***Call for Papers***
 
More footprints less carbon - The 10th International Conference on Walking and Liveable Communities
 
New York City Department of Transportation is proud to host the 10th annual Walk21 conference, Walk21 New York City, 2009.
 
The conference will take place at New York University in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, from Wednesday, October 7th to Friday, October 9th,2009
 
It is going to be a very exciting conference in a city that is working hard to create more walkable communities across its streets and public spaces.  We look forward to bringing together a rich and diverse group of professionals, politicians, academics and public advocates through this conference to celebrate achievements for walking around the world, to share what works in New York City and places like it, and to bring walking into the mainstream of politics, planning, investment and delivery.
 
In the current context of the challenges facing our economies, the environment, our social health and welfare, walking remains at the heart of solutions and opportunities for redress.  The themes for Walk21 2009 reflect these critical times and the conference seeks to provide guidance and inspiration to support the development of walkable environments and to establish walking as a dynamic part of modern living.  
 
The themes are:
 
Theme 1: Walkable communities are sustainable communities
 
Theme 2: Paved with gold: investing in the public realm for a successful city
 
Theme 3: There is more to walking than walking; design strategies for urban quality
 
Theme 4: Fit cities: community design for active living
 
We will be hosting pre- and post-conference workshops, training seminars, walking tours and other activities in addition to the core days.  The conference will include plenaries, breakouts, posters, walkshops and opportunities for side meetings and spontaneous gatherings and debate.
 
Proposals for papers, presenters, workshops, poster displays, walkshops, and pre- and post-conference workshops are now being sought for Walk21 New York City that can provide insight, guidance and support within each of the conference themes, from local to international levels.
 
Submissions must be forwarded to the following mail address: walk21nyc@dot.nyc.gov by February 27, 2009.  More detail is given in the submission guidelines attached.
 
We look forward to seeing you in New York and celebrating the 10th Walk21 international conference!

www.walk21.com

MTV and Ashoka GenV want to know what solutions you have and how you can help improve the environment. Submit your ideas and you can get up to US$1,000 to make your ideas a reality. Some of you might even be featured in a new MTV show in 2009!

At MTV Switch, it’s not about what you can’t do… it’s about what you can.

That’s why this year, MTV Switch is excited to team up with Ashoka GenV to help you make a greater impact on the environment – by helping you turn your bright ideas into reality.

Come up with a creative idea for how you can make our planet cooler or greener and we will help you launch your own environmental project or “venture.”

Ashoka GenV will give you support and even seed funding of up to US$1,000 to put your ideas into action.

The best projects may be featured in a half hour MTV documentary scheduled for Earth Day 2009.

Also, The Lemelson Foundation will award five project leaders a trip to Boston, USA to take part in a roundtable discussion
on climate change at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ideas are reviewed on an on-going basis and projects can be launched anytime. Do not wait until December 31, 2008 (deadline) to submit your idea.

Here’s the step-by-step guide for how to take part in the Dream It. Do It. Challenge:

1) Dream It:

Come up with a creative (fun?) idea for improving our environment. The bigger the impact the better. Be original. Need inspiration? Check out Get Inspired or “Your Ideas” for some examples.

2) Submit It:

Send us your idea in just 200 words. Tell us: what’s your new idea, how you will create change, and what impact will you make. If you can send us your own photos to show us the “problem” or the “solution” or both. We will feature the best entries in “Your Ideas.”

3) Plan It:

Once we receive your idea, we will send you an action plan and help you plan your project well.

4) Do It:

Submit your action plan and present your project to a panel of mentors to receive feedback and advice.Once approved, you will receive your grant, and you are then ready to launch your environmental venture.Do it!

***The challenge is open to all youth between the ages of 12 and 20 in North America and Europe and 12 and 24 everywhere else. Proof of age will be required before grants can be approved.

http://www.mtv-venture.org/en/challenge.html

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Energy from Biomass & Waste International Symposium (Venice)
Date: Nov 17-20, 2008
Location:  Venice, Italy
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VENICE 2008 - Second International Symposium on Energy from Biomass and Waste

The production of energy from alternative sources represents one of the main strategic tools implicated in the sustainable development of our society.

Accordingly, numerous types of biomass and wastes contribute towards the production of energy by means of biological, chemical and thermal processes. Further to meeting the need for alternative sources of energy, in modern integrated waste management scenarios the waste-to-energy process allows the cycle to be closed. Existing biomass and waste to energy technologies are currently undergoing rapid development: processes are being optimised and new ideas for technical application proposed. Despite the growing interest in the use of these technologies, in many countries their implementation remains limited, chiefly due to reasons other than those of a technical and economical nature (i.e. scarce public acceptance, negative past experiences, insufficient knowledge, to mention but a few).

The aim of the Venice 2008 Symposium is to focus on the advances made in the application of technologies for energy recovery from biomass and waste and to encourage discussion on relevant aspects such as:

- reliability of processes and technologies,
- full scale applicability of new processes,
- technical and economical optimization,
- improvement of energy balance,
- environmental impact and potential health effects,
- information and education,
- selection of the appropriate process for the specific situation,
- adaptation of technologies to different geographical and cultural situations.

http://www.venicesymposium.it/


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Managing Without Growth: Slower by Design, Not Disaster
Date: Nov 18, 2008 (5-7pm)
Location: The Boiler House, Distillery District, 55 Mill St, Toronto, ON
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Please join Toronto Mayor David Miller, David Suzuki
and Karen Kraft Sloan for the Canadian launch of
Peter Victor's new book,

Managing without Growth:
Slower by Design, Not Disaster

More info:
http://www.managingwithoutgrowth.com/
http://www.pvictor.com/


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Greening Our Cities: An Evening with David Suzuki
Date: Nov 20, 2008 (7pm)
Location: John Bassett Theatre, MTC North Building, Toronto, ON
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David Suzuki public lecture
David Suzuki will speak about the importance of trees in Greening Our Cities in a public lecture presented by the Toronto chapter of LO. The event begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 each and members can purchase them on line at www.locc.ca. The public can purchase tickets at www.landscapeontario.com. Proceeds from this event will go to the Sick Kids Foundation and the Toronto Botanical Garden. Limited tickets are available from shop TBG, please call 416-397-1357 for info.

