home
Note: Fifty-four Baltimore Green Forum events have been held since Jan. 1, 2012. Descriptions of all 54 are on this home page.
The New Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, March 22, 2020
4-5:30 pm
ZOOM meeting only!
Church is closed.
See instructions above this flyer for how to use your PC or phone to join the meeting!
Dear Friends of the NEW (and old) Baltimore Green Forum,
This time we gave you 3 weeks notice of the date and time. Here is a reminder, plus the info you need for a BIG CHANGE!!! The meeting "place" must change!! The church is closed! So, I give you below the instructions for using Zoom to join the meeting from anywhere you wish to be!!
And there is a new focus for discussion. It will be a video of a March 16 interview with Nate Hagens, our main teacher since Nov., 2019 He explains how the Coronavirus disruption of the world will help us understand what he has been teaching us since Nov., 2019. We shall view and discuss at least the last 10 minutes of the interview. The link is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt5dsD1z1R4
And here again is a link to most of what Nate has been teaching us: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800919310067
Looking forward to seeing you on screen this Sunday! I shall join at 3:30 pm. I then invite you to test your ability to join before the meeting starts a 4 pm. If you have problems joining after that and call me, I may not be able to interrupt the meeting long enough to diagnose and fix the problem. So, I also invite you to call, text or email me to arrange an earlier test time between now and 3:30 pm on Sunday.
Best wishes.
Sam Hopkins
410 935 8540 Cell
Instructions for joining the Zoom meeting:
Here are three ways for you to join this meeting:
1. Use your PC.
View this email.
Then, click on this link:
2. Use your Smart Phone
View this email.
Click on this number:
+19292056099,,7031301919#
3. Use another phone or a Smart Phone to connect ONLY to the audio of the meeting.
Call 1 301 715 8592
If you are asked a Meeting ID use this: 703 130 1919
-------------------------------------------------------------
No need to read more. All below here was in the flyer I sent on March 1 as your first notice for the March 22 meeting. -- except that I change what is in the flyer about location of the meeting!!!!!!
Please again note:
* We never to try to cover "all" of my "suggestions." We keep it relaxed like Cedar Lane.
* All of you are invited to bring your own requests and suggestions.
* We deal with any topic with patient focus, calm reflection and civil discussion!
The New Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, March 22, 2020
4-5:30 pm
ZOOM meeting only!
Church is closed.
See instructions above this flyer for how to use your PC or phone to join the meeting!
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Let's Again Do What Has Worked Well Elsewhere!
On both Nov. 24, 2019, and Jan. 26, 2020, we had success using the example of the "Ecosystems Study Group" at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda.
So let’s do it again on March 22!!
Twelve of you attended both on Nov. 24 and Jan. 26. And more replied that they had a conflict but would try to attend next time. So, this is very encouraging, and we have room for more.
Cedar Lane also has taught me that we can be successful without any pressure on participants to attend most meetings. Those who have attended Cedar Lane infrequently seemed to enjoy it as much as the “regulars.”
So, just come whenever you feel like having a very special opportunity for an informed, civil, relaxed, deep and wide ranging conversation and instruction about the relatively new (200 yrs) “human predicaments.” We think you will not find this opportunity anywhere else, except Cedar Lane, this NEW Baltimore Green Forum, and a course given by Nate Hagens.
None of our political leaders, other environmental groups, or most media give you an alternative for the instruction you will get from the scholarly sources we use for both facts and systems thinking. And other environmental groups are much more narrowly focused in their discussions, even making some subjects taboo.
I continue to collect other new material that we can look at whenever you want. It relates to what Nate teaches us. And feel free to bring your own.
We will also talk about how what we learn from Nate helps us understand better than others so much current events, trends and many other things.
Feel free to stop reading here and just join us on March 22! Otherwise, see below.
Best wishes.
Sam
Sam Hopkins
410 935 8540
--------------------------------------------------------------------
For those who:
* want to do some more preparation for March 22,
* missed reading our Nov. and Jan. flyers, or
* are just curious
1. See the flyer for the Jan. 26 meeting. It has links to Nate's Reality 101 Course videos and reading. The flyer is fully displayed at the top of the home page of our website. Here is link to it:
http://www.baltimoregreenforum.org/
Please relax about the fact that there are links to 4.5 hours of video. We shall never try to view and discuss more than a few during any one of our meetings. We shall be careful not to overwhelm anyone with “too much information” per minute, per hour or per meeting.
2. Use these links to see (a) a video about EN-ROADS (b) much more about it. EN-ROADS is a new tool that helps us understand the like effect of many combinations of things we can do to slow climate change.
https://www.climateinteractive.org/tools/en-roads/
The En-ROADS Training Plan - Climate Interactive
3. Here again is a link to the new in January paper by Nate Hagens.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800919310067
Nate was working on it for 10 years! It is a further refinement of what is in his Reality 101 course.
4. Other reminders to help you enjoy attending the NEW Baltimore Green Forum
We shall continue to use Cedar Lane text and video links and send them to you as links in or attachments to these flyers. So, you can just keep these flyers for future reference. But we also offer you instant access to them at our BGF website. It is www.BaltimoreGreenForum.org
Just scroll down the home page of the above site. The Nov. and Jan. flyers have the Cedar Lane related links.*
What makes the Cedar Lane group -- and now our group -- so special is that it can deal with how much more difficult is our future than any of our political or other non-scientific leaders are willing to admit to and discuss in public. We have found great comfort in being with others who understand this and with whom we can share this understanding without upsetting anyone. It allows us to talk about the limits on any advanced human civilization that even the typical environmentalist does not seem to able to talk about. And these include many more things than just climate change.
Also note that it's possible to enjoy these discussions even if you don't participate actively and have much time to read between meetings. We will recommend a reading for each meeting and/or videos to watch. But there is no pressure to do “homework.” The concepts can be learned “in class.” So, you do not even have to do much or any of the reading before the meetings. The most important truths we discuss do not require a lot of reading to understand and discuss. Another key to what makes the experience thrilling is using "systems thinking" to appreciate why there are no clearly best "solutions."
5. More about Dr. Hagens:
Nate is a well-known speaker on the big picture issues facing human society. Until recently he was lead editor of The Oil Drum, one of the most popular and highly-respected websites for analysis and discussion of global energy supplies and the future implications of energy decline. Nate is currently on the Boards of Post Carbon Institute, Bottleneck Foundation, IIER and Institute for the Study of Energy and the Future.
Nate’s presentations in the following videos address the opportunities and constraints we face after the coming end of economic growth. On the supply side, Nate focuses on the interrelationship between debt-based financial markets and natural resources, particularly energy. On the demand side, Nate addresses the evolutionarily-derived underpinnings to status, addiction, and our aversion to acting about the future and offers suggestions on how individuals and society might better adapt to what’s ahead. Ultimately, Nate’s talks cover the issues relevant to propelling our species (and others) into deep time.
Nate has appeared on PBS, BBC, ABC and NPR, and has lectured around the world. He holds a Masters Degree in Finance from the University of Chicago and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Previously Nate was President of Sanctuary Asset Management and a Vice President at the investment firms Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers.
6. Again, if you have not already done so please let me know by email if this new idea for BGF meetings interests you, even if you can't attend on Sunday, March 22.
Thanks for reading this far!
Sam B. Hopkins
410 935 8540 Cell
---------------------------------------------------
* Re the home page of BGF website, www.BaltimoreGreenForum.org
You can also see flyers for all the 51 meetings since 2012 of what I now call the "old" BGF.
The flyers are in reverse date order.
The New Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, February 16, 2020
4-5:30 pm
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Let's Again Do What Has Worked Well Elsewhere and Now Here!
On both Nov. 24, 2019, and Jan. 26, 2020, we had success using the example of the "Ecosystems Study Group" at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda.
Twelve of you attended both on Nov. 24 and Jan. 26. And more replied that they had a conflict but would try to attend next time. So, this is very encouraging, and we have room for more.
Cedar Lane also taught me that we can be successful without any pressure on participants to attend most meetings. Those who have attended Cedar Lane infrequently seemed to enjoy it as much as the "regulars." So let’s do it again on Feb. 16!!
So, just come whenever you feel like having a very special opportunity for an informed, civil, relaxed, deep and wide ranging conversation and instruction about the relatively new (200 yrs) “human predicaments.” We think you will not find this opportunity anywhere else, except Cedar Lane, this NEW Baltimore Green Forum, and a course given by Nate Hagens.
None of our political leaders, other environmental groups, or most media give you an alternative for the instruction you will get from the scholarly sources we use for both facts and systems thinking. And other environmental groups are much more narrowly focused in their discussions, even making some subjects taboo.
I continue to collect other new material that we can look at whenever you want. It relates to what Nate teaches us. And feel free to bring your own.
We will also talk about how what we learn from Nate helps us understand better than others so much current events, trends and many other things.
Feel free to stop reading here and just join us on February 16! Otherwise, see below.
Sam
Sam Hopkins
410 935 8540
--------------------------------------------------------------------
For those who:
* want to do some more preparation for Feb. 16,
* missed reading our Nov. and Jan. flyers, or
* are just curious
1. See the flyer for the Jan. 26 meeting. It has links to Nate's Reality 101 Course videos and reading. The flyer is fully displayed at the top of the home page of our website. Here is link to it:
http://www.baltimoregreenforum.org/
Please relax about the fact that there are links to 4.5 hours of video. We shall never try to view and discuss more than a few during any one of our meetings. We shall be careful not to overwhelm anyone with “too much information” per minute, per hour or per meeting.
2. Use this link to see video about EN-ROADS, a new tool that helps us understand the like effect of many combinations of things we can do to slow climate change. Cedar Lane will be using this on Feb. 11.
https://www.climateinteractive.org/tools/en-roads/
3. Here again is a link to the new in January paper by Nate Hagens.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800919310067
Nate was working on it for 10 years! It is a further refinement of what is in his Reality 101 course.
4. Other reminders to help you enjoy attending the NEW Baltimore Green Forum
We shall continue to use Cedar Lane text and video links and send them to you as links in or attachments to these flyers. So, you can just keep these flyers in a separate email folder on your email server. But we also offer you instant access to them at our BGF website. It is www.BaltimoreGreenForum.org
Just scroll down the home page. All our 52 meetings since 2012 are described in reverse date order on the home page of this website! So, the most recent flyer is at the top.
What makes the Cedar Lane group -- and now our group -- so special is that it can deal with how much more difficult is our future than any of our political or other non-scientific leaders are willing to admit to and discuss in public. We have found great comfort in being with others who understand this and with whom we can share this understanding without upsetting anyone. It allows us to talk about the limits on any advanced human civilization that even the typical environmentalist does not seem to able to talk about. And these include many more things than just climate change.
Also note that it's possible to enjoy these discussions even if you don't participate actively and have much time to read between meetings. We will recommend a reading for each meeting and/or videos to watch. But there is no pressure to do “homework.” The concepts can be learned “in class.” So, you do not even have to do much or any of the reading before the meetings. The most important truths we discuss do not require a lot of reading to understand and discuss. Another key to what makes the experience thrilling is using "systems thinking" to appreciate why there are no clearly best "solutions."
5. More about Dr. Hagens:
Nate is a well-known speaker on the big picture issues facing human society. Until recently he was lead editor of The Oil Drum, one of the most popular and highly-respected websites for analysis and discussion of global energy supplies and the future implications of energy decline. Nate is currently on the Boards of Post Carbon Institute, Bottleneck Foundation, IIER and Institute for the Study of Energy and the Future.
Nate’s presentations in the following videos address the opportunities and constraints we face after the coming end of economic growth. On the supply side, Nate focuses on the interrelationship between debt-based financial markets and natural resources, particularly energy. On the demand side, Nate addresses the evolutionarily-derived underpinnings to status, addiction, and our aversion to acting about the future and offers suggestions on how individuals and society might better adapt to what’s ahead. Ultimately, Nate’s talks cover the issues relevant to propelling our species (and others) into deep time.
Nate has appeared on PBS, BBC, ABC and NPR, and has lectured around the world. He holds a Masters Degree in Finance from the University of Chicago and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Previously Nate was President of Sanctuary Asset Management and a Vice President at the investment firms Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers.
6. Again, if you have not already done so please let me know by email if this new idea for BGF meetings interests you, even if you can't attend this Sunday, Feb. 16.
Thanks for reading this far!
The New Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, January 26, 2020
4-5:30 pm
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Let's Again Do What Has Worked Well Elsewhere!
On November 24, 2019, we had success using the example of the "Ecosystems Study Group" at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda.
So let’s do it again on January 26!!
Twelve of you attended on Nov. 24 and another 8 replied they had a conflict but would try to attend next time. So, this is very encouraging, and we have room for more.
Cedar Lane also taught me that we can be successful without any pressure on participants to attend most meetings. Those who have attended Cedar Lane infrequently seemed to enjoy it as much as the “regulars.”
So, just come whenever you feel like having a very special opportunity for an informed, civil, relaxed, deep and wide ranging conversation and instruction about the relatively new (200 yrs) “human predicaments.” We think you will not find this opportunity anywhere else, except Cedar Lane, Baltimore Green Forum, and a course given by Nate Hagens.
