Calling Sustainability Leaders! U.S./Canada Citizen's Summit for Sustainable Development, March 24th and 25th at Yale University

As a Steering Committee member for the Summit, the Human Impacts Institute is proud to announce an open call for participants in the U.S./Canada Citizen's Summit for Sustainable Development, which will take place on Saturday March 24th and Sunday March 25th, 2012, at Yale University in New Haven, CT.  

This FREE summit is open to all sustainability practitioners in the U.S. and Canada and will be an opportunity for all to network, share resources, build skills, and engage our communities in the Road to Rio+20 and sustainable development!  Space is limited to only 180 registrants, so please confirm your nominations for attendance ASAP.  

Nominated participants should be current practitioners in sustainability in the U.S. or Canada and we welcome public officials, private sector representatives, educators, activists, students, funders, NGOs, community organizers, indigenous, faith leaders, artists, and many more.  To nominate yourself or a colleague, please fill out the nomination form here: U.S./Canada Citizen's Summit Nomination Form. Nominations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, so please send your nominations soon!  

Many thanks for your participation.  We look forward to seeing you at Yale!

Sincerely,
Tara DePorte

Founder and Executive Director

The Human Impacts Institute

NOTE:  There is no travel or lodging funding available at this time. Participation in the Summit is FREE and we request that organizations/groups select 1-2 representatives for the Summit to increase our diversity.  

2011 Water Research Symposium at Virginia Tech - November 15th

Help Spread the Word about the “2011 Water Research Symposium.”

Coal and Water in Central Appalachia: The Challenge to Balance

November 15, 2011

The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center

Blacksburg, Virginia

http://www.wvwaterconference.org

Please forward this announcement to your friends and colleagues with an interest in policies and scientific information associated with water resources and coal mining in the central Appalachians.

Please post the attached flyer about the symposium on your office or department bulletin board.

About the Symposium

Invited speakers will provide perspectives on water-protection policies that affect mining operations. Technical presentations will address the influences of coal mining practices on total dissolved solids, selenium, aquatic biota, and hydrology of rivers and streams in the region. Symposium participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and contribute to group discussions.

Registration

Registration allows for participation in all symposium activities, including refreshment breaks and lunch. Standard registration is $110.00.  Currently enrolled students are eligible to participate in the symposium at the student registration rate of $80.00. To register, go to http://www.wvwaterconference.org.

Professional Development Opportunity
A certificate of attendance will be awarded for 5 contact hours to registered attendees who participate in the full symposium.

Lodging – Special Rates in Effect until October 14, 2011

Rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn, across from The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, at the special rate of $95 plus tax per room for the evening of November 14, 2011. To make your room reservation, call (540) 552-7001 and request the "Water Research Symposium" rate. The special rate only applies while rooms are available in our block and only until October 14, 2011.

For more information

To learn more about the symposium, see http://www.wvwaterconference.org.  If you have questions, please contact Ms. Jane Walker at (540) 231-4159 or janewalk@vt.edu.

Hosted By

Virginia Water Resources Research Center

West Virginia Water Research Institute

Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

Mid-Atlantic Students Invited to Co-op Convergence 9/30-10/2

Mid-Atlantic Student Food Co-op Convergence

September 30 - October 2, 2011; Philadelphia, PA

Anyone affiliated with a university or college within the Mid-Atlantic region who is interested in food justice, food sustainability or food sovereignty is invited to attend this gathering. The event will be organized in two tracks; one for organizing and starting projects and one for operating established projects. Participants will develop business and accounting skills, gain tools to help effectively recruit and organize students, learn more about the food system and cooperative movement, and collaborate with others in the region.

2nd Annual WCL-CIEL International Env Law Conference (3/21)

Cosponsored by the Program on International and Comparative Environmental Law, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), and

the Sustainable Development Law and Policy Publication

March 21, 2011

1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, followed by reception

American University Washington College of Law

4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Room 603

1:00 pm Registration

1:15 pm Welcome Remarks:

David Hunter, Director of the Program on International and Comparative Environmental Law, American University Washington College of Law, and

Carroll Muffett, President and CEO, Center for International Environmental Law

1:30 pm Keynote Speaker:

Daniel Magraw, President Emeritus and Distinguished Scholar, Center for International Environmental Law

2:00 pm Developments in International Environmental Law/MEAs

Moderator: Dr. Marcos A. Orellana, Director, Human Rights and the Environment Program, Center for International Environmental Law

Panelists:

Niranjali Amerasinghe, Staff Attorney, Climate Change Program, Center for International Environmental Law (Climate Change)

Serena Corbetta, Associate, Butti & Partners Avvocati (Italy) (the European Union’s Steps to Regulate E-Waste)

