SUSTAINABILITY ANNOUNCEMENTSSUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK, Lawrence Kansas 13 July 2010 Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy
ECO RADIO KC ¤ WEEKLY ECOLOGICAL ISSUES RADIO SHOWTuesday,
13 July 2010, 12:00noon
¤ on Kansas City Community Radio
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or on web-streaming at
http://www.kkfi.org/ On
Eco-Radio KC this week, host John Kurmann will be talking with
Gretchen Wieland of
Repower America and
Craig Volland of the
Sierra Club - Kansas Chapter about the Gulf oil disaster and what we need to do to avoid future oil catastrophes.
Stay tuned at 12:30 when
the Bioneers radio series presents
"Becoming a Habitat: Motherhood, Faith, and the Environmental Human Rights Movement" .
We live in a society dependent on toxic chemicals. Today about 287 such chemicals trespass inside the blood of newborns – and inside all of us - without our consent. Despite the odds, ecologist, author and mother Sandra Steingraber is an optimist. She’s betting that the burgeoning global environmental human rights movement will free us from our deadly dependency. She believes our grandchildren will look back on us and marvel that our economy was once dependent on toxic chemicals - and they will think of it as unthinkable.___________________________________________________
PLAN A: OSSIFIED, FOSSILIZED BUSINESS AS USUALIt's hard to know where to start here, but the unstated end goal is wealth consolidation from the many to the few. Margaret Thatcher (
T.I.N.A.) and Ronald Reagan were early proponents of neo-liberalism of international finance. But it was Dick Cheney and cohorts, who when out of power in the 1990's, began the
Project for the New American Century, which schemed everything from a rationale for war with Saddam Hussein to Cheney's own secretive Industry Energy Task Force when he was Vice President. It was this Task Force that developed a National Energy Policy heavily weighted toward dirty energy corporations including Enron, Exxon-Mobile, and BP
Industry's Role in Cheney's Energy Task Force. Essentially the PNAC projects endless economic growth by projecting U.S. military strength into any global oil regions possible. And because all the easy oil is gone, it will take
Xtreme Energy from Afganistan, from the Canadian tar sands, and from rigs like the Deepwater Horizon to fuel the hubris of endless economic growth.
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PLAN B 4.0: MOBILIZING TO SAVE CIVILIZATION ¤ by LESTER BROWNLester Brown has been advocating for ecologically sustainable change for some three decades, first through the World Watch Institute, and now through the
Earth Policy Institute. He and his staff take the most broad and comprehensive view of issues, and apply whole systems thinking to solutions. Plan B 4.0 addresses peak oil, climate disruption, water and food shortages, and population curtailment.
PlanB4-0_Slide Show.pdf___________________________________________________
PLAN C: CURTAILMENT IS THE ACTION, COMMUNITY IS THE CONTEXTPlan A seeks to maintain economic growth by developing unconventional fossil fuels, increased use of “clean” coal and more nuclear power plants.
Plan B also seeks to maintain the status quo, believing this can be done with renewable energy sources.
Plan C focuses on ways to dramatically reduce or “curtail” our per capita energy consumption by reducing the goods and services we use. This is in contrast to “energy efficiency”, which refers to reducing the energy required to produce and use an expanding level of goods and services.
Community is the context for a culture where consumption is not the primary value. Community also describes a culture or way of living where relationships are more important than material goods. In Plan C, the
"C" also stands for contingency as in "contingency plan". Even though it is possible that some breakthrough technology will suddenly make all our concerns go away, it is unlikely. Read more at
Community Solutions___________________________________________________
TRANSITION KANSAS CITY ¤ FILM VIEWING AND DISCUSSIONTuesday,
13 July 2010, 6:30pm
7215 Grandview Dr., Merriam, KS 66204The gathering will start with a pot-luck dinner. Then there will be a short film by Rob Hopkins, followed by a discussion circle. The
Kansas City Transition Initiative is addressing climate disruption and peak oil inflation at the local level, a relocalization effort similar to hundreds of others around the globe.
