"If the national mental illness of the United States is megalomania, then Canada's is paranoid schizophrenia" - Margaret Atwood
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TRANS-CANADA SUES THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FOR DENYING KEYSTONE XL
Are our national laws valid in controlling our sovereign international borders? TransCanada Corporation seems to think that national laws are trumped by corporate controlled trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). While President Obama followed our laws by which he is to issue a Presidential permit for commercial crossings of our international borders based on State Department findings in an Environmental Assessment, TransCanada claims that our Constitution relegates decisions over international commerce to Congress, not the President. So TransCanada is suing the Obama administration in the U.S. District Court in Houston TX, as well as filing a claim through the NAFTA Tribunal, the judges of which are chosen by corporations. They seek to recover more than $15 billion in costs and damages it alleges it suffered "from the United States’s breach of its NAFTA obligations". James Rubin, an environmental regulatory lawyer with Dorsey & Whitney, said that courts have generally found that cross border pipeline decisions fall within the president’s discretion. And Canadian Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said she expects that TransCanada will lose its NAFTA claim if not the lawsuit too. "The larger economic power virtually always wins", said May, a lawyer by training. Read more at - TransCanada sues the Obama administration for rejecting Keystone XL pipeline.
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SOUTHERN SOIL HEALTH CONFERENCE
Tuesday-Wednesday, 12-13 January 2016 - $$$
Ardmore Convention Center, 2401 North Rockford Rd., Ardmore OK 73401
This conference brings together soil scientists, ranchers, farmers, and professionals from Green Cover Seed Co., all with the focus of improving crops and livestock by building soil health with cover crops. Speakers will include Dr. Allan Williams, world renowned grazing expert, Keith Berns, Green Cover Seed co-owner, Steve Tucker, western Nebraska farmer, Max Martin, Loving TX rancher, and many more. New this year are child and family activities and a Tuesday evening meal included in the registration fee. For more info and to register, go to - Southern Soil Health Conference 2016.
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KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Wednesday, 13 January 2016, 4:00-6:00pm
Mic 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 Management Commission.
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LAWRENCE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, 13 January 2016, 5:30pm
Public Works Confr. Room, City Hall ground floor, 6 East 6th St., Lawrence KS 66044
The January agenda includes an S.A.B. representative to the Food Policy Council, coordination with the Planning Commission, City energy efficiency updates, issues before the City Commission, and the S.A.B. sub-committees including the plastic bag restrictions issue. 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 - Sustainability Advisory Board.
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LAWRENCE PEDESTRIAN COALITION
Wednesday, 13 January 2016, 7:00pm
Carnegie Building Conference Room, 200 West 9th St., Lawrence KS 66044
The January 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 Erin Paden
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION MEETING
Thursday, 14 January 2016, 6:30pm
Jayhawk Room, Fire Station #5, 19th & Iowa St., Lawrence KS 66046
Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy
Planned agenda topics are: single use bag restriction in Lawrence, 2016 Budget, 2016 Annual meeting planning, reusable bag logo design competition, silent auction fund raiser, website restoration.
Everyone is welcome - Sustainability Action
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KKFI COMMUNITY RADIO - ECOLOGICAL SHOWS THIS WEEK
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or link to web-streaming at KKFI 90.1 FM
(courtesy, Mike Murphy, KKFI Programming Committee)
Wednesday, 13 January 2016, 9:00am - Alternative Radio
Today's presentation will be "Solutions to the Climate Crisis", by Tim Flannery of Australia, a major voice in chronicling the effects of climate change and proposing solutions. The Paris Climate Change summit has come and gone. The results? The world leaders who gathered in Paris were falling over themselves congratulating one another on what they saw as an historic achievement. But what was agreed upon was the equivalent of applying band aids where surgery is required. The future of the planet is at stake. We need solutions not placebos. (this supposedly ran last week, but their schedule says it will play today)
Friday, 15 January 2016, 9:30am - Bioneers Radio Series
Bioneers presents "Reinhabit, Rehydrate, Regenerate: Permaculture Designs for an Enduring Planet". Join master permaculture designers Darren Doherty and Brock Dolman for both practical and poetic ways to re-educate earthlings in soil and water literacy. Their practical vision for regenerating ecological integrity and social resiliency prepares us for the challenges of climate change and environmental stress. But above all, they illuminate inspired pathways for restoring nature and people in the re-enchantment of Earth.
