Sustainability

BC EARTH MASTERS PROGRAM: REGISTRATION OPEN

Student Registration Starts For BC Earth Masters Sustainability Trades Workshop Program!

VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC, Canada, Sept.20, 2006 (Local Living Communities News) - "Earth Masters" (a sustainability trades school / workshops program of the Community Assets Project on Vancouver Island) has begun to accept applications for its Fall/Winter classes this week. Pre-registration is in full swing.

Six-day, evening and weekend workshop classes are to begin in October (specific start dates and schedules to be determined by instructors according to early participation) with a continuous schedule of daytime workshops expected to be available by March.

The Earth Masters Program is a grassroots, hands-on learning system created and supported by a co-operative web of not-for-profit, social enterprise, student and teaching partners designed to enable anyone, at any level, to build and live with more appropriately sustainable practices.

Study the areas that interest you, at your own pace. Fees are reasonable; a small number of barter and internship options are available for those of limited means.

For more information or for a Student Interest Package, Preliminary Course List and Admission Form, please contact:

Lisa or Wesley (250-753-5605)
Earth Masters Program
Community Assets Project
communityassets@telus.net
Box 4516, #54 - 650 Terminal Ave.
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
V9R 6E8

Media Requests & Speakers Bureau Contact: Roz Powell - em@vibc.ca

Climate Change / Students Involved in Sustainability Projects

“Focus the Nation” Global Warming Educational Initiative Launched
Portland, OR, September 14th, 2006 (Focus the Nation) - Focus the Nation is a major educational initiative that is coordinating teams of faculty, students and staff at over a thousand colleges, universities and high schools in the United States, to collaboratively engage in a nationwide, interdisciplinary discussion centered around the theme of "Stabilizing the Climate in the 21st Century." The project will culminate January 31, 2008, in the form of one-day, national symposia held simultaneously on campuses across the country. Students, faculty and staff can sign their schools up to participate on the project's website… http://www.focusthenation.org/fnpressrelease0906.html.

Cool Projects / Sustainable Enterprise

Reducing the Ecological Footprint of Travel
TORONTO, Canada, September 28, 2006 (Zerofootprint) - A Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that helps businesses and individuals reduce their ecological footprint, has recently partnered with International Readings at Harbourfront Centre to aid the organization in becoming more “green” As a first step in moving toward this goal, Zerofootprint will environmentally offset the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from all air and automobile travel for participants in International Readings’ 27th annual International Festival of Authors (IFOA) which runs October 18-28. The Zerofootprint Offset Program neutralizes CO2 emissions, a known cause of global warming.
http://www.zerofootprint.net/about/news.asp?id=10143&p=

Sustainable Neighbourhoods and Urban Growing

Certificate Program in Ecological Landscape Design
BURNABY, BC, August 2006 (Gaia College) – An eye-opening experience that will leave you empowered with a new understanding of how gardens – and garden design - work. This is a two semester, part-time access program for home gardeners and landscapers interested in gaining additional expertise. Learn to work WITH nature to create healthy, vibrant, and ecologically sound landscapes. Curriculum includes landscape ecology, design principles, drafting exercises, lectures, field trips, and lots of hands-on practical application. A very intense and highly integrated program! The two terms are in Fall of 2006 and Winter of 2007, twice weekly for nine weeks each, with three study breaks. www.gaiacollege.ca/design

Cool Projects and Actions /Good News

Car-sharing Continues to Gain Momentum
WEB Resource, August 2006 (Vital Signs) – With auto ownership and fuel costs rising, people everywhere are seeking alternatives to private vehicle ownership. Car-sharing (or short-term vehicle rentals) provides such an alternative through hourly rates and subscription-access plans, especially for individuals and businesses in major cities with good access to other transportation modes, such as transit and carpooling. For nearly 20 years, there has been growing worldwide participation in car-sharing. Some 330,000 individuals—nearly two thirds of whom are in Europe—now share at least 10,500 vehicles as part of organized car-sharing services. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4290

Students Involved in Sustainability Projects

Greening Your Campus Forum
WEB Resource, August 3, 2006, (AASHE Bulletin) – Climate Institute an online forum to connect members of universities that are looking to make their campuses more environmentally friendly. The forum provides a place for people to share their experiences and ask questions about campus sustainability. http://greencampus.forumer.com/