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RESPONSIBLE ENERGY VS. FUKUSHIMA DAI-ICHI
IMF calls for strategic taxes on energy to curb environmental damage
Energy taxes in much of the world are far below what they should be to reflect the harmful environmental and health impact of fossil fuels use, the International Monetary Fund said in a new book. Under its chief, Christine Lagarde, the IMF has delved into the impact of climate change, arguing that tackling the fund's core mission of economic instability is impossible without also addressing environmental damage. Progress toward global greenhouse gas emission control has been slow as nations fret about the impact any measures could have on economic growth. The IMF's book argues higher energy taxes should not hurt growth if done right. Higher energy taxes would prompt people to shift to cleaner fuels or more fuel-efficient vehicles on their own, allowing governments to lower other taxes on consumption or income. Read more at - IMF urges higher energy taxes to fight climate change.
We suggest readers avail themselves of the following sources for news on the nuclear demise: Japan for Sustainability - http://www.japanfs.org/; Japan Focus - http://japanfocus.org/; Fukush
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KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Wednesday, 13 August 2014, 4:00-6:00pm
Mid America Regional Council, Rivergate Center 2nd floor, 600 Broadway, KC MO
The Environmental
Management Commission promotes
environmental awareness and resource efficiency to the City's
leaders and staff, to assist the progress of Kansas City toward
sustainability. The General public is encouraged to attend and
observe meetings and to join and participate in its efforts.
More information is at KC
Environmental Mgt Commission
______________________________LAWRENCE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, 13 August 2014,
5:30pm
The August agenda includes: Bicycle & Pedestrian Advocacy/Advisory Committee, and ClearPath GHG emissions inventory results. 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/
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Public Works Conference Room, City Hall ground floor,
6 East 6th St., Lawrence KS 66044
The August agenda includes: Bicycle & Pedestrian Advocacy/Advisory Committee, and ClearPath GHG emissions inventory results. 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/
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LAWRENCE PEDESTRIAN COALITION
Wednesday, 13 August 2014, 7:00pm
Carnegie Building Conference Room, 200 West 9th St., Lawrence KS 66044
The August agenda is not yet available. The Lawrence Pedestrian Coalition is a joint effort of the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods and the League of Women Voters. Monthly meetings are open to the public. For more info go to Lawrence Pedestrian Coalition, or contact Laura Routh
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION ¤ MEMBER
MEETING
Thursday, 14 August
2014, 6:30pm
Lawrence Creates, 512 E 9th St. (9th and
NJ), Lawrence KS 66044
Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy
Possible discussion topics:
Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy
Possible discussion topics:
- How to make a Board Capacity Plan
- Board member recruitment
- Begin planning Sustainability Action 2015budget
- Begin planning Annual Giving Campaign
- 3-year turnkey plan for both community gardens
- KPC hosting Jan Spencer talk & workshop
- Perma-blitz planning
- Plans for reskilling workshops
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KKFI COMMUNITY RADIO ¤ ECOLOGICAL SHOWS THIS WEEK
Listen
at KKFI-FM 90.1, or web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/
(courtesy Mike Murphy, KKFI Programming Committee)
Friday, 15 August 2014, 9:30am ¤ Bioneers Radio Series
Bioneers presents "Hanging On: Treetop Truths for Disruptive Times". "Queen of the forest canopy" Nalini Nadkarni is riding a new current of innovative scientists uncovering previously unexplored wonders in the forest canopy. Her imaginative passion supersedes the boundaries of science to inspire and enlist people from all walks of life, transforming the truth of trees into environmental and social healing.
Saturday, 16 August 2014, 2:30pm ¤ Women's International News Gathering Service
On this week's installment of WINGS will be "Women Against Nuclear Power from Fukushima to SanOnofre". Demonstrating, educating, lobbying - women are translating the lessons of nuclear power disasters into policy demands. Sometimes they win. Participants include Ayako Oga, demonstrator in Tokyo; Mary Beth Brangan, filmmaker and anti-nuclear activist; Miki Bay, Fukushima survivor; US Senator Barbara Boxer; and the late Barbara George, founder and director of Women's Energy Matters.