The
Transition movement was begun by Rob Hopkins in Great Britain
Transition Towns, and in the U.S. it is coordinated by
Transition US based in Sebastapol CA. They help local initiatives with resources and publications, and they have
22 trainers traveling to conduct local training sessions. For more info, or to get on the Kansas City e-mail list, call (816)767-8873, or contact them at
<bkjelshus@sbcglobal.net> ___________________________________________________
LAWRENCE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARDWednesday,
14 July 2010, 5:30pm
Recycling and Resource Recovery Annex, 320 N.E. Industrial Lane, Lawrence KS
The July agenda will
include: . The S.A.B. meets monthly to discuss any and all aspects of furthering sustainability policies and practices by the City of Lawrence government and private persons. The public is welcome. Minutes are finalized in about a month after each meeting
http://www.lawrenceks.org/wrr/envadvisoryboard___________________________________________________
KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSIONWednesday,
14 July 2010, 4:00-6:00pm
Mid America Regional Council,
Rivergate Center 2nd floor, 600 Broadway, KC MOThe Environmental Management Commission promotes environmental awareness and resource efficiency to the City's leader and staff, to assist the progress of Kansas City toward sustainability. Members of the general public are encouraged to attend and observe meetings and to join and participate in its efforts. More information and the EMC April 2009 minutes are available at http://www.kcmo.org/manager.nsf/web/emc___________________________________________________
2,4-D HERBICIDE SPRAY DRIFT PROPOSAL AT DOUGLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONWednesday,
14 July 2010, 6:30pm
Douglas County Courthouse, 11th & Massachusetts St,. Lawrence KS
The Commission will discuss
tightening the restrictions on spraying of the Dow Chemical herbicide
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, a broad leaf herbicide. At issue is the time of the season when spraying may be limited or banned, because the herbicide behaves differently depending on air temperature.
During rainy years, the target weeds flower later, plus the rain delays mowing. So 2,4-D ends up being sprayed more, and at dates later than normal. In cool months, the spray can drift possibly a mile. But
in hot months 2,4-D vaporizes and can drift up to 14 miles. Right now, trees and shrubs and gardens may be suffering leaf curl or brown out, and most owners don't realize why. Specialty crop growers are particularly concerned because 2,4-D spray from their commodity crop neighbors can destroy their entire operation. The Commission agenda is at
Douglas County Commission Agendas.
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ADVANCING RENEWABLES IN THE MIDWEST ¤ UNIV. OF MISSOURI, COLUMBIAThursday,
15 July 2010, 8:00am-5:00pm - $$
Anheuser-Bush Natural Resource Building & Bond Life Science Center Monsanto Auditorium
This annual one-day conference aims to educate and facilitate dialog on current renewable energy and energy efficiency trends and opportunities. The program will include topics of state renewable portfolio standards, residential Energy Star programs, utility and regulatory initiatives to reduce fossil fuels, climate change science and legislation, co-generation and bio-reactor projects, and more. Registration is $25 for non-professionals and $75 for professionals, with a $25 late fee after 2 July. For more info go to
Advancing Renewables in the Midwest 2010: Univ of MO.
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TRANSITION KANSAS CITY ¤ LONG RANGE PLANNING MEETINGSaturday,
17 July 2010, 10:00am-4:00pm
Trail West Library, 11401 East 23rd St. S, Independence, MO, Kansas City MO
This is the second
long range planning session for the group. A facilitator will guide the group through an exercise to focus on strengths and weaknesses of the organization, followed by a strategic planning discussion. The
Kansas City Transition Initiative is addressing climate disruption and peak oil inflation at the local level, a relocalization effort similar to hundreds of others around the globe.
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2ND ANNUAL PERMACULTURE FARM & GARDEN TOUR ¤ KAW VALLEY AREASunday,
18 July 2010, 9:00am-5:00pm - $5
a guided tour of six sites in Lawrence and vicinity
Sponsored by the Sustainability Action Network & the
Kaw Permaculture Collaborative , this will be a guided tour of six permaculture operations, four urban, and two rural. Permaculture is a design science by which we
pattern our surroundings to harmonize with nature rather than to subdue nature. The end result is a farm or garden that is a
low-input, self-organizing, mature polyculture ecosystem. Barring severe weather, the tour will take place rain or shine. Space is limited, so
RSVP at (785)832-1300.
Tour schedule: guided tour in sequence
- 9:00am, Forest Floor Permaculture, 1311 Prairie Ave., Lawrence
- 10:00am, Adamson intensive urban permaculture, Lawrence
- 11:00am, Zell suburban transition permaculture, Lawrence
- 12:00pm, BYO sack lunch, 3033 Kasold Dr., Lawrence
- 1:00pm, Karlin Permaculture Farm, Lawrence
- 2:00pm, Lehrman suburban extensive permaculture, Lawrence
- 3:00pm, Vajra Farm Permaculture, Oskaloosa
For more info call (785)691-7305 or (785)832-1300.
