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Animal Farming Stinks: How the Livestock Industry is Harming the Planet
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2010
Grasshopper Restaurant, 1 No. Beacon St. in Union Sq., Allston, MA
4 PM – Speaker/Seminar (FREE)
5:15 PM – Vegan Buffet / Social Dinner – let us get to know you!

Boston Vegetarian Society Seminar and Dinner

On the third Sunday of every month, the BVS hosts a free informational seminar at Grasshopper Restaurant (1 No. Beacon St. in Union Sq.) at 4 pm followed by a vegan buffet dinner at 5:45 pm. The dinner is $10 and is a wonderful array of chinese/thai food; tofu, miso soup, seitan, vegetables, salad, spring rolls, noodles, etc. The restaurant is completely vegan– see the menu online–and accessible by the #69 bus directly out of Harvard Square. To learn about the next upcoming seminar, subscribe to the BVS email list at [email protected]; or subscribe to Veg-List!

Speaker Bio: David Havelick is a graduate student at Harvard University, studying Environmental Management and Sustainability. He also works full-time at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) in the Epidemiology Department. With research interests focused on “sustainable nutrition,” David is on a search for the best ways to grow nutritious food that have a minimal impact on the environment. This has pushed him in the direction of a vegan lifestyle, one in which animal products are avoided due to their severe environmental impacts. As a member of BVS’ Boston Vegetarian Food Festival Planning Committee, the Community Liaison to the Harvard Vegetarian Society, and the Green Team leader in the Epidemiology Department at HSPH, David is always looking for ways to reduce the impact of humans on the world around us.

The Town that Food Saved, a report from Hardwick VT
April 19 at 7 pm at the First Congregational Church, 251 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA.

Cheryl King Fischer, Executive Director of the New England Grassroots Environment Fund reports on a local agriculture success story, join us!

See also:
http://www.hardwickagriculture.org/
http://benhewitt.net/

Cochabamba Climate Summit – Boston Interactive Workshop
April 20, 2010, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Encuentro 5, 33 Harrison Ave – 5th floor
Boston, MA 02111 (Chinatown)

What: Join organizers and activists in Cochabamba, Bolivia and New York City for a live interactive conversation as part of the Climate and Mother Earth Rights conference, hosted by the people of Bolivia (pwccc.wordpress.com). This global interaction is part of the Cochabamba Expanded conversation organized by May First/People Link (mayfirst.org)

The World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth is taking place in Cochabamba, Bolivia, April 19 to 22, 2010, as a people’s rebuttal to Copenhagen. Visit pwccc.wordpress.com
for more information.

Stay tuned to encuentro5.org for details on the Boston event.

Another Economy is Possible: Introduction to the Solidarity Economy.
GreenPort Forum, Tuesday, April 20 at 7pm at the Central Square Library, 45 Pearl St, Cambridge.

Can we solve the current environmental crisis in an economy driven by profit and dependent on growth? Or must we rethink and transform economic institutions and their underlying values? In fact, we are already surrounded by a rich diversity of economic practices and institutions rooted in values of sharing, cooperation, sustainability, equality, subsidiarity/local-first, democracy, and justice. This “solidarity economy” is growing in every continent, often in response to the crises created by the dominant system.

In this interactive workshop, presenter Julie Matthaei, Professor of Economics at Wellesley College and co-founder of the U.S. Solidarity Economy Network (www.ussen.org) will introduce the solidarity economy framework, and related practices and institutions, with special focus on the emergence of sustainable technologies and lifestyles.

GreenPort envisions and encourages
a just and resilient Cambridgeport neighborhood
For more information, contact Steve Morr-Wineman at [email protected]

AND STILL WE RISE! in its 5th season…
Tuesday, April 20, 3:30pm: Wheelock College, Wheelock Family Theater, 200 Riverway, Boston, MA 02215, part of the ‘Youth Transforming Violence’ art event. Free and open to the public.

Experience the courage, truth, and passion of Boston’s authentic transformative theater!

For bookings or more information, please call 617-780-5062 or email [email protected].

And Still We Rise Productions is a collaboration of theater artists and social justice advocates working together with ex-prisoners and their loved ones. We bring to the public a powerful, articulate, personal voice of violence, addiction, and the prison experience for the purpose of healing, education, empowerment, and social change.

Earth Day 40th Anniversary Boston Common Rally, Sleep-out, and Lobby Day
The Leadership Campaign — Wake Up, Sleep Out!
April 21st-22nd, The Cambridge Common

Wednesday, April 21st, on the Boston Common across from the State House.

Join students, religious leaders and community members, forego the comfort of home and demonstrate that we’re ready to lead. When we arise Thursday morning on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, we will walk into the State House to lobby our representatives.

Sleeping Out will be fun, informative and most importantly, send the signal to our elected officials that we’re not going to wait to take action, and that we are willing to sacrifice for a secure future for ourselves and our children.