Monday, 18 January 2016, 6:00pm - locally produced Eco-Radio KC
The Eco Radio KC program will feature Jenny Slaughter of the Atomic Resource Coalition. She is in town for a Town Hall Meeting for Kansas City/Honeywell workers to help with toxic exposure claims. She'll explain on tonight's program.
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CLIMATE DISRUPTION AND THE COASTAL AND ISLAND NATIONS OF THE ASIAN-PACIFIC
Because most people have little ability to visualize or to translate abstract data into present reality, the prospect of climate disruption is easily dismissed as "maybe in the future". They need tangible expressions to admit something really is occurring, and won't act until they experience it personally. If gradual warming of the atmosphere by tenths of a degree is too subtle for these people, one phenomenon that right now has real consequences is the impact of rising oceans on the coastal and island nations of the Asian-Pacific. These coastal and island nations are the canaries in the coal mine for how rising oceans will inundate major coastal cities like Miami, New Orleans, Galveston, Sacramento, Venice Italy, Shanghai, Melbourne Australia, and hundreds of more - Rising Seas - Interactive map: If All The Ice Melted.
The South Pacific is the bellwether for the ocean changes to come. Some predictions are that the current level of greenhouse gases has already locked in a 4 foot rise in the oceans, even if humans stop producing any more GHG emissions now. There are two in-depth reports from the Asia-Pacific Journal relating climate consequences in terms of increased severity of storms and of rising sea levels. Bangladesh is the most exposed country to worsening climatic events, battered by cyclones of ever-higher intensity and ever-greater frequency. Cyclone Sidr and Cyclone Aila tore through the country in 2007 and 2009, though such intense storms usually are more like 30 years apart. The east-central Philippines was devastated in 2013 by superstorm Haiyan. Fishing communities that lived only one meter above sea level were washed away, leaving 13 million Filipinos reeling from this disaster. If such poignant stories don't spur climate action out of heartfelt care, at least they should be a warning for self preservation in nations not yet so drastically affected. Learn more in these two very well reported stories - There Once Was an Island (including a video), and Ground Zero of Climate Change: Coastal and Island Nations of the Asia-Pacific.
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SEED SAVERS KC WINTER SEED EXCHANGE - 4TH ANNUAL
Saturday, 16 January 2016, 11:00am-2:00pm - FREE, but bring seeds to barter
Hampton Inn and Suites., 4600 Summit Kansas City MO 64110
(courtesy Dayna McDaniel)
This is Kansas City's 4th annual organic, non-GE seed exchange. This is a place to bring something and get something. Items featured in this event include: organic, heirloom, non-GE vegetable, herb & flower seeds, starter plants, shrubs, vines, bulbs, fermentation starters like kombucha, kefir grains, food grade essential oils, skin products, soaps, free range eggs, honey, bread starters, seed jewelry and much MUCH more - door prizes and free samples too. Please bring a little, take a little, bring a lot, take a lot. Items brought to share must be packaged, labeled and dated. All are welcome, come learn about our expanding Seed Library, proper seed harvesting, saving and planting. Join the revolution and promote organic biodiversity in your community, your yard and your home. For more information go to - Seed Savers Kansas City, or contact Dana McDaniel at
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EARTH CARE FORUM - FOSSIL FUEL DIVESTMENT
Sunday, 17 January 2016, 9:40am - FREE
First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Prkwy., Lawrence KS 66047 (at Crestline Dr.)
