Hi, Green Friends,
Your Step It Up crew will be on Art Berluti's show Monday morning at 11 AM, on WADK, 1540 AM. Our guest will be Ellen Pfeiffer, National Grid's Project Manager for "Energy Action: Aquidneck and Jamestown." We'll be talking about National Grid's residential efficiency programs, and the Neighborhood Energy Challenge, kicking off at the International Day of Climate Change on October 24.
We've just learned that our own Tony Wallace Ciany will be presenting at the Bioneers by the Bay conference in New Bedford in October. Her topic is "Graceful Exit: How to Leave Your Campus Lean and Green When the School Year Ends." As soon as we can start wedging October events into this update, we'll give you more information about this wonderful conference. Meanwhile, you can read about it at: http://www.connectingforchange.org/program-workshops.html.
I'll be quiet now, to make space for more events.
Channing's Green Congregation Chair
Monday, September 21, 2009
*NEW* The Age of Stupid, Docudrama, one-time-only showing
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Warwick Showcase Cinemas, 1200 Quaker Ln, E. Greenwich
This powerful "docudrama" is set in the year 2055, after global warming has done massive damage to humanity. Oscar-nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite stars as a historian who "looks back" on real footage from 2008 to try to answer the question, "why didn't we stop climate change while we had the chance?"
There will also be a simulcast of a Hollywood-style premiere event live from a solar-powered tent in New York City to over 700 theaters in the U.S. and 50 other countries. Featured celebrities include Gillian Anderson, Heather Graham, and Moby. MTV's Gideon Yago will interview Nobel Peace Prize recipient Kofi Annan, environmental scientist James Hansen, and The Age of Stupid director Franny Armstrong. Ending the night will be a special, acoustic performance by Radiohead's Thom Yorke.
Purchase advance tickets by clicking on: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=59626
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Apeiron Inst. 2nd Annual RI Sustainable Schools Summit
Time: 8 AM to 4 PM
Location: URI Providence Campus, 80 Washington St.
Rhode Island Schools: Taking Strides to Sustainability Attention Superintendents, Administrators, Teachers, Students, School Board Officials, Facilities Managers, Principals, Parents, and Community Members:
Join the Apeiron Institute for this FREE program as we take an in-depth look at some green initiatives in local schools and discuss ways to integrate environmental sustainability in school environments, school food systems, and curricula.
Register for free at http://www.apeiron.org/
*NEW* Obama Administration Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting
Time: 4 to 7 PM
Location: RI Convention Ctr., Ballrooms D&E, Providence
The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, consists of senior-level officials from Administration agencies, departments, and offices. The Task Force is charged with developing a recommendation for a national policy that ensures protection, maintenance, and restoration of oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes. It will also recommend a framework for improved stewardship, and effective coastal and marine spatial planning. The public is encouraged to attend and an opportunity for public comment will be provided.
Presenters: Chair Nancy Sutley, White House Council on Environmental Quality Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Vice Admiral David P. Pekoske, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard
Dr. Dora Hughes, Counselor for Science & Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services Associate Deputy Secretary Laura Davis, Department of Interior
Note: Public comment can also be submitted online at: www.whitehouse.gov/oceans
Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update workshop-Land Use
Time: 6 to 8 PM
Location: City Hall, Broadway, Newport
Share your goals and priorities for promoting "the health and vigor of the city." Join a lively discussion about updating our Land Use Plan. The committee wants to hear your viewpoint. This second of three topical discussions addresses land use.
*NEW* Will the AI Transportation Study be planet-friendly?
Time: 7 to 9 PM
Location: Stookeys', 179 Coggeshall Ave., Newport
Aquidneck Island long-term transporation options: Here's a once-in-a-decade chance to help design a 21st century transportation system that dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission is just beginning a 2-year $500,000 Transportation Study for the island. This gives us a great opportunity to lead the region and the nation toward low-impact ways of moving about in our daily lives.
The goals of the study, although encouraging, do not specifically mention CO2 pollution. We will be looking at the study plan and considering how we can urge the planners to adopt 21st century ideas that protect the planet, not just 20th century recommendations to accommodate more vehicles.
We'll also be considering what we might say at the study's first Public Hearing on September 29th. You can read the study description at http://www.aquidneckplanning.org/AIP%20Transport%20study.html and linked pages.
Please join us for coffee, tea, dessert and an important discussion.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Economical Historic Home: Energy Efficiency Basics for the Old House Owner
Time: 9 AM to 12:45 PM
Location: Philip Walker House, 432 Massasoit Ave., E. Providence
Do you love your historic home, but hate the high heating bills and wasted energy? Learn how to make your old house more energy efficient without losing its historic character. This hands-on workshop, a joint project with Preserve RI, Historic New England & Providence Revolving Fund, will discuss insulation, weatherizing doors, window repair, retrofitting for renewable energy, tax credits, and more. Reserve your space today! www.newportrestoration.org/calendar/details/12973-the_economical
Space is limited—reserve early! $15 for members of Preserve RI and Historic N.E. $25 for non-members.
Providence Sustainability Festival (Apeiron Institute)
Time: 10 AM to 6 PM
Location: Burnside Park, across from Kennedy Plaza, Providence
The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living will hold its first Providence festival, http://apeiron.org/slf2009/index2.html, a free event. It will include many of the features of the Coventry festival, providing numerous resources through its participating vendors, workshops and exhibits.
Working with the City of Providence, the festival will also highlight “green job” opportunities. We are seeking significant community input and welcome businesses and organizations with a green presence in Providence to participate in the festival, either as exhibitors, presenters, or organizers.
For more information, contact Apeiron at info@apeiron.org or call 401-228-7930.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
*NEW* AI Transportation Study's first public workshop
Time: 6 to 9 PM
Location: Middletown Town Hall, E. Main Rd.
Please be sure to join us on September 29 for the first public workshop of AIPC's newest project, the Transportation Study. This study marks the first time the entire island traffic system will be studied as an integrated unit. This ground-breaking $500,000 study (funding provided by FHWA, SPP, RIDOT) will take a macro and micro look at all of the major and feeder roads for traffic flow, safety and multi-modal access. It will impact the entire Island economy.
The study is results-oriented and will produce a state project listing for short, medium and long-range transportation construction and redesign projects on Aquidneck Island. It will help direct additional federal and state monies into Island projects that will improve the entire transportation system.
A key to success for the project is public participation, which includes an interactive web site (Transportation Study Website), opportunities for stakeholder interviews and input and at least four public workshops. Everyone is invited to become a part of the solution to what we all agree is a significant quality of life challenge (traffic) for Aquidneck Island.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
*NEW* Climate Change and Justice
Time: 10 to 10:50 AM
Location: URI Kingston, Memorial Union, Atrium II
This workshop provides a scientific overview of the causes and impacts of climate change and makes the point that climate change raises challenging ethical questions, especially related to social justice: The first people to suffer from climate change are those who have contributed the least greenhouse gases, for example people in Africa as well as the indigenous people in small island states and in the Arctic regions. The talk concludes with ideas how we as individuals can express fairness and justice in our lives by reducing our own carbon footprint.
For more information contact Christine Muller at chmuller@etal.uri.edu. This event is part of URI’s Diversity Week: http://www.uri.edu/mcc/DiversityWeek/2009/index.php