None of our political leaders, other environmental groups, or most media give you an alternative for the instruction you will get from the scholarly sources we use for both facts and systems thinking. And other environmental groups are much more narrowly focused in their discussions, even making some subjects taboo.
I only wish that some of the most upset young climate activists would join us. These include Greta Thunberg and Our Children’s Trust, the youth plaintiffs who just lost in the latest stage of their lawsuit against the U.S. government for failing to protect them. I think we can help them with Nate’s “Reality 101” course. If you know any such youthful activists, please pass this flyer on to them. And suggest that they look at this new paper by Nate if they want a sample of what they will hear: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800919310067
Feel free to stop reading here and just join us on January 26! Otherwise, see below.
Happy New Year!
Sam
Sam Hopkins
410 935 8540
--------------------------------------------------------------------
For those who want to do some more preparation for Jan. 26 or just sample our scholarly sources, read on:
Above and here is the next text (vs. video) instruction that Cedar Lane has used since what I sent you for Nov. 24. It will at least be the start for our Jan. 26 meeting. But again, you don’t have to read it before the meeting! The link is:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800919310067
This is what I recommended in my cover note. It is a new paper by Nate Hagens. He has been working on it for 10 years. It is a further refinement of what is in the Reality 101 course we reviewed parts of on Nov. 24.
We shall continue to use Cedar Lane text and video links and send them to you as links in or attachments to these flyers. So, you can just keep these flyers in a separate email folder on your email server. But we also offer you instant access to them at our BGF website. It is
Just scroll down the home page.
Note that all our 52 meetings since 2012 are described in reverse date order on the home page of this website! So, the most recent flyer is at the top.
But for your convenience now, we again include below and in attachments the text and links that were sent with the flyer for Nov. 24.
Please relax about the fact that there are links to 4.5 hours of video. We shall never try to view and discuss more than a few during any one of our meetings. We shall be careful not to overwhelm anyone with “too much information” per minute, per hour or per meeting.
What makes the Cedar Lane group so special is that it can deal with how much more difficult is our future than any of our political or other non-scientific leaders are willing to admit to and discuss in public. We have found great comfort in being with others who understand this and with whom we can share this understanding without upsetting anyone. It allows us to talk about the limits on any advanced human civilization that even the typical environmentalist does not seem to able to talk about. And these include many more things than just climate change.
Also note that it's possible to enjoy these discussions even if you don't participate actively and have much time to read between meetings. We will recommend a reading for each meeting and/or videos to watch. But there is no pressure to do “homework.” The concepts can be learned “in class.” So, you do not even have to do much or any of the reading before the meetings. The most important truths we discuss do not require a lot of reading to understand and discuss. Another key to what makes the experience thrilling is using "systems thinking" to appreciate why there are no clearly best "solutions."
Again, if you have not already done so please let me know by email if this new idea for BGF meetings interests you, even if you can't attend this Sunday, Jan. 26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE NOTE: Nobody in the group read all the text or viewed all the videos!! That was not necessary for our group to succeed. But it is great to have to option at least for those who like more “details,” so to speak.
The materials that the Cedar Lane group discussed and used as guides for discussion are:
1. A book that we used as a focus for many meetings, one chapter at a time. The book is a large group of essays. The title is "The Community Resilience Reader - Essential Resources for an Era of Upheaval." You can buy it used or new on line for under $20 and as an e-book as well.
2. Videos available on YouTube They are videos produced for the course given by Prof. Nate Hagens at University of Minnesota. The course is "Reality 101- A Survey of the Human Predicament".
Below are commentary by Prof. Hagens and links to these videos. * But you don't have to watch any them before coming on Nov. 24. We will do an overview of the videos. And we now have excellent equipment at the church for watching these videos.
3. Written material for the same Prof Hagens course. Some are attached to the next flyer below, the one for Nov. 24, 2019. It is also and commented on below.
Even if you have little time to look at any of these readings or videos before we meet on Nov. 24, please attend. You will still be able to enjoy participating in our new "study group." I know this because of my many months of experience with the study group at Cedar Lane!
In the three attachments and below are more details about Nate Hagens Course Videos and Readings for future reference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Prof. Nate Hagens's course: Reality 101:
Prof. Nagens teaches an Honors Seminar titled: "Reality 101- A Survey of the Human Predicament". The class is an interdisciplinary overview of: anthropology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, energy, economics, population, ecology, systems thinking, environmental science based on 2 upcoming books covering these subjects. The objective is for students to see through the cultural blindspots on energy, behavior and the future to see the general shape of the 21st century. This allows for greater personal clarity for future decisions, and insights into the leverage points to be effective at larger scales. The main 3 conclusions are:
1) That human population combined with our aspirations and consumption function akin to a giant superorganism, and that our aggregate actions are directly causing the 6th great extinction.
2) That nature - and human systems - are based on quality energy and natural resources. 98% of 'labor' in human economies is now done by machines, with 85% of that via fossil fuel slaves (coal, oil and natural gas). The cost of finding, extracting and delivering these energy sources, in addition to rebuildable energy sources like PV/wind, to a complex societal infrastructure, is so high as to limit further growth.
3) Most importantly, we don't have an energy or environmental problem so much as a human brain mismatch - we evolved to be 'wrong', and our reflexive responses to our problems are really responses that were formed in the Pleistocene. Until we acknowledge who we are, where we came from, what we're doing and what really motivates us/makes us happy etc, we will continue on current trajectory. But...we are the first generation of our species - of any species to know these things, and our neural plasticity +cultural evolution gives reason for hope.
The following videos were created by ISEOF to be part of a 'freshmen experience' at the University of Minnesota. The videos are around 4.5 hours in total and represent a 'hologram' of the Reality 101 course describing the fundamentals of the human predicament.
Brain Behavior Playlist (10 videos)
- Natural Selection and the Agenda of the Gene
- Sexual Selection and Social Status
- Dopamine, Wanting, and Addiction Part 1
- Dopamine, Wanting, and Addiction Part 2
- Our Social Natures Part 1 - Groups and Tribes
- Our Social Natures Part 2 - Culture and the Superorganism
- Self-Blindness Part 1 -Cognitive Biases
- Self-Blindness Part 2 - Cognitive Biases
- From Self-blindness to Self-awareness
_____________________________________________________________
Energy, Economy, Money, Technology, Growth, Future (12)
- Energy Primacy Part 1 - GDP and energy link
- Energy Primacy Part 2 - Energy is not substitutable
- Energy Primacy Part 3 - We can create money, not energy
- Energy Primacy Part 4 - Tech mostly increases energy demand
- Energy Primacy Part 5 - Economic theory, energy, and growth
___________________________________________________________
- Externalities Part 2: Climate and Oceans
- Externalities Part 3: The Web of Life
- The Superorganism (short version)
- 8 Great Questions for Our Time
Below are links to three files that are written material for course and draft materials for new books Dr. Hagens is co-authoring.
* The first is an introduction to Reality 101 by Professor Hagens.
* The second relates to the first 10 videos dealing with Brain Behavior.
* The third relates to the rest of the videos.
Bottleneck Project - Intro to Reality 101
Overview of the Human Predicament - Part 3 - Energy and Economy
Reality Blind Human Behavior Section Final
More about Dr. Hagens:
Nate is a well-known speaker on the big picture issues facing human society. Until recently he was lead editor of The Oil Drum, one of the most popular and highly-respected websites for analysis and discussion of global energy supplies and the future implications of energy decline. Nate is currently on the Boards of Post Carbon Institute, Bottleneck Foundation, IIER and Institute for the Study of Energy and the Future.
Nate’s presentations in the following videos address the opportunities and constraints we face after the coming end of economic growth. On the supply side, Nate focuses on the interrelationship between debt-based financial markets and natural resources, particularly energy. On the demand side, Nate addresses the evolutionarily-derived underpinnings to status, addiction, and our aversion to acting about the future and offers suggestions on how individuals and society might better adapt to what’s ahead. Ultimately, Nate’s talks cover the issues relevant to propelling our species (and others) into deep time.
Nate has appeared on PBS, BBC, ABC and NPR, and has lectured around the world. He holds a Masters Degree in Finance from the University of Chicago and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Previously Nate was President of Sanctuary Asset Management and a Vice President at the investment firms Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, November 24, 2019
4-5:30 pm
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Let's Try What Has Worked Well Elsewhere!
Sam Hopkins has been attending a very successful "Ecosystems Study Group" at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda once a month. It began because of the climate change crisis. But the group soon learned the need for a wider scope of study and got great satisfaction from this.
Sam would like to share with the Baltimore Green Forum some of the most successful text and video materials that this group used. He would also like to help our group experience the kind of discussions that he enjoyed in the Cedar Lane group. If we are successful, you will find that you come more often and get more enjoyment from discussion than ever before.
What makes the Cedar Lane group so special is that it can handle how much more difficult is our future than any our political or other non-scientific leaders are willing to admit in public. We have found great comfort in being with others who understand this and with whom we can share this understanding without upsetting anyone. It allows us to talk about the limits on any advanced human civilization that even the typical environmentalist does not seem to able to talk about. And these include many more things than just climate change.
So, please tell Sam by return email, if you are interested, even if your cannot attend this Sunday. Also, please indicate if you can make time to attend at least a few times a year and what day and time is best for you. This Sunday will be our first attempt to re-create this kind of study and discussion group at Maryland Presbyterian Church. We don't need many attendees to make it work.
On Sunday Sam will describe how the Cedar Lane study group has been successful, based on his personal experience. It's possible to enjoy the discussions even if you don't participate actively and have much time to read between meetings. We will agree on a reading for each meeting and/or videos to watch. But you do not even have to do much of the reading. The most important truths we discuss do not require a lot of reading to understand and discuss. Another key to what makes the experience thrilling is using "systems thinking" to appreciate why there are no clearly best "solutions."
So, please see below the first book and list of videos we shall use. We are fortunate to have a wonderful system for playing the videos at the church. So, Sam plans to have us see a few on Sunday.
Again, please let me know whether this new idea for BGF meetings interests you, even if you can't attend this Sunday.
I will consider this a success, even if we give pleasure and some solace to 20 persons between now and May and end the experiment in May.
Best wishes.
Sam
Sam Hopkins
410 935 8540
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We make the materials below the focus of our monthly study group until the group decides to change. The materials justify many sessions of study and discussion. So, this is the main reason I call this the "NEW" Baltimore Green Forum.
Also, participants are free to suggest additional materials and volunteer to lead discussions of them.
PLEASE NOTE: Nobody in the Cedar Lane group read all the text or viewed all the videos!! That was not necessary for our group to succeed. But it is great to have to option at least for those who like more “details,” so to speak.
The materials that the Cedar Lane group discussed and used as guides for discussion are:
1. A book that we used as a focus for many meetings, one chapter at a time. The book is a large group of essays. The title is "The Community Resilience Reader - Essential Resources for an Era of Upheaval." You can buy it used or new on line for under $20 and as an e-book as well.
2. Videos available on YouTube They are videos produced for the course given by Prof. Nate Hagens at University of Minnesota. The course is "Reality 101- A Survey of the Human Predicament".
Below are commentary by Prof. Hagens and links to these videos. * But you don't have to watch any them before coming on Nov. 24. We will do an overview of the videos. And we now have excellent equipment at the church for watching these videos.
3. Written material for the same Prof Hagens course. Some of this is attached to this email and commented on below.
Even if you have little time to look at any of these readings or videos before we meet on Nov. 24, please attend. You will still be able to enjoy participating in our new "study group." I know this because of my many months of experience with the study group at Cedar Lane!
Attachments:
Bottleneck Project - Intro to Reality 101
Overview of the Human Predicament - Part 3 - Energy and Economy
Reality Blind Human Behavior Section Final
In the three attachments and below are more details about Nate Hagens Course Videos and Readings for future reference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Prof. Nate Hagens's course: Reality 101:
Prof. Nagens teaches an Honors Seminar titled: "Reality 101- A Survey of the Human Predicament". The class is an interdisciplinary overview of: anthropology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, energy, economics, population, ecology, systems thinking, environmental science based on 2 upcoming books covering these subjects. The objective is for students to see through the cultural blindspots on energy, behavior and the future to see the general shape of the 21st century. This allows for greater personal clarity for future decisions, and insights into the leverage points to be effective at larger scales. The main 3 conclusions are:
1) That human population combined with our aspirations and consumption function akin to a giant superorganism, and that our aggregate actions are directly causing the 6th great extinction.
2) That nature - and human systems - are based on quality energy and natural resources. 98% of 'labor' in human economies is now done by machines, with 85% of that via fossil fuel slaves (coal, oil and natural gas). The cost of finding, extracting and delivering these energy sources, in addition to rebuildable energy sources like PV/wind, [needed by]... a complex societal infrastructure, is so high as to limit further growth.
