Global Problems, Local Solutions     
 

International Conference
on Peak Oil and Climate Change:
Paths to Sustainability
   

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Click on a green link below to view a presentation.

* Live interactive video conference

MAIN STAGE PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Lidums & Dr. Schweitzer - Ethical Perspectives: Earth-Human Community

Dr. Olaf R. Lidums is an Assistant Professor at Ecumenical Theological Seminary, in Detroit, teaching in the areas of Ecological, Ethical, Urban and Pastoral Ministries. Dr. Linda Schweitzer is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and the Director of the Environmental Science Program at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. She got her Ph.D. in 1998 and has, “been learning reality ever since”.  The presentation on “Ethical Perspectives” clarifies various views and understanding of ethics in classical and contemporary terms as they bear on ecological issues today. An ecological framework of “Earth – Human Community” is presented, leading into a discussion of ethics and consciousness, culture, and the recovery of naturalistic spirituality – i.e., a sense of the sacredness of all life.

Peter Sinclair - Climate Change: Shooting Down the Skeptics

Peter Sinclair will focus on how to "win the water cooler wars" - shooting down the common "Climate skeptic' arguments that have kept so many citizens confused for a decade. Sinclair is one of a thousand individual Climate Presenters trained by the world's leading climate experts and Nobel Winner Al Gore to present the documented facts of Global Climate Change to grassroots audiences throughout America. Since January of 2007, Sinclair has made this presentation throughout Michigan, to thousands of citizens, in civic groups, churches, schools, Universities, colleges, Regulatory and Governmental groups. Sinclair is a life long resident of Michigan, a graduate of the University of Michigan, and a long time advocate of environmental awareness in the Great Lakes area. An award winning graphic artist, illustrator, and animator.

Dr. Linda Schweitzer - Mass Extinction

Dr. Linda Schweitzer is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and the Director of the Environmental Science Program at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. She got her Ph.D. in 1998 and has, “been learning reality ever since”. Dr. Schweitzer worked in biotech research and environmental consulting prior to her academic appointment. Her areas of expertise include environmental restoration and assessment and water quality and technology. Her newest interest in light of peak oil awareness is to promote new ways of living in order to restore the planet and live sustainably. She is presenting on “Mass Extinction” – human alteration of the planet, and changes that influence our prospects for future living.

Dr. Dan O'Keefe - Potential Impacts of Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region

After working on research projects involving declining fish species and the recovery of river fisheries following Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Dan O’Keefe joined Michigan Sea Grant as an extension educator. In his current role, he provides science-based information to people who rely on the Great Lakes ecosystem, with special attention to changes occurring due to factors such as climate change and invasive species.

Dawn Moncrief - Food Choice for a Well-Fed World

Dawn Moncrief is the executive director at FARM, the Farm Animal Rights Movement, a non-profit, public-interest organization in Washington, DC. She has two masters degrees from The George Washington University: one in international relations, the other specializing in women-in-development. Her presentation “Food Choice for a Well-Fed World” explains the health and environmental benefits of reducing global meat consumption. She explains how improving our food choices will conserve oil, land and water… reduce global warming and pollution… and decrease the price of basic food staples, thus decreasing hunger for the world’s poor and increasing food security for all.

Bill James - jPods: Personal Rapid Transit

JPods is Personal Rapid Transit, a Physical-Internet. Look up the site you want to go to; JPods, computers and rails take you there at 200 miles per gallon. Bill James is founder of JPods, an on-demand transport system that creates a circulatory system for a economic community. Goods and people are transported on-demand. Solar collectors 6-foot wide over the rails powers the networks. An agreement to deploy such a system at the Mall of America is pending raising the $3 million in capital required. Bill studied physics and engineering at West Point, Class of 1972. He spent 8 years in the Infantry. He is an experienced farmer, soldier, manufacturer and computer programmer.