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Green Building 101
Date: Nov 20, 2008 (6-8pm)
Location: Sustainable Building Centre, 1575 Johnston St. Granville Island, BC
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In response to overwhelming interest, we offer a two-hour, non-technical “Green Building 101” for homeowners interested in learning how to “green” their home!

Participants will gain a general understanding of green design ideas, issues and processes, develop a set of personal green goals for their home, and leave with a practical resource workbook. Confused about where to start, who to talk to and what questions to ask? Then this course is for you!

Key concepts:
"Green" Design and construction practices significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants in five broad areas;

* Site planning
* Water and water efficiency
* Energy efficiency and renewable energy
* Conservation of materials and resources
* Indoor environmental air quality

...using a systems approach and an integrated design process

Register: http://101forhomesnov20.eventbrite.com/
sustainablebuildingcentre.com

Cost: $26 (including course workbook)

Please note: There is no refund for cancellations within 48 hours; however, you can transfer your registration to another date for an administration fee of $15.


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Great Lakes CSA Conference 2008
Date: Nov 21-23, 2008
Location: Orilla, ON
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The Community Shared Agriculture Conference endeavors to generate support for small community-based farm operations.

The conference will bring together CSA farmers and members, prospective CSA farmers and small-farm supporters. Over 150 people are expected to attend this bilingual event.

Workshops and presentations will focus on practical techniques, tools and resources specific to organics and CSA farming. Topics include production, marketing and financial aspects of running a CSA operation.

Unique to the 2008 conference, a CSA mini-school will be offered to novice farmers or existing farm operators interested in switching to a CSA program.

Mark the dates on your calendar and plan to attend!

http://www.csaconference2008.ca/


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Socially Conscious Consumerism - Knowledge Forum
Date: Nov 21, 2008
Location: Toronto, ON
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Dialogue with other managers and researchers about one of the most pressing sustainability issues facing business today: How do consumers take social and environmental attributes into account when making purchase decisions?

The Research Network for Business Sustainability, in partnership with the Richard Ivey School of Business, will bring together more than 65 professionals from academia, industry, government and non-governmental organizations in an environment for interactive learning and networking.

This event, held at the Ivey ING Leadership Centre, will include facilitated dialogue workshops in which participants will learn from each others' experiences. Four speakers will present their expertise between the dialogue workshops

http://www.ivey.ca/bsv/consumers


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Change the Story, Change the Future
Date:  Nov 23, 2008
Location: Tatamagouche Centre, NS
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Based on David Korten's work, "The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community", join Bill Scarvie for a day program exploring the stories that we humans live and are defined by. The premise is that these stories have largely been under the control of institutions that are organized by the dominator principles of Empire, encouraging consumption and exploitation of precious resources.

This workshop will review these stories and principles, and present an alternative - the "great turning" toward the partnership principles of Earth Community. Participants will learn to recognize stories of Empire, and to craft alternative stories of Earth Community, to change the world.

Cost: $75 includes tuition, lunch, snacks

Participants are encouraged to read the book, or visit:
www.yesmagazine.org/greatturning/


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Education for Sustainable Development Conference
Date: Nov 26-28, 2008
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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Choose the Future is a conference for everyone who understands that education is required to sustain our future. Be a part of this unique forum on the actions and connections between achieving economic goals, just social systems, and a healthy environment.

Designed for educators who wish to embed the principles and practices of sustainable development in their teaching and program planning, this conference also applies to leaders of business, NGO’s and government who wish to engage their employees and stakeholders in sustainable practices and operations.

With industry leading speakers highlighting a range of sustainable development topics, the conference also showcases the Manitoba Sustainable Development Round Table 2008 Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Awards. These awards, developed by the Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development, recognize and honour people, projects, and ideas that successfully turn the principles and guidelines of sustainable development into concrete, lasting achievements.

This conference is a project of the Manitoba Education for Sustainable Development Working Group (MESDWG), which brings together stakeholders from the formal, non-formal, and informal education sectors in an effort to further develop, communicate and promote ESD in Manitoba.

www.mesdwg.ca


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Urban Farming
Date: Nov 29, 2008 (2-4pm)
Location: Sustainable Building Centre, 1575 Johnston St. Granville Island, BC
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Ward was raised on a large farm in Saskatchewan. He has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, with a major in Horticulture. He has been a professional Agrologist since 1989, and has over 20 years experience in agriculture and horticulture. He is the owner/operator of City Farm Boy, an organization committed to promoting urban agriculture, farming & gardening as a viable and environmentally positive way to enhance landscapes and lifestyles. City Farm Boy also grows food for the local farmers markets on 14 private backyard gardens, including a large 65 raised bed rooftop garden in downtown Vancouver.

PLEASE RSVP @ sustainablebuildingcentre.com
This is a free event but a donation of $2-$5 is suggested.

http://www.cityfarmboy.com/


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Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit 2008
Date: Dec 1-3, 2008
Location: Gatineau, Quebec
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The 5th Annual Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit will be held at the Hilton Lac-Leamy Hotel in Gatineau, Quebec from December 1-3, 2008. This beautiful hotel and casino is situated across the Ottawa River from Canada's Parliament Buildings. The theme for this event is Growing Beyond Oil.

http://www.crfs2008.com/

Contact: Deborah Elson greenfuels.org