This week's topic for the Earth Care Forums will be "Fossil Fuel Divestment, an Overview of the Rational for Such Action". This week's speaker will be Ed Thompson, member of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Curriculum Task Force of the Presbyterian Church. The Forums will be held in the Fireside Room (enter at south entry off parking lot, then immediately on the left). Other forums will be held on 24 January, 31 January, and 7 February.
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SIERRA CLUB FORUM - FOSSIL FUEL DIVESTMENT
Tuesday, 19 February 2016, 6:30pm - FREE
Overland Park Lutheran Church, 7810 west 79th St., Overland Park, KS 66204
The Kanza Group of the Sierra Club will present a forum titled "Divestment: An Important Tool to Reduce Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels". Fossil fuel divestment is the removal of investment assets including stocks, bonds, and investment funds from companies involved in extracting fossil fuels. This strategy applies pressure where corporations are primarily focused in an attempt to reduce the impacts of the climate crisis. Jim Horlacher and John Kurmann will discuss how individuals and institutions can divest. They will also present the strategies they used to convince Kansas City Missouri to divest. More info at http://www.kansas.sierraclub.
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RESPONSIBLE ENERGY VS. FUKUSHIMA DAI-ICHI
Koch-heads (there are more than two) are attacking rooftop solar electricity.
Recently, solar and wind industries and activists in Kansas beat back much of a rate increase by Westar Energy before the Kansas Corporation Commission, that would have imposed a $50 per month fee on rooftop solar, plus a $27 per month fixed service charge. This kind of anti-solar activism by fossilized corporatists has been popping up in many states in a centrally orchestrated campaign. But the most damaging one so far has been in Nevada, where NV Energy (owned by Warren Buffet) won a ruling by the Nevada Public Utilities Commission to increase fees on homes and offices that have rooftop solar, and reduce payments for the electricity they generate, causing some customer bills to jump by 200-300%. But the State's Consumer Protection Bureau is crying foul - and calling for a suspension of the anti-solar measures until appeals can be heard in court.
Aside from being a huge disincentive for solar electricity and a huge boost for coal and nuclear electricity, this regulatory ruling throws a wrench into the Nevada economy. The innovative and progressive owner of Tesla Motors, Elon Musk, also owns the biggest U.S. rooftop solar provider, Solar City Corp. While he's savy and rich, he has decided that he can't make money under circumstances dictated by Warren Buffet. So he is pulling more than 550 jobs from his Nevada operations, most of its employees in the state. The firm will relocate some employees to "business-friendly" states that don't impose similar charges. Musk has said the fees make solar power less attractive to consumers and will drive down demand - SolarCity cuts jobs in Nevada after policy changes on solar rooftops.
Nevada's rooftop solar program has gained support from Governor Brian Sandoval, Senator Harry Reid, and even President Obama. And for good reason: 6,000 jobs are at stake, not to mention an important strategy for fighting climate change. If you think the Nevada Public Utilities Commission is abusing its powers by making an unlevel playing field, you might want to Demand that Nevada regulators suspend the new anti-solar rules until challenges can be heard in court.
We suggest readers avail themselves of the following sources for news on the demise of nuclear power: Japan for Sustainability, Japan Focus, Fukushima Update, and Fairewinds Energy Education.
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GAIL FULLER: ON SUSTAINABILITY, ECOLOGY, AND COMMUNITY
Thursday, 21 January 2016, 7:00-8:30pm - FREE
First United Methodist Church, 823 Merchant St., Emporia KS 66801
When Gail Fuller started looking into what it would mean for his family farm north of Emporia to be ecologically sustainable, he found himself learning the science behind soil life, photosynthesis, and the mineral and water cycles. His exploration led him to organize an annual "Field School" in conjunction with the Kansas Farmers Union that draws speakers and guests from around the world to share the latest knowledge on regenerative farming and ranching. In his talk, he'll share with the Emporia Gardeners of America some of what he's learned and what he's doing differently on his land, with an emphasis on no-till and cover crops, and explain how we can apply the same strategies in our gardens.