3) Most importantly, we don't have an energy or environmental problem so much as a human brain mismatch. We evolved to be 'wrong', and our reflexive responses to our problems are really responses that were formed in the Pleistocene. Until we acknowledge who we are, where we came from, what we're doing and what really motivates us/makes us happy etc, we will continue on the current trajectory. But...we are the first generation of our species - of any species to know these things, and our neural plasticity +cultural evolution gives reason for hope.
The following videos were created by ISEOF to be part of a 'freshmen experience' at the University of Minnesota. The videos are around 4.5 hours in total and represent a 'hologram' of the Reality 101 course describing the fundamentals of the human predicament.
Brain Behavior Playlist (10 videos)
- Natural Selection and the Agenda of the Gene
- Sexual Selection and Social Status
- Dopamine, Wanting, and Addiction Part 1
- Dopamine, Wanting, and Addiction Part 2
- Our Social Natures Part 1 - Groups and Tribes
- Our Social Natures Part 2 - Culture and the Superorganism
- Self-Blindness Part 1 -Cognitive Biases
- Self-Blindness Part 2 - Cognitive Biases
- From Self-blindness to Self-awareness
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Energy, Economy, Money, Technology, Growth, Future (12)
- Energy Primacy Part 1 - GDP and energy link
- Energy Primacy Part 2 - Energy is not substitutable
- Energy Primacy Part 3 - We can create money, not energy
- Energy Primacy Part 4 - Tech mostly increases energy demand
- Energy Primacy Part 5 - Economic theory, energy, and growth
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- Externalities Part 2: Climate and Oceans
- Externalities Part 3: The Web of Life
- The Superorganism (short version)
- 8 Great Questions for Our Time
The three attached files are written material for course and draft materials for new books Dr. Hagens is co-authoring.
* The first is an introduction to Reality 101 by Professor Hagens.
* The second relates to the first 10 videos dealing with Brain Behavior.
* The third relates to the rest of the videos.
More about Dr. Hagens:
Nate is a well-known speaker on the big picture issues facing human society. Until recently he was lead editor of The Oil Drum, one of the most popular and highly-respected websites for analysis and discussion of global energy supplies and the future implications of energy decline. Nate is currently on the Boards of Post Carbon Institute, Bottleneck Foundation, IIER and Institute for the Study of Energy and the Future.
Nate’s presentations in the following videos address the opportunities and constraints we face after the coming end of economic growth. On the supply side, Nate focuses on the interrelationship between debt-based financial markets and natural resources, particularly energy. On the demand side, Nate addresses the evolutionarily-derived underpinnings to status, addiction, and our aversion to acting about the future and offers suggestions on how individuals and society might better adapt to what’s ahead. Ultimately, Nate’s talks cover the issues relevant to propelling our species (and others) into deep time.
Nate has appeared on PBS, BBC, ABC and NPR, and has lectured around the world. He holds a Masters Degree in Finance from the University of Chicago and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Previously Nate was President of Sanctuary Asset Management and a Vice President at the investment firms Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers.
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a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, May 19, 2019
4-5:30 pm
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Gathering with Our 50+ year vets
Hear the stories and perspective of those who
helped begin the GREEN movement long ago
even before Limits to Growth warned us in 1972
of what we would be experiencing today!
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The Baltimore Green Forum seeks to educate and stimulate dialogue about what humans can do to make modern civilization more sustainable, including adjusting to finite resource limits and preserving biodiversity and a healthy environment.
We do this through 8 monthly meetings a year. The topics are far ranging. They vary from local to planetary and from philosophical to scientific to very practical.
The Meeting Format: There is a speaker and Q&A from 4-5:15 pm. Then there are brief announcements by representatives other organizations that also seek sustainability and environmental protection. We thereby promote collaboration among these organizations. Next, there is an intermission for networking and refreshments. Then, there is an optional round-table discussion until 6:30 pm. Finally, there is often a small gathering at a nearby restaurant.
BGF is open to the public and is free of charge, but donations to Maryland Presbyterian Church are collected during the meeting to thank the church for their generous gift of the space to us.
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For questions, comments or to co-sponsor, please call Sam Hopkins at 410 935 8540 or email him at sbh@hopkinsandassociates.com
For information about our past programs and more, including power point presentations for some of these programs go to:
http://www.baltimoregreen forum.org
The Baltimore Green Forum is Co-Sponsored by:
Simplicity Matters Earth Institute ~ Chesapeake Climate Action Network ~
MD League of Conservation Voters Education Fund ~ Greater Baltimore Group of the Sierra Club
Heathcote Community ~ Retrofit Baltimore ~ Creation Care Group of the Presbytery of Baltimore
Help us publicize this event!
Please forward this email to some of your friends and put a copy of this flyer on any bulletin board that you are allowed to use for such purpose.
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Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, April 28, 2019
4 pm
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Good Fellowship Gathering
No Debate - Mutual Support - Enjoyment in
Sharing our ideas, knowledge, deep thoughts and more
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Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
All Other Event Flyers since Jan., 2012, Are Below
To reduce repetition we eliminate below the Baltimore Green Forum description and co-sponsor list that appear after the event description in the flyer above. These, in varying versions, appeared in all the flyers below. We also deleted most of the BGF logo graphics that we started using in 2016 at the top of every flyer.
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A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Presentation: 4-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
April 22 is Earth Day. Please celebrate it with us as a day of Thanksgiving!
Join us to thank the Earth for all its "ecosystem services." We forget the huge gift of such services that the Earth provides us every day. Elliott Campbell, PhD will be our speaker. His work for the State of Maryland includes estimating the value of all the ecosystem services provided to us in Maryland.
Dr. Campbell will also talk about two other related topics on which he is also an expert. One is the MD GPI. He has created and maintained the GPI (Genuine Progress Indicator) for Maryland. MD was the pioneer. Finally, he will explain why we must moderate our expectations and demands for "free" energy that comes directly from the sun.
But at the same time let's celebrate the sun! Think of it as part of the wonderful gift of ecosystem services for which we all will give thanks on April 22.
Here is link to this event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/953596398141704/
If you have a Facebook page, please click on the link, display "share" drop down menu, choose "invite friends," and then invite some of your Facebook friends.
Speaker:
Dr. Elliott Campbell is a systems ecologist with a Ph.D. from University of Maryland. He studied under students of the great H.T. Odum who created the field of "systems ecology." Dr. Campbell has presented to our forum before. Several years ago he created just for us a wonderful PowerPoint presentation on Dr. Odum's last book, "A Prosperous Way Down." This explained both why and how humans must plan a transition to using less energy.
Dr. Campbell is the director of the Center for Economic and Social Science, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Just Google "Elliott Campbell Maryland" to see his areas of expertise and achievements.
Email: elliott.campbell@maryland.gov
Topics:
(1) Ecosystem Services: Dr. Campbell is now working on this new initiative that is equally progressive. For the state his is developing measures of the value of the services provided to us by the natural ecosystem in Maryland and monitoring whether they are increasing or decreasing in response to the effect of human habitation on them. This is a little understood, pioneering concept of ecological economics. We need it desperately in order to fight for preserving biodiversity and the environment. Our opponents argue that what we are trying to protect has no significant "economic" value -- that nature is just a luxury that has no "value" compared to the value of things like creating more "jobs."
(2) Genuine Progress Indicator: Dr. Campbell has for several years been employed by the State of Maryland to implement this measure of progress in the lives of all Marylanders. The purpose is to develop a more truthful measure of well being than the terribly misleading GDP ("Gross Domestic Product") which counts all sorts of bad things as being good. Maryland was the first state to implement this progressive program.
(3) Hierarchy of Energy: Dr. Campbell will briefly explain this in terms we can all understand. It was a pioneering concepts that H. T. Odum discovered. This concept is vital in order for us not to be unrealistic about how much net, useable energy we can obtain from solar and wind. He will explain why conservation and even substantial reduction in our total energy use will be needed as we transition to solar and wind, in place of fossil fuels.
Link to PDF of presentation: Energy, Ecology, and Economy
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Roundtable Discussion: 4-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Dear Friends of the Green Forum,
March 11 will be our first experiment with a "Discussion Group" idea that I got from a group in D.C.
The leader of the D.C. group sends out an essay on a single subject with references and footnotes that describe and link to additional reading. The additional reading is not necessary for the 1.5 hour discussion. But it's a great resource all by itself. This happens again every month with a new subject.
Below is a version of this Discussion Group essay idea and for more than one topic. We can choose only one topic or more on March 11, depending on your interests. And unlike the D.C. group, we can continue to address any topic for more than one month. Also, you should not feel any obligation to speak at the event. You are free to come as an observer.
So, please join us for this experiment.
Please also join us on March 11 to discuss a new venue option. We have been given the opportunity to locate at least some of our 7-8 meetings a year at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. This venue is within Baltimore City and has access to public transportation. We have been advised that we cannot attract younger people unless they can take public transportation to our meetings.
We appreciate a reply, but please come whether or not you can let us know ahead of time.
Best wishes.
Sam Hopkins
Moderator
410 935 8540
Topic A: "First things first" with climate change?
What individual actions makes the most difference? Can this information make a difference?
1. Paul Hawken's book, Drawdown. It is by far the most ambitious effort to measure the effectiveness of 100 different ways to reduce and then reverse the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere. Guess what is no. 1.
This book ranks the top 100 solutions to climate change. The results are surprising.
Hawken is a legend in environmental circles. Since the early 1980s, he has been starting green businesses, writing books on ecological commerce (President Bill Clinton called Hawken’s Natural Capitalism one of the five most important books in the world), consulting with businesses and governments, speaking to civic groups, and collecting honorary doctorates (six so far).
See: https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/5/10/15589038/top-100-solutions-climate-change-ranked
This article is an interview with Paul Hawken about this book. Below are excerpts.
A chat with Paul Hawken* about his ambitious effort to “map, measure, and model” global warming solutions.
By David Roberts@drvoxdavid@vox.com Updated Feb 12, 2018, 10:04am EST
…
For all the hand-wringing on climate change over the years, discussion of solutions remains puzzlingly anemic and fractured. A few high-profile approaches, mainly around renewable energy and electric cars, dominate discussion and modeling. But there’s been no real way for ordinary people to get an understanding of what they can do and what impact it can have. There remains no single, comprehensive, reliable compendium of carbon-reduction solutions across sectors.
At least until now.
It seems Paul Hawken got tired of waiting.
A few years ago, he set out to pull together the careful coverage of solutions that had so long been lacking. With the help of a little funding, he and a team of several dozen research fellows set out to “map, measure, and model” the 100 most substantive solutions to climate change, using only peer-reviewed research.
The result, released in April 2016, is called Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming.
It is fascinating, a powerful reminder of how narrow a set of solutions dominates the public’s attention. Alternatives range from farmland irrigation to heat pumps to ride-sharing.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Support Group : 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements, Snacks and Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Round-table Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Fellowship Meeting
To Share the Special Things that We Environmentalists Have in Common,
e.g., NO "denial," concern for the "common good" & the future
No Debate - Mutual Support - Counting our Blessings
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Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Video viewing and recommending : 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements, Snacks and Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
More video viewing, recommending and discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Video Festival
You can just come and watch. Or, if you can't attend, please send us the name and/or link to your favorites.
Use the Search Function in YouTube.com. You will be amazed how many great and short videos relate to your environmental interests!
Please come on Sunday to have us play at least part of your favorite video.
Or you can just recommend your favorite video, funny or serious, that has anything to do with sustainability, biodiversity, and other "green" topics. Give priority to a short one, if you want to show it all.
Send or bring us a link. We will have web access at the event. Or bring it on your own DVD, laptop, thumb drive, or SD card. Or just talk about it. Tell us why you recommend we view it on another occasion and/or on our own, e.g., on YouTube.com
Let's celebrate our fixing the church's beautiful 70 inch video and sound system. So, let's now look at some great videos, not just Power Points.
We invite all to talk at least briefly about the videos they like, because there will not be time to show them all.
Even if you cannot attend on Jan. 27, please reply to this email with your recommendations.
Or TEXT or call Sam Hopkins anytime at 410 935 8540.
We have already received some recommendations from the regular attendees. We promise you some great viewing on YouTube.com alone!
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Baltimore Green Forum
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements, Snacks and Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Round-table Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Thanksgiving for Environmentalists
Celebrating What Has Been Achieved!
In Addition to Hearing a Very Special Speaker
We Shall Share Things Each of Us Is Thankful for
Speaker:
Richard Emory, former EPA Attorney
Now Retired from Long Career Enforcing Laws and Treaties to Protect the Environment!
1970’s: MD legislator and MD Assistant Attorney General
1980’s: EPA - helped set up EPA’s criminal investigations office.
1990-2: EPA - top legal advisor for EPA’s 175 criminal investigators
1992-2011: EPA - environmental foreign assistance, providing information and training to other countries that want to control pollution
Description:
Three days after our traditional Thanksgiving Day, we shall have a 2nd Thanksgiving focused on the Environment. We are long overdue for an event to celebrate the Good News! about what Environmentalists have achieved in the last 50 or more years! So, please come and hear some good news from a great Maryland and EPA public servant for the environment. Then in Q& A and round-table discussion share what environmental successes you are personally most thankful for.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Personalized Sign-up Help in a Separate, Private Room : 4:00-6:30
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Neighborhood Sun – Solar for the Rest of Us
Speaker: Emily Tokarowski
Sign-Up Help: Barbara Martinez
Emily Tokarowski is the senior marketing and outreach coordinator at Neighborhood Sun (www.neighborhoodsun.solar) a Maryland based company dedicated to bringing solar energy to all of Maryland. She has worked closely with founder and CEO Gary Skulnik to develop campaigns on sustainability, clean energy, B-Corps, social enterprises and many other topics.