Monday, 18 August 2014, 6:00pm ¤ locally produced Eco-Radio KC
This week's EcoRadioKC will have have another of their ecologically minded shows.
______________________________(courtesy Mike Murphy, KKFI Programming Committee)
Friday, 15 August 2014, 9:30am ¤ Bioneers Radio Series
Bioneers presents "Hanging On: Treetop Truths for Disruptive Times". "Queen of the forest canopy" Nalini Nadkarni is riding a new current of innovative scientists uncovering previously unexplored wonders in the forest canopy. Her imaginative passion supersedes the boundaries of science to inspire and enlist people from all walks of life, transforming the truth of trees into environmental and social healing.
Saturday, 16 August 2014, 2:30pm ¤ Women's International News Gathering Service
On this week's installment of WINGS will be "Women Against Nuclear Power from Fukushima to SanOnofre". Demonstrating, educating, lobbying - women are translating the lessons of nuclear power disasters into policy demands. Sometimes they win. Participants include Ayako Oga, demonstrator in Tokyo; Mary Beth Brangan, filmmaker and anti-nuclear activist; Miki Bay, Fukushima survivor; US Senator Barbara Boxer; and the late Barbara George, founder and director of Women's Energy Matters.
Monday, 18 August 2014, 6:00pm ¤ locally produced Eco-Radio KC
This week's EcoRadioKC will have have another of their ecologically minded shows.
KANSAS AND MISSOURI FARMERS' MARKET DIRECTORIES
(courtesy of Cole Cottin & Linda Cottin)
New season, new markets, new hours - find what's new this year. In order to find any of dozens of farmers' markets in Kansas and Missouri, use these searchable data bases for both states. They are - Kansas Farmers' Market Search by Location, Missouri Farmers' Market Search by Location, and Missouri Farmers' Market Search by Map. Wherever you are, there is probably a market nearby!
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DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOD
POLICY COUNCIL
Monday, 18 August 2014,
7:00pm
Lawrence Public Library, 7th
& Vermont St., Lawrence KS 66044The Food Policy Council seeks to identify the benefits, challenges and opportunities for a successful, sustainable local food system. By advising the Douglas County Commission on public policies that will support local producers, preserve local agricultural resources and land, and create more local jobs, the F.P.C. hopes to improve the community's access to a local food supply and distribution networks. For more info go to Dg County Food Policy Council.
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LAWRENCE
BICYCLE
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
Tuesday, 19 August 2014, 5:00pm
Eudora Parks &
Recreation,1638 Elm St, Eudora KS
The August
agenda
is not yet
available.
The Bicycle
Advisory
Committee
works to
improve
bicycle safety
and awareness
through
education of
motorists and
non-motorists,
develops
bicycle plans
and maps, and
advises the
City and
County
Commissions on
bicycle
priorities and
needs. The
agenda and
information
can be
downloaded atBicycle
Advisory Comm
| agendas.
______________________________CITIZEN CLIMATE LOBBY ¤ LAWRENCE CHAPTER MEETING
Wednesday, 20 August 2014, 7:00pm
Lawrence Public Library, Meeting Room A, 707 Vermont St. Lawrence, KS 66044
(courtesy Emily Reno)
Citizens Climate Lobby is an all-volunteer,
bi-partisan organization that works to inspire the political
will for a livable climate. They advocate for
carbon-fee-and-dividend as one solution to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions while returning the money to households in order to
offset the tax and make alternative energies more attractive
investments. Bring a dish to share on Saturday and listen to
the National Call live! For more information contact Emily Reno
at 785.840.6880 or Frank Schawaller at 785.550.1939.,
or visit their website - citizensclimatelobby.org.
"DIG IN!" DINNER WITH FRIENDS & FARMERS ¤ CULTIVATE K.C.