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CULTIVATE KANSAS CITY - ANNUAL FARMERS & FRIENDS MEETING
Saturday, 23 January 2016, 8:00am-3:00pm - FREE
2nd Presbyterian Church, 318 E. 55th Street, Kansas City MO 64113
Come meet other growers and supporters and learn about Cultivate Kansas City's projects over the past year. They will have pie, coffee, conversation, and learning together(and, if you'd like to bring a pie or two, it would be much appreciated!). They're hosting a potluck lunch in addition to the famous pie potluck. Please bring a homemade (and preferably homegrown or locally sourced) dish to share. The event will have a "Dreamers and Doers" panel, and some group visioning activities that are fun and creative. Founded in 2004, Cultivate Kansas City operates the Kansas City Community Farm, and trains folks as urban growers. Their vision is for urban areas of small community farms, providing a livelihood for growers, and local healthy food for the community. For more info go to -
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NO-TILL ON THE PLAINS 2016 CONFERENCE
Tuesday-Thursday, 26-27 January 2016 - $$$
Bicentennial Center, 800 The Midway, Salina KS 67401
Industrial agriculture considers the soil as inert and dead, being there only to hold up the crops, so loss of nutrients or tilth, or loss of the soil itself is inconsequential. Just throw chemicals at it! While no-till agriculture still uses heavy machinery, no-till farmers minimize the equipment and the number of passes over the land. But there two schools of no-till farmers - those who avoid plowing down weeds and weed seeds by killing weeds with herbicides (granted less than used in conventional till farming), and those who avoid weed growth entirely by planting a combination cover crop after harvest. The No-Till on the Plains farmers have developed sophisticated mixes of cover crops and rotational schedules that not only avoid soil erosion, but boost crop production. There is a large lineup of featured speakers including: Dr. Jill Claperton of Rhizoterra, Ray Archuleta of the NRCS, Dr. Ray Ward of Ward Laboratories, Odette Menard of Quebec Canada, and many farmers and professionals. For more info and to register, go to - No-till on the Plains 2016 Winter Conference.
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DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
Monday, 8 February 2016, 5:30pm
location TBA
The 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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KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Wednesday, 10 February 2016, 4:00-6:00pm
Mic 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 Management Commission.
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LAWRENCE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, 10 February 2016, 5:30pm
Public Works Confr. Room, City Hall ground floor, 6 East 6th St., Lawrence KS 66044
The February agenda is not yet available. 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 - Sustainability Advisory Board.
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LAWRENCE PEDESTRIAN COALITION
Wednesday, 10 February 2016, 7:00pm
Carnegie Building Conference Room, 200 West 9th St., Lawrence KS 66044
The February 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 Erin Paden
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BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Monday, 15 February 2016, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Parks & Recreation Conference Room, 1141 Massachusetts St., Lawrence KS 66044
The February 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 Commission on bicycle priorities and needs. The agenda and information can be downloaded at Bicycle Advisory Committee.
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THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING - FILM BASED ON NAOMI KLEIN'S BOOK
Wednesday, 17 February 2016, 7:00pm - $$
Glenwood Arts Theater, 3707 West 95th St., Overland Park KS 66206
Inspired by Naomi Klein's book "This Changes Everything", the film presents seven powerful portraits of communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. Areas include the coal extraction region of Montana's Powder River Basin, the Alberta Tar Sands mines, the coast of South India, Beijing, and beyond. Interwoven with these stories is Klein's narration, connecting the carbon in the air with the economic system that dumped it there. Klein leads up to the idea that we can seize the existential crisis to transform our failed economic system into something radically better. Ticket info at -
http://73409.formovietickets.
