their GHG emissions by one tonne to help slow climate change and improve air quality. In the process you’ll also save money. For instance, by ensuring your car’s tires are properly inflated you will optimize your gas consumption which could reduce your GHG emissions by at least 1/8 tonne annually and even save you fuel costs. (The "One Tonne Challenge Tips Guide" is available in print by calling 1-800-O Canada-Nature Canada-Summer 2004-www.climatechange.go.ca)
Environment / EcoDesign
Community Tree Protectors
RED HILLS BIOREGION, FL, Sep. 17 (Heart of the Earth) - We are looking for someone who would like to help in our effort to protect the trees in our community. We launched our tree initiative in July and we want to build on the momentum from our first and follow-up meetings. Over the next several months, we plan to approach our City and County Commissioners to talk with them about our concerns for the green spaces and native trees and vegetation. Our goal is to educate each Commissioner about the loss our community is suffering as we lose these spaces, explore alternatives to deforestation and to discover where each Commissioner stands on this environmental issue. What we need now is someone who would be willing to help in coordinating these efforts. This person would initially not need to know all the issues involved, as we would bring you up to speed as part of coordinating the project. This is an exciting project and one that could well make a major contribution to preserving the beautiful trees in our community. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Robin McDougall at robin@capmed.org or 877-3251.
Community Tree Protectors
RED HILLS BIOREGION, FL, Sep. 17 (Heart of the Earth) - We are looking for someone who would like to help in our effort to protect the trees in our community. We launched our tree initiative in July and we want to build on the momentum from our first and follow-up meetings. Over the next several months, we plan to approach our City and County Commissioners to talk with them about our concerns for the green spaces and native trees and vegetation. Our goal is to educate each Commissioner about the loss our community is suffering as we lose these spaces, explore alternatives to deforestation and to discover where each Commissioner stands on this environmental issue. What we need now is someone who would be willing to help in coordinating these efforts. This person would initially not need to know all the issues involved, as we would bring you up to speed as part of coordinating the project. This is an exciting project and one that could well make a major contribution to preserving the beautiful trees in our community. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Robin McDougall at robin@capmed.org or 877-3251.