Barbara Martinez is a Baltimore-based, Customer Service Specialist. She is an expert on helping make this new solar option sign-up process easy and quick
Description:
Thanks to a new community solar law in Maryland, anyone who pays an electric bill can go solar! Renters and homeowners alike can sign up, and we go great with wind contracts! Listen to the presentation, get one-on-one assistance, and ask our experts all your questions. Together we are building a great solar community.
Bring your BGE bill, checkbook and credit card to sign-up on the spot with our Baltimore-based customer representative. You need only to be a BGE customer. If you have any questions you want answered before you come, just call Ms. Martinez at her office at 240 845 7136.
The website is www.NeighborhoodSun.solar
You may even make an appointment for help by telephone from Ms. Martinez. Just click on this link and follow the prompts and instructions:
Here is link to this event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/787498588278376/
If you have a Facebook page, please click on the link, display "share" drop down menu, choose "invite friends," and then invite some of your Facebook friends.
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a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018
Presentation: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements, Snacks and Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Round-table Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Recycling in Baltimore City & the World
Why Recycling Is More Important Than Ever Before
The Increase in Single Use Plastics
The Huge Problem of Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans
How Much of What You “Recycle” Never Is Recycled & Why?
The Current Crisis Caused by Demand vs. Supply
The Option to REUSE, not Recycle
Speaker:
Robert Murrow
Coordinator, Baltimore City Recycling Program
Baltimore recycles almost 30% of its trash. This is a complicated and challenging endeavor. There are many questions which we have all had about recycling but never had the chance to ask when face to face with a person in charge of a huge and multifaceted recycling program. Well, this is your chance to ask those questions.
For an overview of the Baltimore City program that is provided by the Maryland MDE click on:
For the website of the Baltimore City Recycling Program click on: http://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/Recycling.aspx
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Presentation: 4-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Here is link to this event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2042406262692631/
If you have a Facebook page, please click on the link, display "share" drop down menu, choose "invite friends," and then invite some of your Facebook friends.
Speaker:
Sam Hopkins
-- long-time producer and moderator of the Baltimore Green Forum
Topic:
un-Denial.com
The "Denial Gene" that Most Humans Have But You Probably Don't!!!
Description:
This astounding theory is explained at the website, Un-Denial.com. Learn this new explanation for why most humans are in "denial" about what makes our current civilization not sustainable. The "denial" is caused by a genetic mutation that happened about 100,000 years ago.
But not everyone carries the gene. That is why if you understand and grieve about the nonsustainability of our civilization, you are special. You should want to meet others like you and hear more about this new theory and this gene.
ONLY because of this gene could humans create an amazingly complex, rich and comfortable civilization that is also not sustainable.
Hear the good news that there may be psychedelic drugs that can enable humans with this gene to change!
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
The number one solution, in terms of potential impact? A combination of educating girls and family planning, which together could reduce 120 gigatons of CO2-equivalent by 2050 — more than on- and offshore wind power combined (99 GT).sis.
...
Drawdown is the point in time when greenhouse gas concentrations peak in the atmosphere and begin to go down on a year-to-year basis…
I hadn’t thought about solutions much until I saw the wedges, in 2001.
…
And so I finally decided to do Drawdown: name the goal and then map, measure, and model, see if it’s achievable. And away we went, for almost three years, with 70 Drawdown research fellows from 22 countries and six continents.
We went in fairly confident about what the top solutions would be. We were wrong — which is validating, in a way. We have a methodology that forfends against bias.
Paul Hawken
We thought at least the top of the list would — solar, wind, wind, solar. Because that’s what you hear from Charles Ferguson, Al Gore, [Jeffrey] Sachs, or Christiana Figueres. They’re all saying the same thing.
It’s understandable — 62 percent of the [greenhouse gas] molecules up there came from fossil fuel combustion, so you just invert it, right? It makes sense. It just doesn’t work out that way.
If you take solar, which is eight and 10 [on the list], and wind, which is two and 22, and you combine them, they are definitely near the top. But you can’t model on- and off-shore wind the same, because the economics are vastly different. And you can’t model rooftop and solar farms in the same model. So in some cases we broke things up that people think of as aggregated.
But even then, the number one solution is educating girls and family planning.
David Roberts
How do you put numbers on that?
Paul Hawken
We took the numbers from other agencies — from World Bank, WHO, IPCC. What they are is the delta between the median high population projections of the UN in 2050 and that reduction alone. There are so many ancillary benefits and impacts of 1.1 billion less people, though.
David Roberts
But it is the 1.1 billion fewer people that is doing the carbon work?
Paul Hawken
Yeah, absolutely.
David Roberts
Are there other benign ways of influencing population growth that you considered?
Paul Hawken
There’s a lack of original science.
Every carbon number [in the book] is peer-reviewed data. We don’t use anecdotal data, or “we think,” or “we’re seeing.” Everything is peer reviewed. If there’s no peer-reviewed data, we can’t model it. And on the economic side, which is more difficult and gnarly, there’s no such thing as peer reviewed data in most cases.
We do lit reviews, tech reviews — we’ve got a couple thousand notes and three thousand references for the content.
We had a guy who’s presenting Drawdown to the [IPCC] Sixth Assessment, the Third Working Group. One of the scientists there took a poke at regenerative agriculture and said, “Well, that’s just climate smart agriculture [CSA], we know about that already.” I wrote back and said, “Show me the model.”
It’s a generality. It doesn’t mean anything. Multistrata agroforestry, fantastic, show me a model. Silvopasture — show me the science. In the process of covering land use, we had to identify what had actually been studied. So we have 22 land-use solutions. We’re splitters, in order to get accurate data.
David Roberts
If you had to guess, what’s the biggest potential contributor that you had to leave out for lack of data?
Paul Hawken
War.
…
David Roberts
How big a role does carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) play in your schema?
Paul Hawken
None. It’s unaffordable. It doesn’t work. It has to work first, and then has to be affordable. Using carbon capture in Saskatchewan for depleted oil wells isn’t exactly a solution, especially when it’s only 40 percent capture and the company’s depending on the province to subsidize it. There are better results coming out of Texas. We’re watching it.
You can’t achieve drawdown unless you sequester [carbon], but right now the only way we know how to do it in a reliable way is photosynthesis. I mean, there are science experiments going on, but it’s not commercial and it’s not practical.
2. Richard Grossman, "The 4 most effective ways to reduce carbon footprint,"
from his blog at PopulationMatters.org, Nov. 2, 2017
Dear Reader,
From time to time there will be an article that hits the nail on the head. The recent analysis by Wynes and Nicholas is one. You can find "The climate mitigation gap: education and government recommendations miss the most effective individual actions" recently published in Environmental Research Letters at:
https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aa7541
Thanks for reading!
Richard
Compare Climate Change Strategies
Recently I asked some authorities on climate change: “what is the most effective way of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions?” They gave stock answers about decreasing consumption. “If you were my students, your grades would all be D’s” was my response.
They are, unfortunately, not alone. A recent study listed the 4 most effective activities that people can do to decrease their emissions. Three of them are what you might expect, while the most effective one—by far—might be unexpected.
The measure used by the authors of this article is tonnes CO2-equivalent (tCO2e) emission reductions per year. The average person in the USA causes about 16 tonnes of CO2 to be released annually. (a tonne is a metric ton; roughly equal to our ton of 2000 pounds) Here are the 4, listed from least to most effective.
Eat a plant-based diet. This has health benefits as well as aiding the environment. It is clear that eating meat, especially red meat, is bad for your health. The effects on the world around us are also negative—excessive use of water, sewage lagoons that pollute ground water and dead zones in the ocean from animal waste. An individual’s annual saving by avoiding meat is almost a tonne.
Our transportation system depends on fossil fuels, which generate CO2 when used. It makes sense that avoiding air travel and not driving a car would decrease carbon emissions. Giving up both air travel and your car would keep 4 tonnes of CO2 out of the atmosphere.
Buying “green” electricity is quite effective, and is inexpensive—thanks to our electrical cooperative. Switching from power produced with coal to renewable sources prevents 1.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions—and makes our air healthier.
The most effective thing that an individual can do to reduce his or her carbon footprint is to have one fewer child. The effect is strong because of the “carbon legacy” of a child born in a rich country. The carbon footprint of the individual child is significant, but the legacy of all that person’s progeny (who will go on for many generations) is huge. A child not conceived reduces a person’s carbon footprint by 58 tonnes! Yes, the one best action an individual can take to reduce his or her carbon footprint is to choose to have a small family—or no children at all.
Unfortunately, most people who study, write and teach about greenhouse gas reduction don’t consider the impact of childbearing. The authors of the paper mentioned above also studied governmental recommendations to reduce emissions from the EU, the USA, Australia and Canada. Not surprising, they found that the recommendations all focused on less effective actions.
Likewise, the paper examined the content of science textbooks. They searched several textbooks used in Canada for suggestions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Very few of the recommendations were for the 4 most effective actions named above.
To quote from this paper: “It is especially important that adolescents are prepared for this shift [to reduce carbon emissions]. They still have the freedom to make large behavioural choices that will structure the rest of their lives, and must grow up accustomed to a lifestyle that approaches the 2.1 tonnes per person annual emissions budget necessary by 2050 to meet the 2 ° C climate target.” They went on to write: “Furthermore, adolescents can act as a catalyst to change their household’s behaviour.”
They also compared less effective and highly effective interventions: “…a US family who chooses to have one fewer child would provide the same level of emissions reductions as 684 teenagers who choose to adopt comprehensive recycling for the rest of their lives.” The paper concludes: “Some high-impact actions may be politically unpopular, but this does not justify a focus on moderate or low-impact actions at the expense of high-impact actions.”
I hope that the importance of childbearing gets across at the Climate Change Symposium to be held Thursday afternoon, November 9th. This Symposium will be a new venture for Fort Lewis College Lifelong Learning programs. It will feature 5 outstanding experts speaking on a topic of major importance. The keynote speaker is internationally known scientist Kevin Ternberth. As with all FLC Life-Long Learning Programs, this event is free, but donations will be accepted at the door to help defray costs. It will be held in the Student Union Building ballroom from 1 to 5, followed by a meet-and-greet session with refreshments. Please RSVP by November 6th at: special-events-rsvp@fortlewis.edu or call: 970-247-7608. I hope to see you there!
© Richard Grossman MD, 2017
Topic B. Astounding Recent Warming in the Arctic - Why Does It Matter?
https://www.ecowatch.com/arctic-climate-change-2539897203.html
Scientists alarmed by 'crazy' temperature rises
Record warmth in the Arctic is unprecedented. The north pole gets no sunlight until March, but an influx of warm air has pushed temperatures in Siberia up by as much as 35C above historical averages this month. Greenland has already experienced 61 hours above freezing in 2018 - more than three times as many hours as in any previous year. The question now is whether this signals a weakening or collapse of the polar vortex, the circle of strong winds that keep the Arctic cold by deflecting other air masses. The vortex depends on the temperature difference between the Arctic and mid-latitudes, but that gap is shrinking because the pole is warming faster than anywhere on Earth. While average temperatures have increased by about 1C, the warming at the pole – closer to 3C – is melting the ice mass.
New study sharpens focus on Antarctic ice loss
Accelerating ice losses from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and reveal surprisingly steady rates of flow from its much larger neighbor to the east.
https://sealevel.nasa.gov/news/110/new-study-sharpens-focus-on-antarctic-ice-loss
There is a super-hot sport over the North Pole. It has forced the normal frozen Arctic air to the south, creating this crisis. We should call this the Dragon from the north, not the Beast from the East. The media has not discussed the connection. This is the only so-far-ultimate consequence of warming the planet and the oceans.
The Unusually Warm Arctic Might Scare Your Pants Off
Cities in Europe, meanwhile, are getting hit with unusually cold temperatures and snowfall. That's days after the U.S. East Coast had record highs.
Siberian blast to SMASH Britain with 'coldest winter snap
Watch the video of icy weather moving into England
A Large Area of Open Water Forms North of Greenland During February
Warm winds blowing at up to gale force intensity from the south have assaulted the ice with high waves and above-freezing temperatures for about four days now. The ice edge north of Svalbard is being rapidly beaten back. Perhaps more disturbing, is the fact that the ice pack to the north of Greenland has also now withdrawn — opening up a huge polynya.