Sunday, 21 September 2013, 6:30pm - $$$
Historic City Market, 20 East 5th St., Kansas City MO 64106
Cultivate Kansas City, a not-for-profit that educates and organizes around local urban agriculture, is holding their annual fundraising dinner to share good food, camaraderie, and this year's successes at growing more growers in Kansas City. The dinner will be under the stars at the Historic City Market, prepared by chefs Michael Foust, Charles d'Ablaing, and Renee Kelly, who specialize in farm-to-table cuisine. For more info, and to sign up to attend, go to - Dig In, KC: Cultivate KC community dinner.
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THE GREAT MARCH FOR CLIMATE ACTION
Sunday, 21 September 2014
New York City, NY
The Great March for Climate Action began in Los Angeles, California on March 1, 2014. They have traveled on average 15 miles per day through Arizona, Colorado, and Nebraska (the focal point of the Keystone Pipeline), are now in Des Moines IA, and will end in Washington, DC, on 1 November - The Great March for Climate Action. However, President Obama and many of the world's leaders will meet in NYC in September for a climate summit called by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. So several contingents of marchers are traveling ahead by bus and train to be in New York on 21 September to put pressure on the gathered leaders to take bold, ambitious and just climate action.
The folks with Bold Nebraska have organized a People's Climate Train (Amtrak) offering a 10% discount off normal rates for folks traveling to the march, which will depart from Nebraska on 16 September, reach the Chicago area on 17 September, and New York City in time for the march on 21 September. Can you travel to NYC for the 21 Sept Climate March? Click here for some travel options.
A pipeline organizer in Kansas, Lori Lawrence, has chartered a bus to NYC for the march, which will originate in Wichita KS and make stops in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis MO, on the way to New York. Several Pipeline Fighters have already purchased tickets to join this round-trip bus ride, and tickets still remain. Click here for details on the chartered bus from Kansas to NYC.
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NONVIOLENT PROTESTS PLANNED FOR WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA DECIDES ON KEYSTONE XL
Between the release dates of the Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), it became clear that the State Department and their hired contractor had gamed the system with flawed conclusions by the consultant, ERM, Inc. Over 100,000 citizens have signed a "pledge of resistance". Each person committed to risk arrest if necessary to stop Keystone XL, and President Obama has felt pressure in a way he never had before. It is thought his decision may occur unannounced, so protectors of the land and air need to be ready when the time comes.
With over 400 volunteer action leaders trained in 25 cities nationwide, the local sit-in actions will be deployed when and if the Obama Administration recommends approval of Keystone XL. Chances are there's one near you. To stop Keystone XL, you can take the next step and sign up with your local pledge action. You can Find your nearest Pledge of Resistance action and sign up to be part of it. The passive resistance actions will be at places like the State Department, EPA and Federal offices, oil industry contractor ERM offices, and branches of TD Bank. If you click the above link and plug in your zip code, you will learn where the nearest action is to you.
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NORTH AMERICAN PERMACULTURE CONVERGENCE
Friday-Sunday, 29-31 August 2014 - $$$
Harmony Park Outdoor Center, 79503 298th Street, Clarks Grove, MN 56016
This is going to be a gathering of hundreds of permaculturists, from long time practitioners to new initiates, PDC instructors, growers, professional consultants, researchers, and organizers. The program will include a keynote by David Holmgren (by Skype), dozens of workshops, discussion groups, working groups, presentations and talks, a vendor and outreach exposition, a seed exchange, a bioregional caucus, and much more. A co-sponsor is theKansas Permaculture Institute. The setting of Harmony Park is quite inspiring itself, consisting of several permaculture projects such as the Center for Deep Ecology and Wild Again Permaculture Food Forest - Harmony Park Permaculture. Lots more info and the early bird registration rates until 15 August can be found at - http://
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MERCURY POLLUTION: A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS
Tuesday, 9 September 2014, 6:30pm
Overland Park Lutheran Church, 7810 W. 79th St., Overland Park KS 66204
Craig Volland, Chair of Sierra's Air Quality Committee, will be making this presentation. Half of the top predatory fish in the U.S. lakes are seriously contaminated with mercury, prompting Kansas to intensify its fish consumption warning for large mouthed bass. The mercury menace is analogous to climate disruption with coal burning being the cause of both. Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin, and is of special concern to women who are pregnant, or for children during development before birth or in the first few years of life. Of the 25 largest mercury polluting coal plants, #2 is Missouri's Amaren Labadie Energy Center in Franklin County MO, and #25 is Kansas' Westar Jeffrey Energy Center in St. Mary's KS - America's Biggest Mercury Polluters. Craig's knowledge of mercury contamination began with his attending the First International Conference on Mercury as Pollutant in 1990 in Gavle, Sweden.
