Post-Carbon Life

On Thursday, the Post Carbon Institute is hosting a free webinar with Annie Leonard and John de Graaf called What's the future of consumerism in a world without fossil fuels? The webinar will begin at 2:30 p.m. our time on Thursday, June 30.

Consumerism after fossil fuels?

The creation of the consumer economy—a complex, interconnected system of institutions, goals, rewards, and punishments—was one of the great social projects of the twentieth century, when energy was cheaply abundant and two of our chief economic problems were overproduction and unemployment.

Join Annie Leonard of Greenpeace USA & Story of Stuff Project and John de Graaf of Take Back Your Time & The Happiness Project for a lively, free-flowing conversation about what the future of consumerism might look like in a 100% renewable energy future. We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions, too.

• What do you think are the prospects of the consumer economy in this century, when we are changing our energy sources and also dealing with climate change, water scarcity, resource depletion, and overpopulation?
• How will we create jobs if we’re not constantly expanding consumption?
• What’s the future of advertising?
• Where do you see best practices related to consumption and waste?

When: June 30, 2016 at 12:30pm Pacific/3:30pm Atlantic
How to Participate: REGISTER
Share your thoughts on this topic before the conversation.

Your input requested

On Wednesday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the UU Fellowship of La Crosse (401 West Ave S), you are welcome to participate in the monthly La Crosse area Citizen Climate Lobby meeting. You may listen to the June international call at links below. For more details, please email Larry Sleznikow.

Listen online or download the recording via Podbean
Listen via iTunes

========================================

The Sustainable La Crosse Commission will meet on Thursday, June 16^th, 5:00 PM in City Hall’s 5th Floor Conference Room to discuss the following Agenda items:

1.       Approval of April 21, 2016 Minutes
2.       Public Comment
3.       Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
4.       Staff Reports and Informational Updates
5.       Community Solar Gardens Program - Mike Herro, Xcel Energy
6.       Consideration of Sustainability program goals for fiscal year 2017
7.       Review City of Madison's Demolition Recycling and Reuse Plan

This would be a great opportunity for those of us concerned that the City continues to heavily subsidize single occupant vehicles (by, for example, budgeting MILLIONS for new parking ramps) at the expense of public transportation and bike/ped infrastructure to show up and be heard.

========================================

On Wednesday, June 21 at 6 pm in the City Hall 3rd Floor Conference Room, the City's Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet to discuss the following Agenda items:

1.       Approval of May 17, 2016 Minutes
2.       Review Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan's Engineering Benchmarks
3.       Update Progress on Capital Improvement Projects
4.       Introduce Bicycle Route Mapping Project Collaboration with UW-L
5.       Discuss Monitor Street Apron and Goose Green Trail
6.       Discuss State Coordination on Neighborhood Greenways 

Viroqua Film Screening

Green Power Generation and The Ark present a screening of This Changes Everything on Thursday, June 30th at 7pm at The Ark in Viroqua. An open forum discussion will take place following the screening of the film.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/IpuSt_ST4_U

Admission is FREE and refreshments will be available for purchase with proceeds going directly to support The Ark and it's service to the community.

For more information, see the facebook event page.

Solar Energy Group Buy Informational Meetings - Eau Claire

Now is a great time to install solar panels on the rooftop of your home or business to generate your own electricity. Attend an informational meeting presented by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) to learn how you can take part in the clean energy revolution at the most affordable cost.

When: June 30th or July 14th, 6:30 pm
Where: Energy Education Center, 4000 Campus Drive
West Campus of Chippewa Valley Technical College

Sessions include information about:

• How rooftop solar works
• The purpose and advantage of a group buy process
• Typical pricing and financial information
• Approximate timeline for the group buy process
• Google Earth viewing of homes or businesses for initial determination of site viability

There is no obligation or cost to attend these sessions. Affordable Solar (a solar energy citizen advocacy group of the Chippewa Valley) is partnering with MREA to bring interested home or business owners together with an installer to install solar energy on Eau Claire area rooftops.

For more information, contact Affordable Solar at affordablesolarcv@gmail.com

Blufflands Conservation Plan Meeting TONIGHT!

From the La Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC):

A Plan For Conservation And Recreation

Throughout The La Crosse - La Crescent Region

Public Informational Meeting

When: Thursday June 2nd, 2016, 7 – 9 pm

Where: Black River Beach House (1433 Rose St., La Crosse)
 

Draft Document Available: Visit LAPC.org, see “Blufflands Plan” on the home page

Who Should Participate: Recreation Enthusiasts, Conservation Patrons,

Bluffland Landowners, Public Servants, Residents and all who enjoy the
active and passive benefits of “The Blufflands”
 

The Blufflands Plan is an initiative of the La Crosse Area Planning Committee (LACP) to organize a regional approach to the permanent protection and recreational use of our bluffs. The plan identifies additional lands to protect and a variety of public access and recreation enhancements, including a regional trail route, trailheads, and consistent signage. The plan also suggests creation of a Bluffland Coalition to coordinate implementation efforts, and a funding strategy.

This meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the draft plan and offer feedback prior to its final editing and adoption later this summer. The meeting will begin with a presentation shortly after 7:00, followed by time to share written and verbal comments in an open house format.

For Questions or comments contact the La Crosse County Planner, Charlie Handy at (608) 785-9722, or: Check

out the County's website for upcoming meetings, agendas at: www.co.la-crosse.wi.us