Onset Of Climate Tipping Points
The global effect of Arctic melting will create almost as much global warming as already produced by the total rise in atmospheric CO2. Once a temperature threshold is breached, abrupt events follow due to amplifying feedbacks, even within a few years, examples being (1) freeze events which followed temperature peaks during past interglacial peaks due to influx of cold ice-melt water into the north Atlantic Ocean; (2) the Dansgaard–Oeschger warming events during the last glacial period; (3) the Younger dryas stadial freeze and the Laurentian stadial freeze. In some instances it only took a temperature rise of about 1-2 degrees Celsius to trigger extensive ice melt, with a flow of cold melt water into the oceans that triggered abrupt transitions that could occur over a few decades and even few years.
https://countercurrents.org/2018/03/01/onset-climate-tipping-points/
Interview with Jennifer Francis, climate scientist:
http://therealnews.com/t2/story:20878:Global-Warming-and-Extreme-Cold%3A-How-One-Leads-to-the-Other
Topic C: Humor Break
https://www.theonion.com/sighing-resigned-climate-scientists-say-to-just-enjoy-1823265249
Topic D: If everyone lived sustainably, what would their lives be like?
http://oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/if-everyone-lived-sustainably-what-would-their-lives-be-like/
Topic E: The Water Crisis in Cape Town: Unique or just the tip of the iceberg?
Overview:
“Yes, the amount of water on earth is constant. But only 2.5 percent of it is freshwater. Of that freshwater only a tiny fraction is readily available. Almost all of it is frozen or in the ground. Rivers, an extremely important source of water for humans, contain barely .0002 percent of Earth’s freshwater. So as the population explodes, human use of water expands, and pollution reduces the already limited amount available, the remaining volume of freshwater accessible to supply this demand grows smaller.”
Cape Town Story
The latest estimate is the on April 12, 2018, running water to residents will be cut off.*
And the trend of decreasing rainfall began 80 years ago!
* Quote:
Under this very difficult scenario, water pipes to everything but essential services like hospitals would be cut off. Residents would be forced to make daily treks to one of 200 outlet pipes to fill up water bottles. If this happens, then Cape Town will be the first major city in the world to be forced to fully cut off its municipal water supply.
The Conversation, Fixing Cities' Water Crises: Two cities on opposing continents, Santiago and Cape Town have been brought to their knees by events at opposing ends of the climate spectrum - flood and drought.
Iran's Water Crisis:
See: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/09/iran-desalination-water
Pakistan's water crisis
http://peakoil.com/consumption/pakistans-water-crisis-is-a-ticking-time-bomb
Rural America's Water Crisis
The New Republic, Rural American's Drinking Water Crisis.
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, January 28, 2017
Socializing, Networking & Brainstorming: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements: 5:15-5:45 PM
More Brainstorming & Discussion:5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
A Feel Good & Brainstorming Experience Especially for Newcomers:
Socializing with Refreshments:
If you have rarely or never been to a Green Forum, you are sure to make new friends at this one!
Come and help all of us Greens feel better in these tough times for Greens
Networking:
Enlarge your network of environmentalists. Find new projects & new helpers.
Brainstorming:
Tell us what topics would make you want to come to future meetings!
Share your Experience and Knowledge about Other Green Groups and
Ideas for How We Can Partner with Them
Link to this event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/348830355590977/
If you have a Facebook page, please click on the link, display "share" drop down menu, choose "invite friends," and then invite some of your Facebook friends
See Announcements Below this Flyer from Two of Our Partners
for Jan. 10, 12 & 25 events
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, Oct 29, 2017
Roundtable Discussion: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking:5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion:5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Suggestions for Discussion Topics:
What is the Future for Green Activism?
Can We Understand the Mindset
of the Anti-Green Voters?
Do We Share our Concerns with Children?
How?
Other Topics of your Choice
Support Group Session in Separate Room
Moderator: Sam Hopkins
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A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017
Presentation and Q&A:4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking:5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion:5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location
The Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Initiative 50% Campaign
Speakers:
Nikki Richards, Jamie DeMarco, and Vinny DeMarco
Speaker Bios:
Nikki Richards, Campaign Co-Manager, was born in Silver Spring and grew up in Baltimore city. Before the campaign, she worked as an office manager for a large pediatric healthcare provider. She was previously a full-time K-3 literacy tutor and has dedicated eight years to working with youth and teens at the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Quaker summer camps. Nikki has been informally organizing small groups for a decade, and she is ready to take on a state’s worth of grassroots work. She is committed to ensuring that Maryland becomes a state powered by the sun.
Jamie DeMarco, Campaign Co-Manager, was born and raised in Baltimore and, during his time at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, he organized grassroots support in Baltimore to help pass legislation requiring the state to reach 25% renewable electricity by 2020. Jamie then worked at the Friends Committee on National Legislation where he lobbied for nuclear disarmament and reductions in Pentagon Spending. Now he has returned to Maryland politics to help ensure that our state reaches 50% renewable electricity by 2030.
Vincent DeMarco is a long time advocate for public health causes including reducing teen smoking and gun violence and expanding healthcare access. As President of the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative, he is working to guarantee quality, affordable health care for all Marylanders. In addition to serving as the President of the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative, Mr. DeMarco is chairman of the board of the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Initiative.
Description:
Join us for a discussion on the climate and to learn more about what this campaign is doing to combat the environmental crisis.
The Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Initiative will bring people together to work for a better Maryland. Carbon dioxide is driving catastrophic global climate change and on a local scale, Maryland has some of the worst ground-level ozone pollution in the eastern United States. Maryland generates more than half of its electricity from fossil fuel sources and we continue to lack adequate industry in our state. For these reasons, the need for united action is clear. Join us to hear more about how the 50% campaign will combat the climate crisis and learn more about what you can do to help.
Link to Event at Baltimore Green Forum Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/171818843386767/?active_tab=about
Please use above link to go to this Facebook EVENT and then INVITE some of your friends. Thank you!
Or at least please choose "Share in News Feed."
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A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking:5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion:5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Off the Grid Living:
How I Have Been Living Super GREEN for 20 Years
And
How at Least Some of You Can Do this Also
Speaker: Cassandra Naylor
Link to this Event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/298512493905606/
If you have a Facebook page, please click on this link, display “Share” drop down menu, choose “Invite Friends,” and then invite some of your Facebook friends.
Description:
Join us for an amazing story of radical change in lifestyle, independent living and all with humility, a sense of humor and joy!
Cassandra has done more than anyone we know in the Baltimore metro area to start in her own home really low impact, low energy and all around green in the home living 20 years ago and continue it to today.
She started the hard way by retrofitting a large barn. But she did it. This included a combination of the early solar panel and battery systems in order to disconnect from the electrical grid. It also included pioneering use of composting toilets, a greywater and garden system, and passive solar water heating for domestic hot water, radiant heat in floors & indoor forced air. Finally, it means the use of cross ventilation and fans instead of air conditioning.
And Cassandra did this all alone in a county whose government makes many such tools for green living very difficult to get approved.
Also, for her green living meant giving up dishwashers and clothes washing machines and all the usual soaps, detergents or other cleansers because they contain toxic chemicals.
Finally, in the last two years Cassandra has done it all over again with a new home, designed to prove that such off the grid green living can be much more practical, effective and affordable than when she began it 20 years ago.
All those who attend this event on May 21 will be invited to tour Cassandra’s new home at a future date.
Please RSVP by replying to this email or leaving a message at 410 366 8540, so that we can plan the refreshments.
A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Presentation and Q&A:4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking:5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion:5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Potty Training:
How to Green Our Treatment of Waste & Water
The Do’s and Don’ts of
Composting Toilets and Greywater Systems
Speaker: Greg Cantori
Former head of Maryland Nonprofits, the Knott Foundation, and Light Street Housing, Greg Cantori has been living what he believes by frequently commuting 50 miles round trip by bike to work. He's the former president of One Less Car and Bike Maryland. He has lived tiny (lived on his sailboat for 5 years and has a tiny home on wheels). 12 years ago, he disconnected his family home from their septic system - Come learn what happened next!
See also Mr. Cantori's website: www.cantori.com
Link to Event at Baltimore Green Forum Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/220961785040168/
Description:
Join us for some potty training and humor!
With some simple modifications and a few hundred dollars, Greg's family of four has been using a dry (aka composting) toilet and gray water system he installed with the help of his teen daughters. They are now far beyond the 'ick!' factor!
It's time to get beyond that cultural fear and 'ick!' factor of reusing our humanure and liquid gold.
You will learn how:
• Flushing is an impossibility for 2.4 billion people (1/3 of our population!) worldwide that have no access to toilets at all
• To modify your plumbing system to eliminate using water for flushing
• To set up a simple gray water system and garden
• To create a garden oasis by compositing your family's nutrients
• An actual working dry (composting) toilet looks and operates...we're going to 'doo' fun potty re-training for adults!
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A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Low cost energy efficient shelter: Is it even possible?
Answer: The “Tiny House”
Speakers: Jack Arnold and a Tiny House DIY’er
Jack Arnold has had a long environmentalist career beginning with real farming.
He presented his first low cost energy workshop in 1977. In 1980, he designed and built a passive solar greenhouse retrofit on an urban row home. In 1990, he designed and built, what at that time was a state of the art, green residence. Since then he has become involved in the Tiny House movement. Over all this time he has been an activist in green building, local economy, and building community
We are also featuring a single mother of two girls who wanted to lessen her dependency on money, her carbon footprint and increase quality time with her children and time to pursue her passions. She also had a desire to live in community and normalize alternative living situations. So, in July 2015 she began building her tiny house on wheels, and by August 2016 her family was living tiny! Despite limited prior construction experience and the resulting many mistakes, she created her house in only 13 months!. She is now an expert on the wrong things as well as the right things to do when designing and building your tiny house. And she is eager to teach others!
Link to Event at Baltimore Green Forum Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/101878573665385/
Description:
The press would have us think that the "greener" the house you build, the more it will cost. Not true. This event will focus on the most economical green house-- the so called “Tiny House”, built either on wheels or on a foundation. The speakers will tell you how either you can find the right manufacturer to sell you one ready made or build it for you or how you can build it yourself.
But you will also learn why you have NOT seen or heard more about Tiny Houses. The two main reasons are: (1) city, county and local building codes and zoning codes and (2) NIMBY (not in my backyard). These are obstacles to getting permission to build, install on site, and/or live full time in a Tiny House. You will hear how you can help us to reduce or overcome these obstacles.
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A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
The Youth Perspective on the Problem with Plastics -- and More!
Speakers: Claire Wayner and Mercedes Thompson
Claire Wayner and Mercedes Thompson are high school students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. They've been involved in environmental work together for a few years, but their motivations to pursue conservation differ. Claire is an avid birder and approaches environmental activism from a natural conservationist's world. Mercedes aspires to be a doctor and addresses environmental problems from the public health perspective.
Claire and Mercedes recently started Baltimore Beyond Plastic, a youth-led, action-oriented organization dedicated to reducing waste in Baltimore City. Plastic is both a public health and environmental concern that threatens the livelihoods of future generations. Sign up for the organization's mailing list, and learn more at http://www.bmorebeyondplastic.org/.
Description:
The Baltimore Green Forum welcomes its first youth speakers to present about the new generation's perspective on the problem with plastics on Sunday, January 22, 2017 from 4-6:30 PM.
Plastic is one of the world's most dangerous substances, containing neurotoxins and carcinogens. Yet we still rely on it for everything including food consumption. Single-use plastics threaten our Earth's waste capacity. Come listen to fresh insight from two Baltimore youth on our plastic obsession, alternatives, and how to live a plastic-free life. The two teens will also briefly discuss other broader environmental threats and ideas on the future of the sustainability movement and how youth typically get involved in environmental advocacy.
In the Q & A and Roundtable Discussion that follows their presentation Ms. Wayner and Ms. Thompson will also be happy to discuss their youth perspectives on the additional challenges that they embrace in the Mission Statement on their website. Here is a copy at the bottom of the HOME page at their website.
Mission Statement: Baltimore Beyond Plastic coordinates youth advocacy efforts around a diverse range of environmental problems facing Baltimore City, such as:
waste and trash
climate change and energy
economic inequalities and job insecurities
lack of green space
We have a special focus around plastic pollutants.
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A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Community Solar – Solar Is for Everyone
Speaker: Gary Skulnik
Gary Skulnik is the founder of a new social enterprise called Neighborhood Sun (www.neighborhoodsun.solar) and a leader in developing the clean energy market on the East Coast. As President of Clean Currents, he started the movement for clean power in Maryland and the region. Gary is an active public speaker on sustainability, clean energy, B-Corps, social enterprises and many other topics.
Description:
Thanks to a new community solar law in Maryland, everybody can go solar! Community solar allows you to sign up for solar power for your home, business or organization without installing any equipment on your roof. It’s clean energy from a local project in your neighborhood. Come to this presentation and learn how you, your business, and your neighbors can join together to build a local clean energy solar project that will let you save money and help the environment.
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Credit for Logo at top of this flyer: This design was created at no extra charge by Fast Signs, when we had them make a fabric sign for us to use to identify our table at an environmental expo earlier this year. We asked just for our name, but Fast Signs gave us more.