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AUTUMN UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
PERMACULTURE IN THE SUBURBS ¤ TALK & WORKSHOP BY JAN SPENCER
Free evening talk: - FREE
Wednesday, 24 September 2014, 6:30pm
Co-op Extension Service, Dreher Building, 2110 Harper St., Lawrence KS 66046
Inexpensive day workshop: - $$
Saturday, 27 September2014, 12:00noon-5:00pm
Fire Station #5, 19th St. at Stewart Ave., Lawrence KS 66046
The Kansas Permaculture Collaborative is proud to bring to Lawrence,Jan Spencer, to give two presentations on "Permaculture In The Suburbs". As part of the early wave of permaculturists, Jan has transformed his quarter acre suburban property in Eugene OR into a highly sustainable and productive permaculture and solar homestead. Jan has been organizing and promoting permaculture for 25 years, and is currently a hub of activity among his neighbors and the greater Eugene community. He previously devoted time to gaining a college geography degree, fighting nuke plants and computer chip plants, living communally in the Ozarks, acquiring urban planning literacy, and reducing his ecological footprint. Jan's presentations will cover: a history of suburbia, the peak oil and climate reasons for transforming suburbia, suburban transformative elements, Eugene assets and case examples, sustainable urban planning, resource reallocation and reprioritization, and the overall benefits for ecology-economy-energy. Learn more at Jan's website - Suburban Permaculture - Eugene OR.
PRAIRIE FESTIVAL 2014 AT THE LAND INSTITUTE
Friday-Sunday, 26-28 September 2014 - $$
The Land Institute, 2440 East Water Well Road, Salina, KS 67401
This annual meeting of the eco-social-agro activists takes place on the land in amphitheaters, barns, meeting rooms and camp grounds. Speakers include Dr. Ted Burk, Kristine Tompkins, Dr. Ken Levy-Church, and more. Films and tours will also be featured over the weekend. Registration is open with info and a form at - The Land Institute - 2014 Prairie Festival.
GROWING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ¤ 7TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 October 2014, 9:00am - 6:00pm - $$$
Grand River Center, 500 Bell St., Dubuque IA 52011
Dubuque is one of the most captivating and "sustainable" cities in the Midwest. The city's 12 sustainability principles provide a framework for its strategic planning process. Collaboration will be a common thread in the keynote addresses, in the more than 20 workshops and tours, and in the exhibits. Storm Cunningham, CEO of ReCitizen, will present the luncheon keynote address on Tuesday. Gil Penalosa, A former commissioner of Bogota, Colombia, will give the luncheon keynote on Wednesday. Penalosa is passionate about using parks and streets as both public places and avenues of sustainable mobility for walking, cycling and public transit. Workshops will include: complete streets, effective stakeholder engagement, outdoor LED lighting, urban forestry, and more. Registration for the conference is now open at http://gscdubuque.eventbrite.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR
Saturday-Sunday, 25-26 October 2014, 9:00am-7:00pm - $$
Kansas Expo Center, 17th & Topeka Blvd., Topeka KS 66612
Mother Earth News, the long running journal of ecological lifestyles, has held popular fairs in Lawrence KS, Puyallup WA and Seven Springs PA. This year the midwest fair will move to Topeka KS where Mother Earth News is based. It's a fun-filled, family-oriented sustainable lifestyle events that feature dozens of practical, hands-on demonstrations and workshops from the leading authorities on: Renewable Energy, Small-Scale Agriculture, Gardening, Green Building, Green Transportation and Natural Health. And a full slate of exciting, informative workshops are dedicated for children ages 17 and under, who are admitted free. There also will be dozens of inspiring speakers such as Joel Salatin, Gary Paul Nabham, Sylvia Bernstein, Bryan Welch, Ira Wallace, and more. Along with dozens of national booths, there will be many local booths including: Sustainability Action, The Kansas Rural Center, Good Energy Solutions, Climate & Energy Project, Green Wish Kansas, Maggies Farm, and more. For more info go to - Mother Earth News Fair_Topeka_2014.