Kurt Cobb - Energy: At the Root of Our Environmental Problems

Kurt Cobb is a freelance writer who speaks and writes frequently on energy and the environment. He is a columnist for the Paris-based science news site Scitizen (pronounced like “citizen”) and his work has also been featured on Energy Bulletin, 321energy, Le Monde Diplomatique, EV World, The Wall Street Journal Online and many other sites. Kurt is a founding member of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas—USA and has served on the board of the Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance. Today, he will speak about why energy is at the root of our environmental problems.

Aaron Wissner - The Mechanism of Mischief

Earlier this year, Aaron Wissner was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal for his role in the peak oil education campaign. Wissner founded the nonprofit educational organization Local Future which is hosting the first ever International Conference on Peak Oil and Climate Change: Paths to Sustainability. He speaks, writes, and produces videos on peak oil and climate change. His extensive online journal, "Value System: Gas Prices, Peak Oil, Money and The Future" consists of over 100 essay by Wissner as he has documented his attempt to understand the world.  Wissner is a public school teacher of sixteen years; a former president of his local, county, and regional Education Associations.

Julian Darley - Tipping Points, Triggers & Transitions: First Steps Into The Post-Peak World

Julian Darley, founder and president of Post Carbon Institute, will talk about the former general reluctance to accept the concept of peak oil, why it has been difficult to do much about it even for those that do accept it, and why things are changing now. He will discuss some of the signs that peak oil is arriving in the mainstream and how this changes the way that peak oil realists should respond. Julian Darley will offer a brief outline of what a post-peak world will begin to look like and why relocalization is the best way to transition to such a world.

Pat Murphy – Beyond Sustainability: Surviving Peak Oil and Climate Change

To address shrinking fossil fuel supplies, increasing CO2 emissions, and rising global inequity we need to make immediate and drastic cuts to our energy use. Learn about viable curtailment strategies for food, housing, and transportation, why most “sustainable” and “green” techniques are inadequate, and how we can create cooperative low-energy communities to survive. Pat Murphy is the Executive Director of Community Solutions in Yellow Springs, Ohio, co-writer and co-producer of the film, “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil” (2006) and author of the forthcoming book “Plan C: Community Survival Strategies for Peak Oil and Climate Change.”

Bill Wilson - Permaculture

Author and environmentalist, Dr. David Suzuki has stated that: "What permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet." In this session we will explore why Dr. Suzuki would make such a statement and take a look at some hopeful examples of how permaculture can move us towards a truly sustainable culture. Bill Wilson is a communitarian, permaculturist and educator. He is co-founder with his wife Rebecca of Midwest Permaculture; past executive director of Center for Sustainable Community (an educational, non-profit organization) and a 30 year resident of the sustainably oriented community of Stelle, Illinois.

Dr. Jan Bartlett - Hopefully Green: Establishing a Coalition for Research on Quality of Life in Green Communities

Jan Bartlett, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in Counselor Education at the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Bartlett has numerous publications, and has conducted many regional, national, and international presentations. Her research focused on intergenerational connections in youth development now includes community engagement on green linking issues, documentary film, and a regular perspectives column in the Grundy County Register. This presentation seeks to engage academics and community leaders in identifying villages and towns interested in developing a network for grant writing and research to generate data on the positive aspects of downsizing. Green, sustainable communities hold tremendous hope for the future.

Megan Quinn Bachman – Surviving Peak Oil, Thriving in Community

We, the peak oil aware, have a lot of work ahead of us. How can we move forward armed and inspired to implement the ideas generated this weekend? It’s about more than weathering the coming global crises; it’s about creating a truly sustainable, cooperative world on the other side. Megan Quinn Bachman is the Outreach Director of Community Solutions in Yellow Springs, Ohio, a non-profit focused on local and personal peak oil responses. She was a co-writer and co-producer of the film, “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil” (2006).

Version 28

Copyright © 2008 Local Future

Local Future is a nonprofit organization, which is seeking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status, and is not affiliated with any religion, political party, or other organization.