[ Tuesday, January 24, 2012; 9:00 am to 10:30 am. ] Green for All and The Southern Arizona Green for All Coalition (SAGAC) invite you to our first Tucson Meet and Greet information session.

Join us on January 24th from 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. to learn more about how Tucson is engaging in a new initiative to build a broad-based coalition to address our local issues [...]

[ Saturday, January 7, 2012; 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] The Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Tucson Chapter is meeting at 11 am on Saturday at 255 W. University Blvd to join the national chapters’ conference call and discuss local climate lobby plans. If you have any comments before the meeting, please forward them to Vince Pawlowski:  pawlowski (at) ultrasw.com
Reminders for our call on Saturday:

Please call  review [...]

The 12 most hopeful trends to build on in 2012
Published by YES! Magazine on Sat, 12/31/2011
Original article: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/sarah-van-gelder/12-most-hopeful-trends-to-build-on-in-2012
by Sarah van Gelder
Who would have thought that some young people camped out in lower Manhattan with cardboard signs, a few sharpies, some donated pizza, and a bunch of smart phones could change so much?
The viral spread of [...]

[ Monday, February 13, 2012; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] at DuVal Auditorium, University Medical Center, 1501 N Campbell Avenue

Sustainable Tucson’s February Meeting will be a special public lecture event in collaboration with the Tucson Audubon Society and the Community Water Coalition.

University of Arizona climate scientist Dr. Jonathan Overpeck will speak on Climate Change: What does it mean for Tucson and the Southwest?

Last year’s increase [...]

[ Tuesday, December 20, 2011; 5:30 pm; ] at Tucson City Hall, 255 W. Alameda, Tucson, AZ 85701 – downtown, just east of Granada in the Presidio Park Plaza

From: Center for Biological Diversity
Subject: Tucson: Support a City Resolution to Curb Global Warming

Seattle has just become the latest city to join the Center for Biological Diversity’s Clean Air Cities campaign; Tucson could be next.

On [...]

Dreaming New Mexico has built a map of pragmatic and visionary solutions to create a more localized and green economy with greater local self-reliance and enhanced prosperity.
Peter Warshall is Co-Director of the Bioneers’ Dreaming New Mexico Project, and a world-renowned water steward, biodiversity and wildlife specialist, research scientist, conservationist, and environmental activist.

from 2011 September TEDx [...]

Rapid rise in Arctic methane shocks scientists
By Steve Connor
Wednesday Dec 14, 2011, New Zealand Herald
Dramatic and unprecedented plumes of methane – a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide – have been seen bubbling to the surface of the Arctic Ocean by scientists undertaking an extensive survey of the region.
The scale and volume of [...]

[ Monday, December 12, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] at Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone, Downtown (free lower level parking off Alameda St)

Activism, Advocacy, and Political Action are ramping up all over the world.  Tucson is no exception, and so Sustainable Tucson begins an exploration into the realm of political expression and action, and how we can use it to promote sustainability [...]

By Caroline Dobuzinskis
 
(Ed Mazria’s  Revised One-Year, 4.5 Million-Jobs Investment Plan available here:)
 
With the job market crashing and a reported one in five mortgages underwater, the need for complex solutions to fix the US economy grows increasingly urgent. Ed Mazria, founder of the non-profit research and education organization Architecture 2030, has put forward a proposal to [...]

With half of all mortgaged homes “underwater” and owing more than their market value, housing prices continue to decline even after four years of collapsing prices. The ongoing global credit and debt crisis combined with declining house prices spell disaster for the home-building industry for at least the next decade. The escalating climate crisis also [...]

2012 Green Retrofit Economic Stimulus Proposal for Tucson
With half of all mortgaged homes “underwater” and owing more than their market value, housing prices continue to decline even after four years of collapsing prices. The ongoing global credit and debt crisis combined with declining house prices spell disaster for the home-building industry for at least the [...]

