Event: Babson Energy Expo

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Event: down:2:earth boston expo

D2E

"An exploration into sustainable living."

April 3-5, 2009

Friday: 5pm–9pm
Saturday: 11am–7pm
Sunday: 11am–5pm

Hynes Convention Center, Boston MA

They don't have as cool of a logo as the Ecological Urbanism event, but down:2:earth looks to be a fun event right in Back Bay.

Update (4/22): Interesting presenters seen there:
Boston Organics -- organic veggies delivered to your home by bike
The Green Roundtable -- providing eductation, policy and technical assistance to promote 'green'
YouthBuild Boston -- giving teens construction & landscaping experience
Foundation for a Green Future -- green roofs & organizers of Boston's GreenFest 2009

Conference: Urban Design & Ecology

Keynote speakers are Rem Koolhaas and Homi Bhabha. SOLD OUT.

Carbon Reduction Rebates

It's like someone decided that today should be Climate Day in Washington! (hey, that's a good idea, why don't we have one of those?)

Today's NPR Planet Money Podcast (<-- listen!) is about a federal middle-class tax break for energy efficiency. Mmm, energy efficiency is so hot! Even the economics-money guys are talking about it.

They also mention that the climate bill doesn't have enough in it that's pro-industry to get anywhere this soon. Sigh. Is it possible to get congressional action on clean energy if it's not pro-industry? I thought congressional action was supposed to be driven by "the people." There's one way we've been able to rustle our congress out of bed to do the work we elected them to do (reminder: we elected them to figure out how to spend our money that we pay in taxes & to keep our nation awesome). In the past, our nation has been able to come together effectively to get federal action on social justice issues, and I think that's what our transition to a clean and green economy really must be if it is to receive congressional support.

Van Jones Moves Up

Van Jones just tapped for senior White House Council position

Wow, this is so ridiculously cool. And I can't believe I just used the phrase "ridiculously cool" in reference to a government appointment. I feel like some of my wonky DC friends (love). Anyway, Van Jones of Green for All, and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is now the senior adviser to Nancy Shutley, Chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

This makes my Tuesday morning! It's amazing to feel the wind change direction, if only a little, and to have the sense that what you hope and think should happen is actually about to occur.

Ok, I'm done gushing. He'd better do a great job. He's an excellent speaker, highly motivated, motivational, action-oriented, and he really focuses on the intersection of community, climate, and culture. YES!
(photo taken from http://www.greenforall.org/about-us/staff)

Community + Art: AORTA Projects in New Orleans

AORTA Projects is a site-specific arts group working with post-disaster communities in New Orleans.



See their blog for recent projects (http://aortaprojects.blogspot.com/)