Margaret Spring, Chief of Staff, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce (CITES and Fisheries)

John M. Fitzgerald, Policy Director, Society for Conservation Biology (the Convention on Biological Diversity)

3:30 pm Coffee Break
3:45 pm Global Environmental Governance

Moderator: Philip Vergragt, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Technology Assessment, Delft University, and Senior Associate, Tellus Institute

Panelists:

Tseming Yang, Deputy General Counsel for International Affairs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Brennan Van Dyke, Senior Advisor to the CEO, Global Environment Facility
Lalanath de Silva, Director, The Access Initiative, World Resources Institute
Tatiana R. Zaharchenko, Visiting Scholar, Environmental Law Institute

5:15 pm Closing Remarks:

Carroll Muffett, President and CEO, Center for International Environmental Law, and David Hunter, Director of the Program on International and Comparative Environmental Law, American University Washington College of Law

5:30 pm: Reception

---

General registration is free but required. Please register by going to www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration. 3.5 CLE Credits will be applied for –

---

---

registration fee is $75. For further information, please contact:

---

---

Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education, American University Washington College of Law. Phone: 202.274.4075; Fax: 202.274.4079; or secle@wcl.american.edu

Getting Down to Business: Scaling Up Agricultural Development in Africa

DATE: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 - 08:00 - Wednesday, March 2, 2011 - 17:00

LOCATION:
Washington Court Hotel
525 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

The Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa is pleased to announce the third annual US-Africa Forum:

Getting Down to Business: Scaling Up Agricultural Development in Africa

Preliminary conference agenda
Registration form
Volunteer at the conference

This year’s Forum will take place at a time of significant transition. In Africa, there is growing ownership of national agricultural development strategies and progress in implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP). In the US, the Obama Administration has substantially increased funding for demand-driven agricultural development and food security, designating the Feed the Future (FTF) initiative as one of two top foreign assistance priorities. At the same time, however, the slow economic recovery, combined with an escalating budget deficit, is ushering in a new era of fiscal austerity which is likely to affect US foreign assistance. And, most recently, there has been a resurgence of food price volatility and concern about how countries will respond to this threat.

With these important changes as the backdrop, the goals for the 2011 Forum are:

To assess progress made over the past year, in Africa and the US, towards achieving our shared vision of “more and better” investments in African agriculture that significantly boosts agricultural productivity and market development, and leads to improved food security, nutrition and incomes; and

To develop clear recommendations for actions that will accelerate efforts to “get down to business” and scale up impacts of the CAADP and Feed the Future initiatives.

The 2011 Forum discussions will focus on two main themes which we believe are critical to increasing the effectiveness and scale of food security efforts: partnership and “learning while doing.” Our discussions will address the effectiveness and reach of partnerships in four key areas: providing emergency food and nutrition assistance while promoting long-term food security; building farmer organizations and associations; boosting private investment; and linking the community of higher education, research and training organizations. As we implement, it is essential to track what is working and what is not. Conference discussions will also review plans and progress related to monitoring and evaluation in CAADP and FTF, and consider opportunities and options for learning while doing in these frameworks.

As in the past, we will strive to give voice to diverse perspectives from African, US and multilateral partners. The Forum will feature a mix of keynote speakers, plenary presentations, and guided breakout group discussions that will drive toward the identification of practical options for addressing key problems.

Forum Agenda: Please click here to view a preliminary Forum agenda.

Forum Registration: Please download and complete the Forum registration form, then fax to 202-488-0590, email as attachment to rvoss@partnership-africa.org or mail to Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa, 499 S Capitol Street SW, Suite 500B, Washington, DC 20003. The deadline for registration is COB February 16, 2011. You will receive a confirmation email when we have processed and confirmed your space at the conference, no later than February 18, 2011. If you need to plan travel in advance, please submit your registration form as soon as possible and indicate your need for early confirmation.

Please note: Space is limited, and we expect the Forum to reach capacity. Priority will be given to members of the Partnership and early registrants.

Ray Almeida Fund: In lieu of a conference fee, the Partnership will again be collecting donations to the Ray Almeida Fund, established at last year’s Forum to honor the late Ray Almeida, a longtime Partnership colleague and passionate advocate for Africa’s small farmers. The Fund facilitates the participation of African civil society and farm organization leaders in important events related to African agriculture, food security and trade. Please visit our website for more information on the Fund and our 2010 Ray Almeida Fellow. The suggested minimum contribution for all Forum participants is $25 per individual. Checks should be written to the “Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa” with “Ray Almeida Fund” on the memo line. Checks may be mailed to the Partnership with your registration form or handed to the Partnership staff at the Forum registration table.