The global output of carbon dioxide jumped by the biggest amount on record, the US Department of Energy has calculated, a sign of how feeble the world’s efforts are at slowing man-made global warming.
The new figures for last year mean that levels of greenhouse gases are higher than the worst-case scenario outlined by climate experts [...]

U.S. Delays Decision on Pipeline Until After Election
By JOHN M. BRODER and DAN FROSCH
published in New York Times 11/10/11
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, under sharp pressure from officials in Nebraska and restive environmental activists, announced Thursday that it would review the route of the disputed Keystone XL oil pipeline, effectively delaying any decision about its [...]

Sustainable Tucson founding coalition member, Tom Greco gives a presentation on his transformational model of economic change to the International Conference on Sustainability, Transition and Culture Change: Vision, Action, Leadership. This TED-like talk is video-streamed from the conference and is viewable here:
 
http://www.livestream.com/localfuture/video?clipId=pla_ade24121-d46d-4448-863c-babe129a604f

UA Natural Resources Professor Emeritus Guy McPherson and Sustainable Tucson founding coalition member addresses the International Conference on Sustainability, Transition and Culture Change: Vision, Action, Leadership recounting his journey to personal accountability in the current crisis of civilization. Taking material from his latest book, “Walking Away From Empire” , Guy demonstrates Gandhi’s  recommendation: “Become the [...]

The Dark Side of the ‘Green’ City
By Andrew Ross
PHOENIX
The struggle to slow global warming will be won or lost in cities, which emit 80 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases. So “greening” the city is all the rage now. But if policy makers end up focusing only on those who can afford the low-carbon technologies [...]

[ Sunday, November 6, 2011; 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. ] Event: Occupy Tucson: Tar Sands Keystone XL Pipeline: Decision by Obama on behalf of the American People
Sunday, November 6, 11:30–12:30, followed by General Assembly meeting.
Amory Park, 221 S. 6th Ave. ??? moved to Veinte de Agosto Park at Church & Congress ???

This Sunday, exactly one year before the next presidential election, protesters plan to encircle the [...]

How Germany became Europe’s green leader: A look at four decades of sustainable policymaking
by Ralph Buehler, Arne Jungjohann, Melissa Keeley, Michael Mehling

In Brief
Over the last 40 years, all levels of government in Germany have retooled policies to promote growth that is more environmentally sustainable. Germany’s experiences can provide useful lessons for the United States (and [...]

Subject: #OccupyWallStreet and the #Climate Movement
From: organizers(at)350.org
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2011 19:49:56 +0000
Dear friends,
I’m writing from New York City, where the Occupy Wall Street movement is taking off.
What started as a small group of young people with a vague call to action is evolving into something truly inspiring — and our crew at 350.org is [...]

[ Monday, October 10, 2011; 5:15 pm to 8:45 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson is offering a very special Book Sale fundraising event at our October  General Meeting. We have more than 150 titles, including some hard-to-find classics. The winter reading season is coming, so come and browse this rich collection of sustainability literature. You can shop with gifts in mind for particular friends, relatives, or colleagues [...]

[ Monday, October 10, 2011; 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson General Meeting – at Milagro Cohousing Community
Monday, October 10th, 5:45 – 8:30 pm, and come early at 5:15 pm for a tour

Note: this meeting will be at the Milagro Cohousing Community instead of the library (click here for map). If you can come earlier, there will be a tour of Milagro from 5:15 [...]

The peak oil crisis: reality on hold
by Tom Whipple
 
As much of America bakes in some of the highest temperatures ever recorded and while Washington argues interminably over taxes, budget cuts and debt caps, one is struck by the unreality of it all. When the House of Representatives votes to preserve the incandescent light bulb for [...]

Welcome to the Post-Growth Economy
by Richard Heinberg
 
During recent weeks, evidence has piled up that U.S. and European economies, far from recovering, are swirling back into recession. Failure of American politicians to address the federal debt crisis, the U.S. credit rating downgrade, and increasing fragility of European economies have investors running for the hills.
 