For more information, visit http://www.theleadershipcampaign.org

WGBY TV is Celebrating Earth Day with 9 Days of Events

2010 marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. For western New England, an area already rich in environmental awareness, this is a milestone too big for just one day. We have over a week of programs and local events from April 17-24. A small sampling of some of what is scheduled so far include special environmental programming on WGBY, a concert by Dar Williams in Northampton, The Home Show, and an Electronics Recycling day. More information can be found at:
http://www.wgby.org/earth/index.html

Earth Day 2010: Is Solar Right for My House?
April 22, 6:30 – 8:45pm, Cambridge Public Library’s Main Auditorium

Please join us on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day to learn how solar can suit your home’s needs. A panel of experts will be available to answer your questions and walk you through their solar installation experiences in Cambridge.

Speakers will include:

* Paul Lyons President of Zapotec Energy, an energy consulting and contracting practice based in Cambridge
* Garrett Avery Architect and owner of 2-family home in Somerville with a particular interest in home energy efficiency and green design

Please RSVP at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WZYBGM7

Sponsored by Cambridge Renewable Energy Action Team Effort, the Office of the Mayor and Vice Mayor, Cambridge/Green Decade, MA Green Jobs Coalition, Sierra Club, Friends of the Fresh Pond Reservation, and Cambridge Energy Alliance

2010 MIT Sustainability Summit
Mind the Gap: Communicate and Collaborate for a Sustainable World
Friday, April 23, 2010, all day
Microsoft New England Research and Development Center
One Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Cambridge, MA 02142

The 2010 MIT Sustainability Summit will host speakers, panelists, and facilitators with a wealth of knowledge and experience in collaborating and communicating with individuals and organizations across sectors, industries, and other boundaries in order to address the most pressing sustainability issues. Throughout the day on Friday, April 23, 2010, attendees will have opportunities to learn from experts, to network, and to explore a wide variety of practical tools useful for solving today’s environmental and social problems. This year’s Summit will feature:

* More than 250 conference attendees – including professionals, students, alumni, and faculty
* Approximately 25 speakers, panelists, and facilitators
* Interactive breakout sessions that emphasize learning and applying tools relevant to working in the field of sustainability
* Informal networking opportunities during breakfast, lunch, coffee break, and closing reception

Last year’s inaugural Summit was comprised of a diverse set of attendees from industries and fields such as architecture, engineering, energy, law, financial services, waste management, chemicals, biotech, etc. We welcome all attendees interested in sustainability, including but not limited to students, engineers, business leaders, nonprofit leaders, academics, environmental activists, and public servants.

Registration information:
http://sustainabilitysummit.mit.edu/content/registration-0

MIT Environmental & Agricultural History Companion Species lecture
Staying with the Trouble: Becoming Worldly with Companion Species
Donna Haraway, University of California, Santa Cruz
Friday, April 23, 2010, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
MIT Bldg E51-095 (corner Wadsworth St and Amherst St near Kendall Square)

Most of my work these days asks what it could possibly mean to inherit the histories of companion species on a blasted earth. Companion species “break bread” together at table; who is on the menu at this table is a question of ethical, political, and ecological urgency. This talk aims to work through ontological, ethical, and ecological knots tying together three companion species: 1) 21st century urban chickens and the families who depend on them 2) Park managers, ecologists, Aboriginal traditional owners of the land, and Asian water buffalo in Kakadu National Park 3) the Navajo Sheep Project

Open to: General public
Cost: Free

Map:
http://whereis.mit.edu/?mapterms=E51-095&mapsearch;=go

More info:
http://shass.mit.edu/calendar/11283072

Slow Fest: Boston’s First Session Beer Festival
April 23+24, 2010, at the Boston Center for the Arts

Session Beer, Local Food

It’s time for session beer and slow food. It’s time for the flavorful, the interesting, the unique, without being overwhelmed by excess. It’s time to embrace the legacy, variety and future at SlowFest.

SlowFest is a two day festival celebrating session beers from over 30 breweries and food samplings from local New England producers. Brewers will share their insights on session beer, its place in history, and the re-emergence of beers on the lower end of the alcohol dial. Additionally, beer centric food offerings from local New England producers will show off session beer’s unique ability to be paired with food.

Session Beer is lower in alcohol, but not lower in taste. A balance of flavor allows for multiple beers over a longer period of time. With an alcohol content preferred at lower than 5% by volume, this drinkability also comes with the ability to maintain sobriety. Session beers are well known in the British pub, but can be found in just about every beer culture in the world.

Local food will be a very big part of SlowFest, and offerings will include offerings from regional farms, bakers and butcheries.

www.slowfest.com

Net Impact UMD 2nd Sustainable Winery/Brewery Tour
April 24, 10 am – 4:30 pm, UMass Dartmouth to various local wineries and breweries

Join Net Impact UMD on Saturday, April 24, 2010 for a winery/brewery tour. Assistant Charlton College of Business Dean and wine/sustainability guru Garry Clayton will be lecturing about the finer points of wine, sustainability and the South Coast. The tour via motorcoach will visit Travessia Urban Winery, Buzzards Bay Brewery and Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery. The trip includes lunch, tastings and transportation.