We hope you will be able to join us for two days of lively and substantive discussions around shared experiences, lessons, and recommendations for next steps on Scaling Up Agricultural Development in Africa.

Please direct any related questions to Rachel Voss at rvoss@partnership-africa.org. If experiencing difficulties accessing the agenda and registration form, please try again later; we anticipate heavy traffic to the Partnership website.

"Innovations that Nourish the Planet"

I believe the RSVP for this event has passed, but note the website will have a broadcast.

15th Annual State of the World 2011 Symposium

"Innovations that Nourish the Planet"

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011
1779 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036-2103

Time: Briefing: 1:30pm - 5:00pm;
Reception: 5:00 - 6:30pm

Venue: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC

Video of the event will be broadcast on www.NourishingthePlanet.orgg

Speakers:
Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
David Beckmann, President, Bread for the World
Hans Herren, President, Millennium Institute
Christopher Flavin, President, Worldwatch Institute
Danielle Nierenberg, Senior Researcher & Co-project Director, Worldwatch Institute, Nourishing the Planet
Sara Scherr, President and CEO, Ecoagriculture Partners
Edward Mukiibi, Co-founder and Project Coordinator, Developing Innovations in School Cultivation (DISC), Uganda
Sithembile Ndema, Natural Resources and Environment Programme Manager, Food and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), South Africa
Meera Shekar, Lead Health & Nutrition Specialist with the Human Development Network at the World Bank
Stephanie Hanson, Director of Policy and Outreach, One Acre Fund

About the Event

Agricultural development has come to a crossroads. Nearly a half-century after the Green Revolution a large share of the human family is still chronically hungry. At the same time, investments in agricultural development by governments, international lenders, and foundations are at historic lows. But recently, a new generation of innovative approaches to hunger alleviation has emerged from farmers groups, private voluntary organizations, universities, and agribusiness companies.

Please join the pioneers of environmentally sustainable agriculture practices for an afternoon briefing that will explore the innovative next steps required to create a sustainable food system.

*Please RSVP by January 12, 2011 to astone@worldwatch.org or call Amanda Stone at 202.452.1999 ext 514

Reminder: volunteer at Peak Oil conference

All - I just wanted to reiterate this opportunity to volunteer for ~2 hours and get free registration to a weekend conference in DC about Peak Oil. Please contact me (Peter) if you're interested.

This is a friendly reminder that our registration fees for next week's conference will increase to on site rates on October 7, 2010. If you plan to attend and have not registered please do so as soon as possible. We hope to see you in Washington, DC next week!

• Speakers Dinner Friday Evening is included with ASPO-USA Membership
• New Registration Categories
• Full Conference Agenda
• Full Speaker List

2010 Peak Oil Conference
The Future of Oil, Energy, and the Economy

Oct 7-9 Washington, DC
For More Information visit http://www.aspousa.org/

US-India Energy Security Summit 9/29

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Yale University, in
association with the US India Business Council, are convening the second
US-India Energy Partnership Summit, this coming Wednesday (September 29),
in Washington. The summit will focus on "Technologies and Policies for
Energy Security," and is being attended by many of the key stake holders in
the growing US India relationship on climate and energy.

Attached is a student registration form (word doc) and
the agenda. The website is here (http://www.terina.org/usindiasummit/).
We have a few spaces open for graduate students, and it will be on a first
come, first serve basis. Students will attend free of cost.

Great opportunities at Peak Oil conference.

Hi all! I said I would return with more details about the ASPO conference on Peak Oil. They are looking for volunteers, and just two hours worth of volunteering will get you free admittance to an event where you'll meet some of the major players around DC. See the invitation below for full event details to just attend, or contact me and Liz Longenecker directly (liz@terrachord.com) if you're interested in volunteering.

Who: Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas-USA (ASPO-USA)
What: 6th Annual International Conference on Peak Oil
When: October 7-9 (Thurs. - Sat.), 2010
Where: Capitol Hill Hyatt Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Why: To Alert Policy Makers & Public of Pending Energy Crisis
Contact: Jim Baldauf, 512-517-2663; Kim Comart, 617-548-6442

What Do These People Have in Common:

Bianca Jagger, Ralph Nader, the US Navy,
Dr. James Schlessinger, Jeff Rubin?

They all Say the Peak Oil Debate is Over! (and are keynote speakers at the event)

Washington, D.C. - The ASPO-USA Peak Oil Conference, October 7-9, will be the sixth annual gathering of international energy experts from industry, academia, government, NGOs and the environmental community. The previous conferences have been highly acclaimed by attendees, media, participants and the energy community.