Concern is being [...]

[ Saturday, September 24, 2011; 7:00 am to 11:00 am. ] Moving Planet – September 24th, 2011: A Day to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels

JOIN THE RIDE: Connect 2 river paths on 2 wheels!

Celebrate the linkup of the Santa Cruz and Rillito river paths and ride beyond fossil fuels. Meet on the plaza south of Drachman Hall on the UMC Campus (Helen St and Martin Av).

Ride starts [...]

Barbara Warren’s – My Comments – Creating a clean energy future for Arizona
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep3iKOVn0RY
 
 

[ Saturday, September 17, 2011; 5:30 pm; ] Hello,

My name is Kaylee Farnolli, I’m a senior in the School of Art at the University of Arizona. I’ve just returned from 6 months living and studying abroad in Mexico City. The people I met there have inspired me to call a community vegan potluck in an effort to spread the word about Polly Higgen’s [...]

[ Saturday, October 22, 2011; Sunday, October 23, 2011; ] We are doing a festival October 22 and 23 – for more info see http://www.ttev.org/TusconFallFestivalAndFarmersMarket.html

[ Saturday, May 21, 2011; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Free Solar and Energy Efficiency Seminar
Arizona Energy Pros

3821 W. Costco Dr., Ste 119, Tucson, Az 85741

For all interested in attending a free energy efficiency and solar seminar. There will be some free drinks and snacks.

Get a free quote or stop by just to get some free information.

We have about 10 more seats to fill!
Call to [...]

The Academy of Sciences says:
”Climate change is occurring, is very likely caused primarily by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems. Emissions continue to increase, which will result in further change and greater risks. Responding to these risks is a crucial challenge [...]

Jonathan Overpeck recently gave testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources about drought conditions in New Mexico and the Southwest. Read his testimony here: http://energy.senate.gov/public/_files/OverpeckTestimony42711.pdf

[ Sunday, May 8, 2011; 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. ] Please join the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association, the Arizona Solar Energy Association, and the Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership in a free solar home tour on May 8, 11-3. Check in at the Old San Pedro Chapel, 5230 E Ft Lowell, for a map of the houses. Meet neighbors who have gone solar and [...]

 
So what is the sustainable path forward?
The most often-adopted definition of sustainability is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  What is important about this definition is that we have to consider the needs of future generations. What is most productive though is that [...]

Elly Blue has written a series of informative articles challenging mainstream assumptions about the economics of transportation.
“Imagine getting a $3,000 to $12,000 tax rebate this year. Now imagine it coming again and again. Every year it grows by around a thousand dollars. Imagine how this would change your daily life.”
Read the rest of this important [...]

Gas Prices Got You Down?
Bike Fest 2011 Begins Tomorrow!
Tucson, Arizona (March 10, 2011) – Let the fun begin as Bike Fest 2011 kicks off over 20 different events designed to inspire us to park the car and hop on the bike to experience the many benefits bicycling brings to our community. From March 11th through [...]

Naomi Klein, who has written a new book on climate change examined the ideological basis of the rising opposition to the science and the public policies needed to address this global threat in an interview with  Amy Goodman:
“NAOMI KLEIN: Well, some people believe in climate change, but the main thing is they don’t believe that [...]

[ Friday, March 11, 2011 12:30 pm to Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:30 am. ]
March 11-16, 2011, Arizona State University
Welcome to the Conference Website for Resilience 2011;

Resilience 2011 website

A conference that will bring together scientists from a broad spectrum of disciplinary backgrounds who are interested in the major science and policy challenges that face us all as a result of global change. The conference is organized [...]

[ Sunday, March 20, 2011; 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Time again to invite you all to proclaim local community from the rooftops. One rooftop at least.

Join in on the action on the roof of the Pennington St Parking Garage, 110 E. Pennington St.

What is Common Ground?