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5TH ANNUAL DIALOG ON SUSTAINABILITY ¤ GREEN JOBSThursday,
22 July 2010, 8:00am-5:00pm - FREE
Leadership Studies Bldg., K-State University, Manhattan KS
Participants in this one-day event are the K-State Sustainability Office, the Horticulture & Forestry Dept., Architecture & Landscape Architecture, the School of Engineering, and several outside agencies. Sessions will be held throughout the day on Kansas wind/renewable energy efforts, "greening" our food systems, and developing a vision for sustainable communities and local economies. Activities will include panel discussions, small group dialogs, posters, exhibits and more. Please pre-register by sending your name and contact information (affiliation, phone and e-mail address) to Sheree Walsh,
smw@ksu.edu. For more info go to
Dialog on Sustainability 2010: K-State U. ___________________________________________________
FOOD NOT LAWNS ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #2210 AWednesdays,
4,11,18,25 August & 8 September 2010, 5 sessions, 7:00-9:00pm
UMKC School of Medicine, Theatre C, 24th & Charlotte Streets, KC MOGrow food not lawns! Increase local food security, improve your diet, beautify your surroundings, build community, reduce pollution and energy use (It takes 87 calories of fuel to transport one calorie of perishable fresh fruit from west coast to east coast). As supporters of the Food Not Lawns national movement, we will hold five sessions dealing with topics that include whole system design, garden preparation, permaculture, water-wise gardening, seed saving, planting, and free resources. Presenters include master and highly-qualified gardeners. Class fee is $16, plus $5 for materials. Register at
UMKC Communiversity. Bring a picture ID. Limit 40. More info at
Food Not Lawns KC, or
<steve@prairietrading.com>.
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URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #2301 ATuesdays,
17 & 24 August 2010, 2 sessions, 7:00-9:00pm
UMKC School of Medicine, Theatre C, 24th & Charlotte Streets, KC MOLearn about a new model for urban sustainable food production. We’ll explore
food production possibilities in the urban forest, abandoned urban lots, yards, commercial lands, roofs and flood plains. We’ll discuss holistic ecology based on managing sustainable urban agriculture systems that protect and restore our place on Earth. Please bring $20 for a reference book (optional). Class fee is $16. Register at
UMKC Communiversity. Bring a picture ID. Limit 20. More info at
Food Not Lawns KC, or
<steve@prairietrading.com>.
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"SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS DESIGN" ¤ K.U. ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING 665Thursday,
19 August 2010, K.U. classes begin
ARCE 665 is one of the only renewable energy classes taught at the University of Kansas. A quantitative and qualitative study of active, passive, wind, and photovoltaic energy conversion systems for buildings. Solar radiation and system performance prediction. Prerequisites: thermodynamics, programming, and math.
Taught by Prof. Brian Rock.
The SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK, Inc. is a Kansas not-for-profit organization. DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED, and checks can be mailed to P.O.Box 1064, Lawrence KS 66044. Our mission is to
advocate and organize societal scale action to address sustainability issues. The triple crises of Energy-Ecology-Economy are building so rapidly that large scale action is needed immediately and methodically to overcome institutional barriers and advance public policy that preserves ecological sustainability. Our focus is to
build a relocalized economy-ecology in concert with the Transition Town movement occurring in many other communities.
To join the Sustainability Action Network please contact us at
<paradigm@ixks.com>Our current projects include:1)
Transition Kaw Valley -
initiating transition to a relocalized post-carbon economy, and municipal level Peak Oil response planning.2)
Kaw Permaculture Collaborative - developing skills and resources for poly-cropping sustainable food production.
3)
Energy Conservation & Renewables - advancing a green economy through decentralized technologies and regulations, for conservation and renewable energy.
4)
Land Consortium - organizing interested stakeholders to acquire prime farmland in the urban fringe for land-based economic development and regional food security.
5)
Water Rights and Watersheds - protecting the water commons, the source of all life, from privatization and contamination, and restoring our watersheds.
6)
Electric & Human Powered Vehicles - promoting neighborhood electric vehicles and utility tricycles, including infrastructure and pro-active regulations.
7)
Weekly Sustainability Announcements - informing and encouraging others to become active in the Sustainability Action Network, or other action driven groups.
8)
Collaboration with sister organizations - such as:
The Light Center eco-village; Kaw Valley Food System farm-based economic development; Citizens for Responsible Planning; Films for Action; Kansas River Valley Growers fighting for local water rights;
national efforts by the Sustainable Energy Network; KC Metro groups like the Kansas City Food Circle and the All Species Project, etc.
We welcome suggestions for items to be included. Please send items to <paradigm@ixks.com>To subscribe to this list, please send an e-mail to
<paradigm@ixks.com> with the subject line reading “subscribe to Sustainability Announcements”.
If you do not care to continue on this announcements list, please respond "unsubscribe to Sustainability Announcements" at
<paradigm@ixks.com> 
