*Growing a Sustainable Community* April 17 (evening) – 18
at Broome Community College Register. Spread the word. Register Online at: http://www.binghamtonsustainability.org/index.php?/test/bcc-sustainability-conference/ *Broome** Community College** * Upper Front Street, Binghamton, NY Directions: Take Exit #5 off of Interstate 81. Turn Right onto Front Street going north. Follow signs for Broome Community College on Left. Take North entrance (College Dr.) to Student Center (SC). (See Map: (see Map: http://web.sunybroome.edu/security/parkingmap.php) (FREE Parking anywhere on campus) Many practices we engage in today endanger the prospects of a strong, healthy tomorrow. This two day conference will explore various elements of what it means to plan and act as if the future mattered A keynote address will begin the event on Friday evening, followed by workshops and plenary sessions on Saturday which will include panels of elected officials and specialists in the fields of energy, green architecture, transportation, resource utilization, waste reduction, sustainable agriculture, green jobs, economic justice, and community engagement. Friday April 17, 2009 Registration 6:30 to 7:30 PM BCC Student Center, Main Entrance Keynote* *Friday 7:30 BCC Student Center, Cafeteria What does it mean to be sustainable? What does a sustainable community look like? What needs to be in place for Sustainability to be a reality? We’ll set the stage for what, hopefully will be an ongoing conversation on how we, as a community, can plan and act as if the future mattered. Welcome -Chris Burger, Chair, Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition Speakers: Donna Lupardo, Assemblywoman, NYS 126th Assembly District Gay Nicholson, Program Coordinator, Sustainable Tompkins Reception Saturday April 18, 2009 Registration 8:00 to 9:00 AM BCC Student Center, Main Entrance Plenary on Sustainable Energy Systems* *(Experts and Policy Makers) 9:00 to 10:30 Energy is a key resource, yet continued reliance on fossil fuels has left us vulnerable economically as well as environmentally. Increasing energy efficiency and transitioning to alternative/renewable energy is imperative. What is being considered on the local, state, and national level to facilitate a more sustainable energy tomorrow is the focus of this plenary. Workshops:* *10:45 to 12:00 *1. Green Buildings * Panel will cover the Green Movement from its roots in the 70s to its current popularity. Presenters represent many years of professional design and construction experience relative to energy and sustainability. Material to be discussed will include building and site design, alternative energy, code issues, Green Washing, best insulating practices and government grants. *2. Sustainable Transportation * We know our transportation system will need to change. What does a sustainable transportation system look like and how are we planning for it? This workshop will look at transportation’s role in growing a sustainable community, first from a global perspective, and then focus on efforts being made on a regional/local level to improve safety and encourage more to choose pedestrian & bicycle modes of transportation. *3. Closing the Resource Loop: Zero Waste * In a finite world, with finite resources, we cannot continue to consume resources in the linear fashion we’ve been accustomed to. This workshop will explore the strategies necessary to create “closed loops” or what is becoming known as “cradle-to cradle” product design. Sustainable resource utilization entails using our finite resources more efficiently while eliminating waste. Plenary on Sustainable Food Systems* *(Experts and Policy Makers). 1:00 to 2:30 Across the nation and the world, the distance between farmers and consumers is growing, and both groups are increasingly struggling to make ends meet. However, there is a growing movement to create a food system that meets the needs of all its participants—a food system that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. This plenary will bring together a variety of individuals representing different sectors of the food system to discuss the current state of food system and their vision for how we can create a sustainable food system in our community. Workshops:* *2:45 to 4:00 *4. **Green Jobs: State, Regional and Local Dispatches on the Emerging Green Job Sector * A transition to more sustainable practices and a greener, cleaner economy promises the creation of many new jobs, with estimates from the millions to the hundreds of thousands. This workshop will include discussions on what defines a green job, leading sectors in the green economy, and regional and local strategies to both prepare our workforce for these opportunities and incentivize job creation and retention. From a statewide analysis of Green Jobs to blue-green alliances, and from Green Workforce Academies to billions in weatherization and energy efficiency work, this expert panel will offer a powerful primer on the emerging green job sector. *5. Economic Justice * The environmental movement virtually ignored social justice the last time around. Now integrated with sustainability, the inter-relationship of environmental justice and economic justice is becoming evermore apparent. Can we address both issues together? You bet! Panelists will discuss the roles of labor, education, and the criminal justice system in achieving economic justice. *6. Community Engagement * For democracy to work citizens must become active participants in the public realm. This workshop will explore efforts by WSKG, the Binghamton Neighborhood Assemblies, Broome Community College’s Center for Civic Engagement and Citizen Action to engage citizens in the great issues of the day. -- ---------------------------------------------------- Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-220-8991 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 [email protected] Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator www.sustainabletompkins.org _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins Questions about the list? ask [email protected] free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