What it is… is a CELEBRATION, where every group, organization, congregation, small business, performer, artist, EVERYBODY in the Tucson [...]

The New York Times reminds us that getting to the natural gas that many see as an alternative source of “cleaner energy” may have equally serious threats to our water supply.
In the words of one expert:
“We’re burning the furniture to heat the house,” said John H. Quigley, who left last month as secretary of Pennsylvania’s [...]

[ Sunday, March 27, 2011; ] Tucson’s Synergistic Water Festival at the Armory Park Community Center

Art show by local and national artists, dance / theater performance, water expert speakers, Enviro-Exhibitor Fair, round table discussions, workshops, hands-on participation, kid’s activities, music and more!

More information at www.WaterFestivalTucson.org

Michael T. Klare offers dire warnings for the year ahead as we see the impact of climate change at a global political level we’ll not soon forget”
“Get ready for a rocky year.  From now on, rising prices, powerful storms, severe droughts and floods, and other unexpected events are likely to play havoc with the fabric [...]

On January 10th, as part of our General Meeting, Sustainable Tucson held its own version of the community conversations being held around the city by Imagine Greater Tucson. After completing a paper survey about what we liked and what we wanted to change about the Tucson region, four groups of people discussed their answers to [...]

In the final sentence, a New York Times article on measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide ends this way “At midnight Mauna Loa time, the carbon dioxide level hit 390 — and rising.” This fascinating article tells the story of our current path to the future. Read it here.

Jim Barry, who served as Chair of the citizen’s Oversight Committee for the City/County Water Study, has prepared a Public Comment Report documenting the major issues and themes that emerged during the public process for the two year study. Mr. Barry invites your feedback on the report by way of the Comment Form on this [...]

Michael Brownlee from Transition Colorado has written an critical and timely challenge to all who are identified in some way the Transition Movement in the U.S. We owe it to ourselves and our communities to take his challenge to heart. Please download his message here.

[ Thursday, November 11, 2010; 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. ]

Extended Time For November Mixer
Friedman Recycling

1825 West Price

Tucson, AZ  85705

Sponsored by Saguaro Environmental/Friedman Recycling

The earlier start is to take advantage of daylight so we can tour the recycling plant.
Nibbles and drinks will be served outside, so we recommend jackets in case we have a cooler evening.

Sign up at www.SAGCC.org.  (Just go to events tab and click the mixer [...]

[ Thursday, November 18, 2010; 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDIO SERIES PRESENTS POWER 2K10, AN ORIGINAL WORK ADDRESSING TOPICS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY (November 18-21).

The Harold Dixon Directing Studio in the Drama Building on the University of Arizona Campus, 1031 N. Olive Rd at the southeast corner of Park Avenue and Speedway Boulevard.

During the mid-30s, the Federal Theatre Project produced a [...]

[ Friday, November 5, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. ] First United Methodist Church

Park Avenue at East 4th Street

Parking off 4th behind the church

The annual World Community Day celebration is one of four national Church Women United celebrations.  It is our opportunity to invite members of the wider community to engage in prayerful conversation about community issues that touch us deeply [...]

[ Saturday, October 30, 2010; 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. ] 2602 E. Grant Road

The Rally will be held locally while Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity and
Stephen Colbert’s March to Keep Fear Alive occur in Washington, D.C. Our rally
highlights Tucson organizations that are providing sane solutions to intensifying
global challenges.

A solar-powered sound system will broadcast the tunes of local musicians,
a solar oven demonstration will be cooking [...]

Vicki Robin has shared some of her insights from her month of existing on a “hyperlocavore” diet: food from no further than ten miles away from her home. There are useful insights for all of us as we think about the links between energy, food, and our carbon footprints. Read the article in Yes magazine [...]

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010- Natural Building and Passive Solar Design – This workshop includes hands on work with straw bales, adobe blocks, mud based plasters, cement based plasters, and cob. We’ll do hands on building of small structures like benches and walls – projects that you can easily do at your own [...]