Hi folks, This is an effort to address matters of stewardship of the community and the environment together. Let me know if you are interested. Eric
Hydro-fracking and becoming informed stewards of the environment: How can we move forward as a community? On December 3, 7-10 p.m., Area Congregations Together and Shared Journeys invite you to explore the complex issue of gas drilling in light of our sacred and moral obligations to be stewards of our environment and our community. We will address the issues as matters of practicing faith and science to become informed stewards for years and decades to come. We welcome participation from spiritual and religious disciplines of non-theists and theists of all traditions. Breakout groups will assist local citizens with understanding, sharing concerns and insights, and living out a commitment to stewardship as our community addresses issues relating to natural gas extraction in our region. Two scientists will address what we know, don’t know, assume, and need to be concerned about: Dr. A. R. (Tony) Ingraffea, Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering at the Cornell School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, holds a Ph.D. in rock fracture mechanics and, in 32 years at Cornell, has performed basic research into computer simulation of hydraulic fracturing processes for Schlumberger, Ltd. He serves as Director of the Cornell Fracture Group and is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Engineering Fracture Mechanics Journal. Dr. Linda P. Wagenet is Senior Extension Associate in the Department of Development Sociology at Cornell University. Her research area is citizen participation in environmental management, focusing on water resources. Linda is a member of the Tompkins County Water Resources Council and is a member of the ad hoc Gas Drilling Committee. She has an M.S. in Water Pollution/Water Chemistry from the University of California, Davis and a Ph.D. in Adult Environmental Education from Cornell University. She is a member of First Congregational Church, Ithaca, NY. Framing the conversation will be Eric Clay, M.Div., Ph.D., of Shared Journeys, whose expertise in the practices of science and faith will open the session. Clay works with individuals, families and communities to develop relationships that foster innovative thinking and responses to seemingly intractable issues. He is a clinically trained chaplain who has worked directly in the practices of many of the world’s religions, with a special emphasis on dealing with conflict. He holds a Cornell doctorate in economic and community development planning, addressing issues of faith and reason in public life. Whether or not hydro-fracking goes forward, and whether or not people choose to sign leases for drilling rights, the gains and losses will occur in many different and often unforeseeable ways. How can we anticipate working together as citizens of a common region? How can we document and make decisions about the use of the environment and the well-being of the people living in it? Over the years and decades ahead, how can we be resilient and fairly share in the losses and gains across the community, the nation and the globe? Following the presentations, participants will move among three different opportunities: 1) to explore what participants can do to respond to our politicians, state and federal regulators, 2) to promote understanding the intricacies of the science involved, and 3) to identify and discuss what individuals and communities can do to “keep faith” with each other and the environment, regardless of their positions on drilling or regulations. Organized by: Rose Mandl and Marion Potts Co-sponsored by: Shared Journeys and Area Congregations Together Time: 7:00 –10:00 p.m., Thursday, December 3, 2009 Location: Tikkun v’Or (Ithaca Reform Temple) 2550 North Triphammer Road (corner of Burdick Hill Road) Ithaca, NY 14850 For more information, contact: [email protected]; 607-592-6874 Eric Clay, M.Div., Ph.D. Community Coach Shared Journeys, Inc. 832 North Aurora Street Ithaca, NY 14850 607-592-6874 [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) sharedjourneys.net (under construction) SHARED JOURNEYS That all may thrive and none be excluded _______________________________________________ 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
