GREENING GUILFORD

Upcoming green events

This Saturday, from 10-11:30 a.m.: Guilford Solar Communities will feature passive solar design.

Where:  Barn Kitchen Meeting Room, Guilford County Agricultural Center,
             3309 Burlington Rd., Greensboro, NC 27405. (Nearest cross
             street is Huffine Mill Road.)

Description:  This month’s presentation will be about Passive Solar Design. Passive Solar is the system of making use of the sun’s energy without mechanical devices.  It’s a system that was already used by the native Indians, but was “forgotten” in the modern world due to the availability of air-conditioners and heaters.  Passive solar principles are now slowly making a comeback in buildings in the U.S.
 
Presenter:  Michiel VanderSommen.  For more information, contact Michiel directly, at 558-4405.

Also on Saturday, from 2-4 p.m.: “Take Action Tour” on climate change at the Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Will include the following topics: setting a reduction goal for carbon dioxide emissions, adapting to climate change, clean cars, and ways you can make a difference. Please RSVP. Click here for more information.

On July 31: Greening Your Events & Parties (from Piedmont Environmental Alliance). Planning a wedding, conference, race or festival?  Or, maybe just a backyard BBQ?  Events and parties typically generate a lot of waste.  Learn how to make your events eco-friendly, perhaps even zero waste.  Reduce, reuse, recycle, compost – we will provide lots of suggestions, alternatives and local sources for greening your event. Join the alliance on Thursday night, July 31st, for its quarterly Environmental Exchange.  More details in the coming weeks. 

In the news: Ten Thousand Villages, with local stores in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, was recognized this month as one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine.

What are we waiting for?

The Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, president and founder of Interfaith Power and Light, asked as much during the closing keynote addresses at the conference on faith, spirituality and environmental stewardship, I attended with almost 300 others in Salisbury last week. With all the work to do globally regarding climate change, it seems the pace of change on the government, business and community level is mighty slow.

But Bingham and other presenters made the case that people of faith have much to contribute to the transition away from a carbon-based society to one that relies on conservation, efficiency and renewable energy to meet its needs. I left quite inspired to do as much as I can personally and professionally in Greensboro.

Bingham said: "I think we are at a point where enough people have realized we are destroying ourselves.... I see a wonderful horizon. It may get worse before it gets better but I believe it will get better."

To which Gary Gardner, senior researcher of the Worldwatch Institute, responded: "I don't think we should underestimate the challenge that is before us. The challenge is huge."

Highlights from the conference (pictured below is Dr. Samuel Dansokho, an associate professor at Hood Theological Seminary, who gave a presentation):

Gardner said humans need a new understanding of progress, one that is not based on material consumption and lack of boundaries. He said religion can spiritually ground people to find their self-worth in something other than wealth generation.

Matthew Sleeth, an evangelical Christian who gave up his career as an ER physician to preach a green message, said that churches are starting to open up to the message of being better stewards of their natural resources. One session he gave was on observing the sabbath, both as a way of taking care of one's health and also as a way of reducing material and energy consumption. Sleeth said on Sunday, he and his wife only drive to church. They take walks and don't require anyone else to work on that day, for example, by ordering takeout.

"I don't think God intended our lives to be one long run-on sentence," Sleeth said.

Erik Assadourian of the Worldwatch Institute listed 10 ecological ethical choices for people to follow in their daily lives: right diet, just livelihood, active political engagement, life of service, mindful consumption, family for all families (population control), renewing life rituals (and planning green versions of funerals, weddings, etc), preparing for a changing world, spreading community and shifting perspective. Assadourian said he doesn't see any reason why a coffee shop can't use reusable items, compost its waste and provide locally-produced products, such as garden produce, etc. (Sounds like a business idea!)

Of course, a lot more happened, but I think you get the point. If you are interested in any particular session, I will try to provide more information. Also, the Center for the Environment plans to some video of the keynote speakers online.

NC poll shows support for global warming solutions

N.C. Policy Watch: "Seventy-five percent of North Carolina voters favor the state taking action now to reduce global warming pollution, according to a recent statewide survey by Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling.  The poll, commissioned by Environment North Carolina, also shows that voters support the Clean Cars Program—one way of reducing global warming pollution—by a three to one margin."

Guilford County Rep. Pricey Harrison to the rescue: She is pushing for clean car legislation. Harrison is co-chairwoman of the Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change.

Hope Workshop training scheduled for May

North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light has scheduled a Greensboro-area Hope Workshop presenter training for Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. (lunch provided).

 

The workshops offer practical, hope-filled solutions available to individuals and congregations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage them to advocate for clean energy policies, according to the organization. They are typically presented at adult religious education classes and fellowship circles.

Teams exist in Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham, Raleigh and Winston-Salem, and presenters work in pairs. Those interested in attending are encouraged to invite friends and colleagues. Contact coordinator Mark Ginsberg at (919) 269-8663 for more information.

Al Gore: We need another hero generation to tackle climate change

Check out this video on TED.com, an updated talk on climate change by Al Gore. He argues for a global mobilization toward a low-carbon future and says, "We now have a culture of distraction. But we have a planetary emergency."

Also, a global campaign to stop global warming, founded by Gore.