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Rising to the Challenge:
The Transition Movement and People of Faith
Speaker: Ruah Swennerfelt
Ruah Swennerfelt is an activist, homesteader, blogger, and author working on environmental issues as General Secretary of Quaker Earthcare Witness and on the boards of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light and Transition Town Charlotte, Vermont. This book is the result of a decade of experience with the Transition Movement, numerous interviews in Europe, Palestine, Brazil, and the United States.
Description:
Learn about the Transition Movement: real people coming together to reimagine and rebuild our world.
“The Transition Movement is comprised of vibrant, grassroots community initiatives that seek to build community resilience in the face of such challenges as peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. Transition Initiatives differentiate themselves from other sustainability and “environmental” groups by seeking to mitigate these converging global crises by engaging their communities in home-grown, citizen-led education, action and multi-stakeholder planning to increase local self reliance and resilience.
They succeed by regeneratively using their local assets, innovating, networking, collaborating, replicating proven strategies, and respecting the deep patterns of nature and diverse cultures in their place. Transition Initiatives work with deliberation and good cheer to create a fulfilling and inspiring local way of life that can withstand the shocks of rapidly shifting global systems.”
From the website transitionsus.org
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Speakers 4:00-5:30 PM
Open Discussion 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Free and Open to the Public
Maryland Green Party's Perspectives
Tackling Environmental Challenges As Candidates
Come hear some of Maryland’s Green Party candidates in the recent primary, including some of the winners who will be on the November ballot
These include candidates for the U.S. Senate, the Mayor of Baltimore & President of the City Council and for some seats in the Baltimore City Council and the U.S. House of Representatives. See below for the names of the17 candidates we invited and the 8 who have accepted our invitation as of April 25, 2016
Here are some questions we shall ask the candidates:
- Is there a consistent Green Party perspective on how to respond to climate change? (e.g., how profound and rapid must be the changes especially in the most advance societies?)
- What are the first five things you'll do if you're elected?
- How do you reach people, since the Green Party prohibits candidates from taking any funds from corporations, PACs, or unions?
- What made you run and dedicate so much time and energy from your personal life, when it appears you have little chance to win?
- What distinguishes you from the candidates on the most progressive edge of the Democratic Party?
- What are your top two issues and your positions on them?
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
For more info contact baltimoregreenforum@gmail.com,
Sam Hopkins at 410-554-0006,
or http://www.baltimoregreenforum.org
Green Party Candidates who have been invited to the above May 15 event.
"A" to left of name = Accepted
Name of Candidate Office for which he or she is a candidate
A - Margaret Flowers US Senate
Nnabu Eze US House of Representatives (3rd district)
A - Kamesha Clark US House of Representatives (4th district)
George Gluck US House of Representatives (6th district)
A - Myles Moeing US House of Representatives (7th district)
A - Nancy Wallace US House of Representatives (8th district)
ElizabethCroydon US House of Representatives (8th district)
Charles “Teddy” Galloway, III US House of Representatives (8th district)
Joshua Harris Mayor
A - David Marriot Mayor
Emmanuel McCray Mayor
A - Connor Meek President of City Council
Andreas "Spilly" Spiliadis City Council (3rd district)
Richard T. White City Council (6th district)
A - Jamie Frierson City Council (9th district)
A - Amanda Maminski City Council (10th district)
Ian Schlackman City Council (12th district)
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Special Announcement about the Baltimore BNote
We owe special thanks to Jack Arnold for work on arranging the above Green Party Candidates event.
In return we are sending out this special appeal for help with the Baltimore BNote project which he helped found.
To Friends of the Baltimore Green Forum from Jack Arnold:
We have only a few days left to raise the necessary funds to get the BN10 and 20 printed.
The BNote has released the designs for its new currency, including the BNote10 and 20. We would appreciate your support in helping us print them by visiting this Indiegogo site and making a contribution, of whatever size you feel comfortable.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/print-the-baltimore-bnote-second-series#/
Thank you,
Jack
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Maryland Electric Power Generation: Fossil Free by 2018?
Speakers: Will Candler and Phil Favero
The speakers are members of Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis (CSGA). Will Candler worked in the World Bank. Both Will and Phil have Ph.D's and have been on University agricultural faculties (Purdue and Maryland respectively). Will is also author of the self published book, “Global Warming: The Answer” (available from Amazon).
Description:
Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) mandates that 20% of electric power supplied by utilities be accompanied Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) certifying the utility bought the power from “Clean” (not nuclear or fossil) suppliers. Environmental groups are aiming to raise the Clean percentage to 25% in 2020, and 40% in 2030. This will still leave 75% in 2020 (60% in 2030) supplied from fossil or nuclear. Will and Phil will make the case for getting off fossil power by 2018.
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Help us publicize this event!
Please post a copy of this flyer in your workplace or neighborhood!
See attached PDF file
Go to http://www.baltimoregreen forum.org
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Electric Vehicles (EVs) and EV-ready Transit Hubs
Speakers: Jill A. T. Sorensen and Paul E. Schoen
Ms. Sorensen directs the Baltimore Electric Vehicle Initiative (BEVI), a Maryland non-profit focused on EV education and outreach. She drives a fully electric Nissan LEAF and an electric assist covered bike (velomobile) she exhibited at the Montebello Reservoir Fair in September. Paul Schoen is a self-employed electronics design engineer with a long-term interest in electric vehicles and other technological methods of improving efficiency and conserving energy and other resources.
Description:
Transportation comprises roughly 30% of our petroleum consumption and emissions. Electric vehicles, bit by bit, are displacing combustion engine vehicles and, with that advance, greening and cooling the planet. Though first introduced in the 1800s, electric vehicles lost out to gas-powered engines. Environmental concerns and advances in motor, battery, and controller technology have now resulted in fast, sporty, and practical cars like the Tesla, Chevy Volt, and Nissan Leaf. We will examine the pros and cons of EVs for personal, commuter and commercial transportation, including active transportation and new city designs under discussion around EV-ready Transit Hubs.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Returning to Earth: Why Green Burial Cemeteries
Speaker: Shelley Morhaim
Ms. Morhaim is a filmmaker, writer, and editor and a longtime civic and environmental activist. Her award-winning documentary on sustainability "The Next Industrial Revolution" has been screened at the Baltimore Green Forum. She is the Vice-Chair of the newly formed Green Burial Association of Maryland.
Description:
The green burial movement promotes an environmentally intelligent way to return our bodies to the natural world and to help preserve open space at the same time. Green burial - also called natural burial - has always been standard practice in Europe and much of the world. In contrast the US follows an industrialized model promoted by the funeral and cemetery industries. The first American green burial cemetery was opened in South Carolina 15 years ago. There are now over 200 across the country, but none in Maryland. The newly formed Green Burial Association of Maryland is working to bring this concept and practice to our state.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015
Presentation and Q&A: 4:00-5:15 PM
Announcements & Networking: 5:15-5:45 PM
Roundtable Discussion: 5:45-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Adapting Strategies for Sustained Impact:
Reflecting on the Initial Years of
The Johns Hopkins Sustainability Program
and Adjusting Efforts to Address New Challenges
Speaker: Ashley Pennington,
Program Manager for the Office of Sustainability
Evolution of the University Wide Sustainability Initiative, 2006-2015, and What We Have Learned
Ms. Pennington will give an overview of what has been accomplished in these nine years.
Then, she will describe all the efforts to prevent the otherwise inevitable loss of initiative. These efforts include constant adjusting of tactics, recalibrating priorities, addressing new challenges to campus efforts and engagement, and cultivating a wide network of peers, partners and programs. All this complex web of efforts and strategies will continue to be needed to achieve the necessary changes , sustain them, and make the university a world leader in sustainability.
Review and Reflection Five Years In
o Lessons Learned
o Metrics that Matter
o Refocusing the Vision
· Overcoming New Obstacles
o Shifting Trends on Campus
o Combating Assumptions
o Shrinking Resources
· Achieving Success Across Silos
o Universal Approach, Localized Application
o Critical Communications
o Eschewing Scope Creep
· Community Connections
o Expanding Local Partnerships
o Best Practice Networks
o Leveraging for Collective Impact
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Support Group: 4:00-5:30 PM
Announcements & Optional Discussion Group: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Second Annual ‘Support Group’ for Greens
Learn about and experience the benefits of a ‘support group’
This event is offered for all who are upset about or at least discouraged by the lack of progress in preserving biodiversity, protecting the environment and making civilization more sustainable. Since last year the impact of fracking and the worsening of climate change, e.g., California drought and arctic warming, may be of particular concern
What Is a ‘Support Group’?
· A support group is a proven method for helping individual participants feel better, despite many difficulties they have been facing. This can happen just from listening to others – but also from speaking.
· A ‘facilitator’ enforces certain ‘support group’ rules. They are few and simple.
· Confidentiality is agreed to by all participants. Therefore, many participants feel free to voice feelings that they may have only rarely or never shared about environmental degradation, overpopulation, peak oil, climate change, and activist responses to these things.
· Then, it is helpful to many participants, when they discover that more people share some of their feelings than they ever would have imagined.
· All participants are offered an equal number of chances to speak. But no one is required to speak. And the facilitator will prevent any one participant from using too big a part of the time available. The facilitator will also quash any criticism or other unhelpful "cross talk." Sometimes, however, asking questions for clarification can be helpful and is allowed.
· So, no criticism, argument, or proselytizing is allowed. This group exercise is for "support” of the well being of participants, not of causes they may espouse.
Sam Hopkins will "facilitate" this event. He has had several years of experience as a facilitator. First, Sam will give a brief explanation like the above and answer any questions or concerns. Then, attendees will be invited to participate.
Support Group Guidelines Memo
If you would like more details about how a support group works, just sent me an email request at sbh@HopkinsAndAssociates.com. We will also offer on June 6 a hard copy of the guidelines as a handout. Feel free to ask for an electronic copy, even if you cannot attend the support group on June 6.
Round Table Discussion Afterwards
During the optional roundtable discussion period from 5:45 - 6:30 pm, you will no longer be restricted by the above support group rules. So, you are free to critique your support group experience and the rules and to make other suggestions. If you are interested in participating again, you can help plan the next one.
Future Group Meetings
BGF (Baltimore Green Forum) is willing to facilitate such a group on a regular basis. The group will probably want to meet at times and places other than the regular BGF monthly meetings. But a small group could meet at the church during a BGF event in a different room. A small parlor room is available. In any case, the consensus a year ago after the first Support Group on 5-18-14 was that we should offer one at least once a year.
Examples of Why Some Greens Can Benefit from a Support Group
If you want some examples of the above cited frustrations, anger, despair, etc., see one or more of these recent articles. Do these help you articulate some of your own feelings?
Why I’m quitting environmentalism
Interview with Paul Kingsnorth
Feeling OK about the end of the world as we know it
Let this Earth Day be the last
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, April 26, 2015
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
A Unique, Holistic Approach to Sustainability at
The Johns Hopkins University:
The Environment, Energy, Sustainability & Health Institute
Speaker: Katie Irgrec
Program Coordinator for this Institute
Addressing environmental challenges requires holistic approaches that cut across fields to understand causes and consequences of environmental change, as well as to develop sustainable solutions. The Environment, Energy, Sustainability and Health Institute (E²SHI) coordinates and encourages innovative, integrative and interdisciplinary research, teaching, policy and practice of environmental sustainability by leveraging the expertise of scholars from across Johns Hopkins University. Katie Igrec will provide an overview of the Institute’s work and highlight some of the research that aims to contribute to addressing environment challenges, including those in Baltimore.
For more information about the institute, visit http://e2shi.jhu.edu.
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, March 22, 2015
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
The Baltimore City Recycling Program
Speaker: Robert Murrow*
Coordinator, Baltimore City Recyling Program
Baltimore recycles almost 30% of its trash. This is a complicated and challenging endeavor. There are many questions which we have all had about recycling but never had the chance to ask when face to face with a person in charge of a huge and multifaceted recycling program. Well, this is your chance to ask those questions.
For an overview of the Baltimore City program that is provided by the Maryland MDE click on:
For the website of the Baltimore City Recycling Program click on: http://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/Recycling.aspx
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, February 22, 2015
4:00-5:30 PM
'Round Table' Discussion 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
What Is Killing the Bees? What Can We Do about It?
Speaker:Josephine D. Johnson, Ph.D.*
Pollinator declines worldwide have raised concern for future food security. In the case of bees, factors such as invasive mites, pesticides, pathogens, nutritional status, and management practices have been implicated as causes of declines. The neonicotinoid class of pesticides has received attention in Europe, Canada, and the US as being especially toxic to bees. Dr. Johnson will explain rudimentary bee biology, the issues of declines, the toxicity of the neonicotinoids, some of the positive and negative outfalls of banning the use of these pesticides, and what the consumer can do to help.
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* Bio for Josephine (Jody) Johnson, Ph.D.