We welcome suggestions for Newsletter items. Please send items to
Join the Sustainability Action Network by clicking this link - Become a Sustainability Action Member - and follow the instructions. The Sustainability Action mission is to bring awareness of the global crisis caused by climate change, energy vulnerability and economic instability to communities in the Kansas River bioregion, and the tools needed to re-skill and re-localize our economy and create a more socially just and ecologically sustainable world.
Sustainability Action Programs include:
1) Kansas Permaculture
Institute- formal
training of permaculture designers, and issuing them
PDC Certificates - Kansas
Permaculture Institute.
5) Sustainability Action Newsletter- informing and encouraging people to be active in the Sustainability Action Network, or other action-driven groups.
2) Kansas
Permaculture Collaborative
- freely
and informally sharing knowledge and resources about
sustainable food production and dwellings -Kansas
Permaculture Collaborative.
3) Bicycles
&
Alternative Transportation
- promoting
bicycles, complete streets, ride sharing, and electric
vehicles, including infrastructure and pro-active
regulations - Lawrence
OnBoard | Community Supported Transportation
4) Local
Community Currency-
fostering money literacy, and implementing a
local currency, either cash or electronic or both,
that will transition to a
sustainable local economy and weather global
economic instability.
5) Sustainability Action Newsletter- informing and encouraging people to be active in the Sustainability Action Network, or other action-driven groups.
6) Energy Conservation & Renewables - reducing our carbon footprint by promoting a carbon diet, an energy diet, conservation, and decentralized renewable energy.
7) Prime Farmland Preservation - protecting Capability I & II farmland from urban development and industrial land uses.
8) Water Rights and Watersheds - protecting the water commons from privatization and contamination, and restoring watersheds.
9) Collaboration with sister organizations
- building synergy with the
combined talents and creativity of like-minded groups
to achieve a transition to sustainable local
economies.
Groups such as: Films
for Action; The
Light Center eco-village; churches and civic groups; Kaw
River Valley Food System farm-based economic
development; Cultivate
Kansas City;Transition
Kansas City; Kansas River Valley Growers
fighting for local water rights; the National Sustainable Energy
Network; the Kansas
City Food Circle, and more.
Sustainability Action sponsored organizations:
1) Lawrence Creates - local tool sharing, recycling, and community shared innovation incubator - Lawrence Creates
2) Lawrence Fruit Tree Project - educating and inspiring the community to grow and steward perennial food plants and increase local food sovereignty - Lawrence Fruit Tree Project
Sustainability Action sponsored organizations:
1) Lawrence Creates - local tool sharing, recycling, and community shared innovation incubator - Lawrence Creates
2) Lawrence Fruit Tree Project - educating and inspiring the community to grow and steward perennial food plants and increase local food sovereignty - Lawrence Fruit Tree Project
"THE TRANSITION COMPANION" ¤ AVAILABLE FOR $27
As a guidebook for local transition communities, Rob Hopkins has published this sequel to the original Transition Handbook. For your copy, e-mail Michael at
To subscribe to this newsletter, please click this link » Subscribe to the Sustainability Action Newsletter. Enter your name and e-mail address, and follow the instructions. The system will send you a confirmation message with a "Confirmation Link" which you MUST click in order to complete your subscription confirmation. If you don't get the confirmation message, check in your junk mail folder for blocked as spam.
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