Speakers this year will include Bianca Jagger (International Climate Change and Human Rights Advocate), Ralph Nader (Energy Reform Sdvocate), Dr. James Schlesinger (Former Sec. State, Sec. Energy, and CIA Dir.), Jeff Rubin (Former Chief Economist CIBC), Rear Admiral Lawrence Rice (USN), Dr. Charles Schlumberger (World Bank), Charlie Maxwell, (Chief Energy Analyst, Weeden & Co), Dr. Robert Hirsch (the Hirsch Report to DOE), Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, (R-MD), (Founder of the Congressional Peak Oil Caucus), and other prominent energy analysts.

The conference will cover subjects ranging from national security to personal and institutional investing.

The Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas (ASPO-USA) is concerned about the peak and decline of all hydrocarbon energy sources. Crude oil, natural gas and coal are the top three energy sources for our nation; they are all finite resources that will, sooner rather than later, peak and decline in supply; and they are also at the heart of two major tragedies and one possible future problem during the last year: the BP deepwater disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the West Virginia coal mine explosion, and the fracking of shale formations and possible pollution of ground water.

According to ASPO-USA president and co-founder, Jim Baldauf, “We are drilling miles below the Gulf of Mexico and trying to squeeze oil and gas from shale rock because the conventional land-based oil and gas reservoirs are becoming depleted. The low-hanging fruit has been picked and we are scraping the bottom of the barrel.”

ASPO-USA is a non-profit, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt group that is dedicated to research, study and education, rather than advocacy of specific policy goals. That said, the organization does advocate general policies that will help to ensure our country's ongoing security and prosperity. Peak and decline of hydrocarbon production without intelligent responses and effective mitigation planning will impact U.S. business, jobs, and our entire economy.

“There are no silver bullet techno-fixes at this time: a combination of increased conservation, improved efficiency, faster alternative energy development, and greater oversight in prudent exploration and production are needed immediately,” Baldauf says.

The conference is supported by more than 40 sponsors, publications, websites and partnering associations. Call Greg Geyer for sponsorship opportunities at 413-684-2403, or visit www.aspousa.org/worldoil2010/ .



Headline Sponsors:
M. Gottlieb Associates, Inc.

Ravenna Capital Management


ASPO-USA


Call 877-363-ASPO (2776) or email webmaster@aspousa.org

Peak Oil Conference (wants you to help!)

Stay tune for updates from me on this one. This group was asking for students to help out.

Join us in Washington, DC Oct 7-9 for our
6th annual dialogue with the experts on peak oil, energy and the economy.

ASPO (The Assoc. for the Study of Peak Oil)-USA members and subscribers receive a $100 discount on all registration categories through Sept 14, 2010

Register Now

More Tangible Benefits Than Ever!

Sometimes change is glacial, sometimes swiftly chaotic. Get the latest data from the best sources with up-to-date numbers on both conventional and unconventional production, depletion, flows, costs, and the opportunities and challenges that come with them.

Keynote Speakers

Geopolitics: Dr. James Schlesinger will announce and explain, once and for all, with updated finality that "The Peak Oil Debate is Over", for above-ground and below-ground reasons;

Global Trade: Jeff Rubin will present his views on the "End of Globalization" due to energy constraints and be available all week as part of our interactive discussions;

National Security: Admiral Lawrence Rice will explain the U.S. military's peak oil warnings during our Saturday plenary on national security with Michael Klare, Lt. Colonel Danny Davis, and Tom Whipple;

Transportation: Dr. Charles Schlumberger of the World Bank will discuss liquid fuel concerns in aviation while Dr. Roger Bezdek, Anthony Perl and others will focus their analysis on the future of transportation.

Investing: learn the personal and institutional upsides and downsides from the Dean of the Energy Analysts, Charlie Maxwell, and don't miss our popular peak oil investing sessions with Dr. Schlumberger, Jim Hansen, Lily Donge, Gregor Macdonald and others.

See Full Agenda and Speakers

* It's not just another great ASPO-USA Conference. It's Conference+Plus. It's the Year of Hydrocarbon Hell, and our peak oil message will not be ignored by the powers that be. Just to make sure, we are taking the message to the policymakers with a Senate Briefing, a House Briefing, a National Press Club news conference, and other targeted outreach efforts inside and outside the Beltway. Two highly-respected consulting firms are helping to organize ASPO's first ever fire-hose-data-flow to lawmakers. First come, first served with strictly limited seating for these special events.

* Sometimes wine and hors d'oevers are better than PowerPoints. Imagine you're at the opening reception having a drink with Art Berman, and you ask about his work on the 2010 National Petroleum Council Study. He shares with you the latest input from Jean LaHerrere. Or you overhear some information about the forensic investigation of the BP blowout preventer. This kind of information doesn't come with the DVDs.

Come to the Conference on the Future of Energy

Register Today!