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING AND PARTY
Friday, 19 February 2016, 6:00-10:00pm - FREE
location TBA
Please join us to celebrate our eighth birthday featuring a potluck dinner at 6:15pm, a keynote speaker, and conviviality!
After the potluck, we will recap our 2015 achievements in Food Not Lawns, bicycle transportation, urban agriculture, air quality enhancement, and more. Following that we will elect our Directors for the coming year. Since forming in late 2007, Sustainability Action has been bringing to our community local solutions for transition to a sustainable economy. Everyone is welcome, non-members and members alike. We hope to see you there! More details in upcoming newsletters.
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KC URBAN PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATION COURSE
Tuesdays, 23 February-10 May 2016, 6:00-9:00pm - $$$
3700 East 12th St., Kansas City MO 64127
Kansas City Permaculture Education, Extension, and Research (KCPEER) will be teaching a 12 week Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) course from 23 February to 14 May 2016. Each week will have a Tuesday evening 3-hour lecture and a Saturday morning 3-hour field session as a non-residency 72-hour course, fulfilling Bill Mollison's criteria for gaining design certification. The course is being taught by instructors who are certified in permaculture design, and will include group design exercises, self-study time, hands-on projects, visits to demonstration sites, and other learning activities.
This course is focused on the design and application of permaculture in urban areas of our northern temperate bioregion. Issues in a city such as urban food deserts, soil contaminants, invasive plants, and socio-political inequities require a permaculture tailored to city living. And cities have great potential as well, like neighborhood collaboration, reclaiming vacant land, and tapping into work trades and time banking. Most notably, 75 % of the U.S. population lives in the suburbs but typically grows lawns rather than food.
The lead instructors will be Steve Mann, Hilary Noonan, Michael Almon, and Jeremy Rothe-Kushel. They will be assisted by three support instructors, Nick Brown, Amber Lehrman, and Byron Wiley. Each of them have extensive knowledge and experience in many facets of permaculture, particularly urban permaculture. The course will be held at the Urban Farming Guys (& Gals) on East 12th St. in Kansas City MO.
Every effort is being made to make this course affordable, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. There is an early bird rate by 29 January, a split-payment rate, and options for free will offering or work trade. For course information, syllabus, cost, and registration materials, click on this link at the Permaculture Extension -https://www.facebook.com/
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Join the Sustainability Action Network by clicking this link > > Become a Member | Sustainability Action Network, and when there 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) Food Sovereignty & Permaculture - local control of food and food policy, Food Not Lawns workshops, tours, and crop mobs.
2) Bicycles and Alternative Transportation - promoting bicycles, complete streets, ride sharing, and electric vehicles, including infrastructure and pro-active regulations
3) Local Community Currency - fostering money literacy, and implementing a local currency through a buy-local campaign, and then introducing a complementary currency of cash or electronic trading.
4) Sustainability Action Newsletter - informing and encouraging people to be active in the Sustainability Action Network, or other action-driven groups.
5) Energy Conservation & Renewables - reducing our carbon footprint by promoting a carbon diet, an energy diet, conservation, and decentralized renewable energy.
6) Prime Farmland Preservation - protecting Capability I & II farmland from urban development and industrial land uses.
7) Water Rights & Watersheds - Protecting the water commons from privatization and contamination, and restoring watersheds.
8) Collaboration with Sister Organizations - building synergy with the combined talents and creativity of like-minded groups to achieve ecological sustainability. Groups like: the Dg County Food Policy Council, the Lawrence Pedestrian Coalition, Cultivate Kansas City, the Light Center eco village, the Lawrence Fruit Tree Project, and the Flint Hills Renewable Energy & Efficiency Co-op.
Sustainability Action sponsored organizations:
1) Lawrence Creates - Maker space with tool sharing, recycling, and community shared innovation incubator - Lawrence Creates
2) Diesel Health Project - promoting eco-justice in neighborhoods exposed to industrial air and water pollution, by monitoring the pollution and changing policies and enforcement - Diesel Health Project
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