Dr. Johnson graduated with a degree in toxicology from the Univ. of MD, Baltimore in 2012. For her doctorate she studied the sublethal effects of several pesticides (with an emphasis on the neonicotinoid imidacloprid) on honey bees at the USDA lab in Beltsville under the mentorship of Dr. Jeff Pettis. She established her own company, Cullaborate, in 2014 to research pollinator health and raise pollinator awareness. Currently she is working on projects to increase pollinator friendly habitat in Maryland, to study urban pollution using honey bees as environmental samplers, and to investigate the biophysical properties of plants during the pollination event.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, November 23, 2014
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
Topic:
Killing Us Softly - The Science and Politics of Cell Phones, Laptops, and Other Wireless Devices - and 100 Ways To Protect Yourself and Your Family
Speaker: Nancy Wallace*
The last twenty years have seen an explosion of wireless devices in our daily lives. We depend on our cell phones, laptops, iPads, WiFi, e-readers such as Kindle, baby monitors, wireless headphones, wireless video game controllers, and home security systems. Yet due to a scientific mistake in the 1970s by the Federal Communications Commission, their actual environmental and health impacts have been marginalized in our society, not covered by the media, and ignored in federal regulation. One of the world’s largest industries, the consumer electronic device manufacturers, has exploited this mistake to stop further regulation in the US and education of the public. Meanwhile, environmental and health activists, especially mothers, have created a self-protection movement around the world to stop the harmful and fatal effects of this wireless radiation.
What’s true in all this, and what can we do about it?
This presentation provides a fact-based, comprehensive survey of the science, politics, and self-protection (1) for wireless radiation-based devices. (See more on each of these 3 topics in footnote (1) below this flyer.)
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* Bio for Nancy Wallace:
Ms. Wallace has been a Maryland environmental and progressive activist for 40 years. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Safer Wireless (CSW), a national nonprofit created in 2009. See: http://centerforsaferwireless.us/ (See more about CSW also in footnote (2) below this flyer.)
Nancy has worked professionally on endangered species, oceans, and population public policy at the national and international levels for 15 years with national environmental groups. She has worked in IT for federal agencies for the past 25 years.
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Footnote (1): More details on science, politics, and self-protection:
Science – the basic physics of wireless radiation, how it affects living cells, and peer-reviewed medical studies showing harm to humans, plants and wildlife. We’ll discuss the links to doubling of brain cancer, DNA damage to human sperm, correlation with childhood illness based on exposure during pregnancy, altered immune function, breast cancer in teenage girls, changes in glucose metabolism, and where to read more of the thousands of medical studies.
Politics - why the Federal Communications Commission is regulating wireless as a radio device, versus the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration. We’ll discuss the role of the cell phone industry in suppressing warning labels for the public. We’ll also cover the role of the Republican and Democrats in Congress prohibiting any lawsuits against the wireless industry for health damages; and the refusal of the FCC to respond to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ request for an overhaul of US safety standards. Finally, we’ll see how the wireless industry, with the help of the Obama administration, is extracting tens of billions of dollars from our local taxes to fund large microwave exposure of our children in the nation’s public schools.
Self-protection – fortunately, activists around the world, especially mothers, have developed many simple steps we can take in our daily lives to dramatically reduce our exposure. We’ll review the 100 steps you can take today or within a week, how to hook up with the grassroots movement, and where to find more information and resources. We’ll cover cell phone safe use, how to evaluate devices in your life, and how to teach children to exist happily in a wireless-free environment.
Footnote (2): More about CSW
Center for Safer Wireless (CSW) is a national nonprofit created in 2009 by four activist mothers who became concerned about this new threat to children’s health in the rapid proliferation of technologies producing radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RFR) without significant federal safety regulation. CSW’s mission is to educate all sectors of society on the risks and safer use of wireless technology (pulsed radio frequency radiation, RFR). CSW provides accurate, unbiased scientific and medical information understandable to the general public, with practical steps for individuals to reduce their own RFR exposure.
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, October 26, 2014
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Discussion 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/
NEW KOINONIA
A New Concept for Intentional Communities
Speakers: Paul E. Schoen and Robert Thomason
Intentional communities have been in existence for hundreds of years, but many have failed for various reasons. New Koinonia plans to include older proven concepts and evolving technology to provide a healthy alternative to the unsustainable lifestyles to which most people aspire, and may set an example for those who wish to live in harmony with nature and yet not totally abandon the comforts and frills to which we have become accustomed. This is a new concept which is still evolving and we invite everyone to contribute ideas and share in its building and continued existence.
Paul is a long-time member of the Baltimore Green Forum, The Sierra Club, and other environmental organizations, and lived and worked at the original Koinonia that inspired his dream. Robert supports the concept and is cultivating a nature preserve.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, September 28, 2014
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Topic: Carbon Is Not the Problem
Speaker: Alan Hastings
Description
"Make no mistake, carbon is a problem, a big problem, and it is one which we absolutely must solve. But it is not the problem, and
unless we solve the problem, we will not be able to solve carbon. Fortunately, understanding what the problem is not only strongly
suggests that we can solve the problem, but gives us some good insights into how to solve it."
Hint about what is the problem
Unlike Alan, the conservatives do not try to find a way around it. Instead they use it to oppose reducing fossil fuel use.
Short Bio for Alan Hastings
Alan Hastings has had two careers so far. The first, as a computer engineer began in the 1970s with the design and marketing of an earlydesktop computer, embedded computers for use in industrial process control, cryptography and medical systems. His second career (and byfar the better) was as a full time parent, which left plenty of time for computers, Linux, music and pipe organs. At a time when some people arechoosing to retire, he is embarking on a third career trying to make a difference on climate change and economic justice.
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Special Event: 4:00-5:30 PM
Announcements & Optional Discussion Group: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Special Event: ‘Support Group’ for Greens
Learn about and experience the benefits of a ‘support group’
This event is offered especially for all who feel frustration about the lack of progress in preserving biodiversity, protecting the environment and making our civilization more sustainable.
What Is a ‘Support Group’?
· A support group is a proven method for helping individual participants feel better, despite many difficulties they have been facing. This can happen just from listening to others – but also from speaking.
· A ‘facilitator’ enforces certain ‘support group’ rules. They are few and simple.
· Confidentiality is agreed to by all participants. Therefore, many participants feel free to voice feelings that they may have only rarely or never shared about the environmental movement, peak oil, climate change, the future, etc.
· Then, it is helpful to many participants, when they discover that more people share some of their feelings than they ever would have imagined.
· All participants are offered an equal number of chances to speak. But no one is required to speak. And the facilitator will prevent any one participant from using too big a part of the time available. The facilitator will also quash any criticism or other unhelpful "cross talk." Sometimes, however, asking questions for clarification can be helpful and is allowed.
· So, no criticism, argument, or proselytizing is allowed. This group exercise is for "support” of the well being of participants, not of causes they may espouse.
Sam Hopkins will "facilitate" this event. He has had several years of experience as a facilitator. First, Sam will give a brief explanation like the above and answer any questions or concerns. Then, all attendees will be invited to participate in a support group session.
Round Table Discussion Afterwards
During the optional roundtable discussion period from 5:45 - 6:30 pm, you will no longer be restricted by the above support group rules. So, among other comments, you will be invited to give your critique of your support group experience. If you are interested in participating in such a group again, you will also have a chance to help plan the next one.
Future Group Meetings
BGF is willing offer to facilitate such a group on a regular basis. But the group will probably want to meet other times and places than the regular BGF monthly meetings. A small group could, however, meet at the at the same time and place in a separate parlor room that is available at the church.
Greens in Need
If you want some examples of the above cited frustrations, anger, etc., see one or more of these recent articles. Do these help you articulate some of your own feelings?
http://www.thenation.com/blog/179375/let-earth-day-be-last
http://www.thenation.com/blog/179468/why-im-not-totally-bummed-out-earth-day
http://www.thenation.com/article/179460/change-within-obstacles-we-face-are-not-just-external
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, April 27, 2014
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Topic: The Cost of Carbon: An update on critical Maryland climate campaigns and discussion about putting a price on carbon
Speaker: Megan Jenny, Maryland Field Coordinator for Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)
Description
With its 3,200 miles of coastline, Maryland is one of the most vulnerable states in the U.S. to sea level rise and climate impacts. Given that, we should be leading the way in calling for strong solutions that move us towards stability, not for more polluting energy sources. CCAN uses grassroots action to call for the changes we need at the local, state, and national levels. Megan will give an update about the critical climate and energy campaigns happening now: both to pass bills in the General Assembly and to stop big polluters, like the proposed fracked gas export plant at Cove Point. She'll also lead a discussion about the environmental movement's views on putting a price on carbon as an important piece of the climate solution puzzle.
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, March 23, 2014
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Topic: What Johns Hopkins University is Doing to Set an Example for Sustainability
Speaker: Ed Kirk, CEM, LEED AP
Energy Manager & Engineer at the Johns Hopkins University
Energy reduction initiatives: conservation, efficiency and renewables
Water use reduction: rainwater use, reusing black water
Waste reduction, recycling and composting
Sustainable purchasing, investing, teaching, and operations
Sustainable partnerships with local design consultants, BGE, USGBC, etc.
Every job is a green job, awareness initiatives
Faculty, staff and student engagement
Behavior change
Uncompromising standards
Eliminating the reasons for "no" and getting to "yes"
What has worked so far
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, February 23, 2014
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Topic: Haven't You Heard that "You Are What You Breathe?"
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality Told from an Environmental Perspective
Speaker: Aisha Dorn,
Founder and CEO, Lifeline Environmental, LLC
Aisha Dorn spent all her life living, working, and breathing in all Baltimore City has to offer. After graduating Northwestern High School she attended Baltimore City Community College where she studied Environmental Science. She then participated in The Baltimore Center for Green Careers.
Brownfield’s certification program. Here she learned the hazards of Asbestos, Lead and Hazardous Chemicals and how they can have lasting effects on not only the environment but the people that live and work in these conditions. In 2012 she and her now husband, Marc Dorn, started Lifeline Environmental, LLC together with a mission to put the customer’s needs first by creating sound solutions to environmental plights that interfere with the health, well-being, and productivity of their everyday life by using our business model of environmental stewardship.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, January 26, 2014
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
TimeBanking, Alternative Currencies, Worker Cooperatives and the Emerging New Economy
Speaker: Ian Schlackman
Ian Schlakman is a local business owner, new economy activist and political organizer. He’s worked on many different environmental, social and economic justice projects throughout Baltimore. Ian was on the board of the Baltimore BNote and founded LETSBmore a local TimeBank. Ian’s also worked nationally and internationally on TimeBanking and alternative currency software. Ian is an Associated Black Charities Maryland Board Pipeline Professional and Baltimore organizer for TZMMD and Solidarity. Ian is the founder of Civilization Systems a worker owned cooperative that provides technology solutions to schools, organizations and businesses. He is also a technology and cyber security professional. Most recently Ian is currently working with a Maryland Community Wealth Building group and focusing on sustainability issues at a legislative level.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, December 8, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
My Experience as an Environmental Consultant and Researcher in Sweden
And How It Led to My Book, "Too Smart for Our Own Good"
Speaker: Dr. Craig Dilworth
Craig Dilworth was born in Canada and received his PhD at Uppsala University, Sweden, where he is presently Reader in Theoretical Philosophy. His work has included creating and running various environmental projects, as well as purely academic studies in metaphysics, philosophy of science, human ecology, theoretical physics, theoretical biology and the social sciences. He is the author of two major works in the philosophy of science, Scientific Progress (4th ed. 2008) and The Metaphysics of Science (2nd ed. 2007), as well as a book in human ecology entitled Too Smart for Our Own Good (2009). His latest work is Simplicity (2012), which is in meta-metaphysics, and constitutes a lifelong effort.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, November 24, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
The Path Ahead...
Speaker: Dan Smith, founding steering committee member of Baltimore Green Forum
We are beleaguered by unprecedented crises, yet, is there any reason to suppose that these are something other than the birth pangs of the new world that has been anticipated since the dawn of civilization?
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, October 27, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
ARMAGEDDON OR AWAKENING?
Peak oil, water wars, collapsing economic systems, corrupt governments, poisoned earth, global warming. Are we on the verge of ending it all for the human species, or a descent into transition that will lead us to an earth where all life is sacred, prosperous and sustaining?
The answer is up to us...
Speaker: Jack Arnold, founding steering committee member of Baltimore Green Forum
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, September 22, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Communes, Cohousing, and Intentional Communities
From the 60s to the Future
Presentation by Paul E. Schoen
along with representatives of Mid Atlantic Cohousing
and the Heathcote Community
Learn the concepts of cohousing and sustainable intentional communities, and how cooperative living can reduce our individual impact on scarce resources such as land and energy. We may show a movie about intentional communities (or the movie by Mike Lawrence about Koinonia), and then hear from several people who were or are actively involved in such cooperative living arrangements.
These concepts go far beyond the stereotyped hippie communes that popped up and failed in the Woodstock era. Many more modern and successful communities have been flourishing and growing in various forms all over the world. Cohousing is just one of the many ways we can economize and learn to live on much less than we do now, and at the same time provide a healthier environment for ourselves and our children.