The tour is FREE for members of Net Impact Central and $30 for non-members. Not a NI member? Membership fees are $30 for grads and $10 for undergrads. Professional/community memberships are also available. The trip is open to UMass students, faculty, employees, their spouses and friends as well as the community at large.

Visit the NIUMD website: www.netimpactumd.org or email netimpactumd@gmail.com to reserve your seat and for more info. Details here.

Amherst Sustainability Festival
April 24, 10:00am – 4:00pm
DOWNTOWN AMHERST, From Kendrick Park to Amherst Town Common

Learn About: Saving $ via home energy conservation; Planting, nurturing, & pruning trees; How local businesses are going green; Reducing your waste footprint; Sustainable energy sources; Alternative vehicles

Featuring: Drew Hickum and the Colonels; Jay Mankita; Piti Theater Co.; The Raging Grannies; Marcy Gregoire; Tree Climbing Jamboree; Free Arbor Day Seedlings; Face Painting; Local/Sustainable Artisans and More!

Sponsored by: The Town of Amherst Energy Task Force; Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division; Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce; Western Massachusetts Electric; Berkshire Gas Energy Efficiency Program; and The Hitchcock Center for the Environment

http://www.pioneervalley.org/event/amherst-sustainability-festival-507.html

Northampton Celebrates Earth Day
The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated in Northampton
on Sunday, April 25th from 11am to 4pm in Pulaski Park.

The event is sponsored by WGBY, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, 93.9 The
River, and GREEN Northampton. Anyone interested in having a table, leading an Earth friendly workshop or being involved should contact David Starr of GREEN Northampton at [email protected] or 413 584 8785.

Building a Sustainable SouthCoast
A Regional Conference on Sustainability
April 27th, 2010 – 8:30am-4:30pm
Bristol Community College – Fall River (Building H)

Addressing the Sustainability Issues Facing Southeastern Massachusetts

Learn what your community can do today
Discuss the steps necessary to initiate change
Network with other community leaders to achieve positive change now

A Two Part, One Day Event
Come for one session or come for both!
Morning Session, 8:30am: Building Sustainable Communities
Keynote Speaker: Mark Sylvia

The morning will kick-off with key note speaker Mark Sylvia, director of the Green Communities Division of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Mr. Sylvia will be speaking about what the Green Communities Act is, what municipalities can do, and its effects for the future of the Commonwealth. Following Mr. Sylvia will be two panel discussions. The first will be a showcase of green communities followed by a panel of energy service companies.

Panel Discussions: Green Communities Showcase & Energy Service Companies

Lunch, 12:00pm

~ Free Lunch Provided to Registered attendees~
There will be a break for lunch and time to view an exhibit of energy service companies who will be on site throughout the day.
Between sessions all attendees are invited to hear Richard Heinberg, speak about Peak Oil and its ramifications for the SouthCoast. Heinberg is a senior fellow at the Post-Carbon Institute, where their mission is to lead the transition to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable world. He is the leading educator on Peak Oil and author of nine books including The Party’s Over, Peak Everything, and the newly released Blackout.

Afternoon Session, 2:00pm: Building Sustainable Businesses

The afternoon will have discussions focusing on what it means to be a Green Business, how to become a Green Business, what a Green Job is, and how Going Green can increase your bottom line. Additionally, there will be conversations on how to reduce your energy costs, the incentive to buying locally, and what neighboring businesses are doing to be more sustainable.

Panel Discussions: Green Businesses & Buy Local Campaign

*Join us afterwards for a Networking Wine and Cheese!*

For more information or to register please email: Jen Gonet at [email protected] call: 508-910-6484

www.councilonsustainability.org

Richard Heinberg to Speak in Lexington
Global Warming, End of Oil, Perfect Storm
April 29, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington

Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow In Residence at the Post-Carbon Institute and one of the world’s foremost peak oil educators, will discuss how the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and accelerating global climate disruption are creating unprecedented challenges for global society in the twenty-first century.

An engaging and inspiring speaker, Heinberg is also the author of nine books including : Blackout: Coal, Climate, and the Last Energy Crisis (2009), Peak Everything: Waking Up to the Century of Declines (2007), The Oil Depletion Protocol: A Plan to Avert Oil Wars, Terrorism & Economic Collapse (2006), Powerdown: Options & Actions for a Post-Carbon World (2004), and The Party’s Over: Oil, War & the Fate of Industrial Societies (2003)

Since 2002, he has given over three hundred lectures on oil depletion to a wide variety of audiences—from insurance executives to peace activists, from local and national elected officials to Jesuit volunteers.

All are welcome. $5 donation requested. For further information, visit www.lexgwac.org, contact [email protected], or call 781-674-2339.