Paul's own presentation will focus on his positive and negative experiences at Koinonia, which was an intentional community founded in the 1950s to provide training and living experiences for people going overseas to promote Frank Laubach's worldwide literacy program. It changed focus in 1971 to provide alternative learning experiences for college students and others who wanted to make changes in their lives. Paul lived there over a period of more than two years and it was a life-changing experience. Paul is now looking into reviving the concept in the form of a "New Koinonia", which will differ from its original manifestation and typical cohousing, and instead be in a form similar to a campground.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, May 19, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
The Benefits and Challenges of Using
the Legal System for Environmental Advocacy
Presentation by Tina Meyers
Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper and Environmental Attorney at Blue Water Baltimore
Ms. Meyers will also speak generally about her work as both an environmental attorney and as a Waterkeeper working in the Chesapeake region.
In particular, she will discuss the various legal and regulatory tools available to citizens for making real change in their local waterways and communities. She will discuss several success stories of where utilizing these tools resulted in significant decreases in water pollution and why the use of these tools is critical to cleaning up our waterways.
She will also discuss several of the challenges faced by citizen groups when confronting polluters with legal enforcement, including exorbitant financial costs, political backlash, public relations issues, and pressure from government agencies and other citizen groups. Lastly, she will discuss potential solutions to some of these challenges.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, April 28, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Degrowth: Local and Global Answers
To the Most Difficult Challenges of Sustainability
Presentation by Nancy Wallace
Degrowth is a call for a radical break from traditional growth-based models of society, no matter if these models are "left" or "right", to invent new ways of living together in a true democracy, respectful of the values of equality and freedom. The approach is based on sharing and cooperation, with sufficiently moderate consumption so as to be sustainable.
The degrowth movement began in Europe 10 years ago. It brings a principle of vigorous discussion and full participatory engagement in creating new solutions to the fundamental structural problems of current civilization, on the political and economic level as well as individual. The premise is that even “green” or “socially just” capitalism in its current, growth-based form is not sustainable. Other popular green solutions of sustainable development and population stabilization at current levels are not sustainable as well. Degrowth includes solutions such as "frugal innovation," i.e. innovations that integrate limits, the Genuine Progress Index, and First Nation/indigeneous examples of cultures integrating limits.
Growth no longer guarantees us better material living conditions, increased equality, or more freedom. Growth in recent decades has in fact been accompanied by the significant widening of our society's inequalities. Founded on techno-scientific progress and infinite population increase, growth increases our dependence on the technological, our subjection to the "megamachine", and restricts freedom.
The Western Hemisphere widened the degrowth movement at the 2012 Montreal Degrowth conference by integrating our cultural and economic solutions from the First Nations in Canada and Latin America. Degrowth may be the only means to restore the Chesapeake Bay and address our city/suburban/rural economic inequalities, two of the toughest challenges we face in Maryland.
Why degrowth? Because the quest for continued growth is exhausting ourselves, our societies and our planet. And growth is not keeping its promises to improve our collective wellbeing.
Nancy Wallace will present the history and principles of degrowth as a method to address our most difficult challenges in the environmental movement, initiate a discussion on degrowth for Maryland, and provide resources for further exploration.
Ms. Wallace is a Maryland environmental and progressive activist for 40 years. She attended the 2012 Montreal International Conference on Degrowth in the Americas with representatives from Europe, North and South America, and Australia. She worked professionally on endangered species, oceans, and population public policy at the national and international levels for 15 years.
Background information with references may be found at: http://montreal.degrowth.org/downloads/papers/G014_Schneider.pdf.
Additional resources at:
http://www.resilience.org/stories/2013-01-21/degrowth
http://degrowthcanada.wordpress.com/
http://www.greeneconomics.org.uk/page346.html
http://climateandcapitalism.com/2013/03/25/should-socialists-support-degrowth-2/
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About our March 24 event:
The late Howard T. (aka H. T.) Odum received the equivalent the Nobel Prize in bioscience and was a holistic thinker whom environmentalists in particular should appreciate. His pioneering work in applying systems theory to ecology and analysing energy flows in particular gives us environmentalists a new understanding of why it has been so difficult for humans to practice conservation and sustainability.
Dr. Odum's, second wife, Elisabeth, and he together wrote "A Prosperous Way Down." It is written especially for those who care about the long term survival of human civilization. Elisabeth is also a systems ecologist. The book provides a much more scientific basis than most of us have ever been given to help us make the case for fundamental changes in human society. These are changes that will allow humans to adapt to a future with much reduced energy supplies.
We will have the privilege of learning about the Odums and this book from their grandson, Dr. Elliott Campbell. Elliott is a recent recipient of a doctoral degree from University of Maryland in Ecology and now serves as a Faculty Research Assistant at UMD. He is the grandchild of Elisabeth Odum and step-grandchild of H. T. Odum. Elliott's father is also a systems ecologist.
Elliott is also among the group of ecologists who have recently revived attention to this book within their profession. It was his step-grandfather's last book. See the website, www.prosperouswaydown.com It was created in 2012. Elliott is a contributor to it.
Best wishes,
Sam Hopkins, Moderator for March 24th BGF meeting
BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, March 24, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Howard T. & Elisabeth Odum and
A Prosperous Way Down
Presentation by Elliott Campbell, Ph.D
Over this past century we have observed unprecedented growth in human technology, infrastructure, food production, along with destruction of the natural world. All of this was made possible by cheap, high energy yield, fossil fuels.
We environmentalists are, of course, aware that these fossil fuels are nonrenewable and that human civilization must change to adjust to a lower energy using civilization.
What most of us are not aware of, however, is the pioneering work of Howard and Elizabeth Odum in showing how systems concepts developed for bioscience increase our understanding both of the past growth of human civilization, the changes ahead, and quantifying these changes. The late Howard Odum received the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for Bioscience in 1987.
Even veteran environmentalists will be astonished by how much the Odums can deepen their understanding. And the last book by the Odums demonstrates this.
A Prosperous Way Down, published in 2001 by Howard T. and Elisabeth Odum, provides a blue print for transitioning from a society incompatible with a declining energy base to one that can cope with, adapt to, and ultimately make energy descent prosperous. This talk outlines these prescriptions and provides some ideas on how we can work towards the paradigm shift necessary for these ideas to take hold in society.
Elliott Campbell is a recent recipient of a doctoral degree from University of Maryland in Ecology and now serves as a Faculty Research Assistant at UMD. He is a contributor to the Prosperous Way Down blog (www.prosperouswaydown.com) and the grandchild of Betty Odum, step-grandchild of H.T. Odum. For more information contact Elliott at ecamp88@umd.edu
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, February 24, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Nature Bats Last
Presentation by Dan Smith
Nature Bats Last! Or so it is said. But who batted first? And is this a game?
Dan Smith will attempt to address the fundamental issues of Environmentalism.
Environmentalists have every reason to be Cassandras..... that, somehow, we temporarily outsmarted Nature, and now, finally, we are about to receive our comeuppance.
Dan will suggest, however, that Nature is neither stupid nor malicious. Rather than our being a cancer upon the Earth, we and the Earth are looking more like a chrysalis. A cosmic plan is unfolding, before our eyes, but we must open our eyes, if we wish to see what is unfolding.
A preliminary announcement of this presentation used the title "Good Stewards of Land and Sea?"
Dan has been an envrionmental activist for 45 years. He is also the author of BestPossibleWorld.com and is active on the Open Minds Forum. People from the Baltimore/Timonium area might even think of this as a Grace and Green initiative. For more information contact Dan Smith: danthroopsmith@gmail.com or 443-799-7201.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, January 27, 2013
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Retrofit Baltimore
Saving Energy and Creating Local Green Jobs
Presentation by Evie Schwartz
Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, for Retrofit Baltimore
In January 2012, the State of Maryland announced an unprecedented public investment in residential energy efficiency. All Maryland utility companies are now required to offer rebates to homeowners of 50% off the cost of a home energy upgrade. With 74.5% of the housing stock built before 1959, Baltimore households now have an opportunity to significantly save on energy costs and create a healthier, more comfortable living environment.
Retrofit Baltimore is a project of Civic Works, Baltimore’s non-profit service corp. Founded in 1993, Civic Works’ mission is to strengthen Baltimore’s communities through education, skills development, and community service. Retrofit Baltimore provides homeowners with trusted science-based information and guides them through each step of the energy retrofit process. The widespread adoption of home energy upgrades in Baltimore will generate positive change for our local and global communities.
* It will lower energy costs for homeowners already struggling to pay these costs.
* It will fight climate change by significantly reducing each family’s carbon footprint.
* It will create family-sustaining jobs for underserved Baltimore residents. Each new retrofit worker receives comprehensive three month certification-based training, family-sustaining wages, and opportunities for career advancement.
The Baltimore Green Forum is using a new format, with a 60 minute presentation, followed by 30 minutes for wrap-up and announcements. Afterwards there will be optional break-outs into Affinity Groups. As always, there will be time for networking.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, November 25, 2012
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Climate Change & Sandy:
What Next?
Presentation by Will Candler, Ph.D.
Author of “Global Warming: The Answer”
Living in Maryland we have had two major storms this year: the “derecho” in July and Sandy in October. Both resulted in loss of electricity for several days (weeks for the “derecho”) for many customers. Neither storm was a record breaker for strength, but they demonstrate how totally dependent we are on electricity …… homes without heat, high rises without lifts, petrol stations unable to pump petrol and waste water and sewage escaping into our waterways. Sandy was reported to be 1,000 miles across--surely a record. While there is a growing understanding that we cannot continue business as usual, there is no consensus, as to how we should modify our behavior.
Wilfred Candler, Ph.D. is a retired agricultural economist with a long career in academia on three continents, the Canadian government, and the World Bank. In his retirement he has intensively studied the climate change problem and has written a book about it and his recommendations for responding to it. Dr. Candler will explain why (much) larger storms are to be expected.
The Baltimore Green Forum is using a new format, with a 60 minute presentation, followed by 30 minutes for wrap-up and announcements. Afterwards there will be optional break-outs into Affinity Groups. As always, there will be time for networking.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday, October 28, 2012
4:00-5:30 PM
Optional Affinity Groups 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
The Environment and Elections
By Jen Brock-Cancellieri
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
We are lucky in Maryland to have a great number of elected leaders who we call friends and champions, but we also have a some elected officials who can not be counted on to vote for strong environmental legislation --- even though many of them are from communities where protecting the environment is a strongly held value. It is imperative that during elections we support those Republican and Democratic legislators who stand with us on the front lines as we fight together for strong environmental legislation. Jen will also talk on the national League of Conservation Voters and what they are doing to elect pro-conservation candidates nationally.
The Baltimore Green Forum is using a new format, with a 45 minute presentation, followed by discussion and announcements, then an hour for optional break-outs into Affinity Groups. As always, there will be time for announcements and networking.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday September 23, 2012
4:00-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Maryland and Hydraulic Fracturing
Joining us is Miranda Carter of Food and Water Watch. She will be speaking on their Maryland legislative campaign on hydraulic fracturing. It’s an extremely water-intensive process where millions of gallons of fluid – typically a mix of water, sand, and chemicals, including ones known to cause cancer – are injected underground at high pressure to fracture the rock surrounding an oil or gas well. This fracking releases extra oil and/or gas from the rock, so it can flow into the well.
Fracking threatens the air we breathe, the water we drink, the communities we love and the climate on which we all depend. An excerpt from the film Pink Sky will also be shown. Check out Food and Water Watch's website: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/
The Baltimore Green Forum format starts with a 45 minute presentation, followed by break-outs into Affinity Groups, then report backs. As always, there will be time for announcements and networking.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
A monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday February 26, 2012
4:00-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Sam Hopkins
The Great Taboo Topics Among Greens:
Overpopulation and Economic Growth
Sam Hopkins will give an overview of recent films, little known activist groups, and writers who have nevertheless dared to address these taboo subjects. He will also report on his experience that he and some colleagues have had meeting with religious organizations to seek their help in achieving the huge paradigm shift that is needed.
Discussion Groups will follow the presentation. These will include a first meeting of the Population Affinity Group. There are also Economics and Spirituality Affinity Groups already in existence.
Sam had an 11 year career in the government sponsored birth control and family planning movement, beginning in 1966. This included living in Pakistan in the late 1960's where he did program research and training to help the country's then new national family planning program.
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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM
a monthly environmental education and discussion forum
Sunday January 22, 2012
4:00-6:30 PM
Maryland Presbyterian Church
1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm
Peter I. May, PhD, Senior Environmental Scientist, Biohabitats, Inc.
The Promise of New Ecotechnologies:
Biomimicry to replace some loss of wetlands and
algae farming to clean water and create biofuels
Dr. May’s Baltimore-based company offers municipalities, developers and other businesses innovative ways to support, not obstruct, our working towards a world where the earth's complex living systems are intricately linked and delicately balanced with their surroundings. -- a world where his clients’ actions conserve critical habitats -- where their projects restore ecological processes – and where their footprints regenerate natural systems. We have in Baltimore’s harbor two examples of biomimicry, one in the creation of “floating wetlands” and the other in the construction of an Algal Turf Scrubber, used to clean water and to create algae based biofuels.