The Automatic Earth is a unique, one-stop website which presents the world’s best current writing on the ongoing financial and economic crises. The following Primer lists key articles and analyses written by the Automatic Earth team.
Nicole Foss (aka Stoneleigh) writes:
It is time to undertake the yearly review and update of our primer guide, with a [...]

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
 
 

[ Tuesday, November 15, 2011; ] GoGreen ’11 Phoenix is a one-day sustainability conference for business that will inspire, educate and motivate professionals to deepen the commitment to green practices at their organizations. Spend a value-packed day connecting with business leaders, eco-visionaries, sustainability experts and like-minded individuals who will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to make your [...]

[ Saturday, September 17, 2011; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] Sept 17, 2011

10 am – 4pm

Looking for inspiration and ideas as to how to green and beautify your home landscape without increasing your water bill? Watershed Management Group (WMG) is offering a self guided tour of residential rainwater harvesting systems. The tour will include examples of earthworks, greywater systems, and various types of cisterns and [...]

[ Saturday, September 17, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Stimulated by the positive response at Sustainable Tucson’s August general meeting on alternative building.
Javier Lopez and Tom Mendola are organizing an opportunity to play in the mud (tell your friends!)

You are invited to come participate in a cob/adobe bench building and green tea party.

We will make a few adobes and put together mud and straw [...]

[ 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, November 12, 2011 to Sunday, November 13, 2011. ] Permaculture Course with Toby Hemenway author of Gaia’s Garden, the best-selling permaculture book in the world at Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S) Conservation Center.

One weekend a month for six months beginning November 12 13. $1,000 tuition, $850 early bird if paid by October 21. Proceeds benefit NS/S. For more information: www.nativeseeds.org

[ Sunday, October 30, 2011 to Friday, November 4, 2011. ]  

October 30th – November 4, 2011 at the NS/S Conservation Center – 3584 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ

Join NS/S Executive Director Bill McDorman and special guests for a 6-day immersion into a new regional and sustainable seed production and distribution system. Bill is a 30 year veteran of the seed industry who has recently joined [...]

[ Monday, September 19, 2011; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] Monthly Community Series – Ideas, Conversation, Food – 3rd Monday of every Month

Sep. 19, 2011, 5:30-7:30p, Native Seeds/SEARCH Retail Store, 3061 N. Campbell Ave.

Guest Speaker, Coley Ward, Marketing Mgr., Food Conspiracy Cooperative, “What does a food cooperative do and why is it important?”

Door Prizes! See our new Seed Room Library!

For more information: www.nativeseeds.org

[ Monday, September 12, 2011; 6:30 pm; ] If you think the idea of a flat tax on income is a good idea because it sounds simple and fair, come to this forum and learn what it will really mean to Arizona taxpayers if it passes in 2012.  For example, the taxes on 8 out of 9 Arizonans will increase! This free event [...]

[ Monday, September 12, 2011; 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson General Meeting
Monday, September 12th,  5:45 – 8:00 pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library 101 N. Stone
(free lower level parking – off Alameda St

September’s General Meeting will include presentations by members of GMO Free Project of Tucson <http://gmofreeprojectoftucson.org/>  and a film, “Deconstructing Supper”, on GMOs and how genetically modified organisms are threatening our food systems [...]

Learn about an important example of sustainable development in Egypt.
SEKEM, founded by Ibrahim Abouleish, winner of the Right Livelihood Award — the “Alternative Nobel”
 
Sekem: Born of the sun  5:17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-D23-OjmoM&feature=fvsr
 
Ibrahim Abouleish – Founder Sekem Group   9:58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2tmH1wK2YU
 
SEKEM English Part 1   9:51
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXXpamUjYmg
 
SEKEM English Part 2   2:47
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn7T0bz7sPg
 
Sekem website film
http://www.sekem.com/english/Filmen.aspx
 
Official SEKEM website
http://www.sekem.com

[ Monday, August 8, 2011; 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson General Meeting
Monday, August 8th,  5:45 – 8:00 pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library 101 N. Stone
(free lower level parking – off Alameda St
This month’s General Meeting will continue our project on “Becoming a Desert Community” by presenting films relevant to desert natural buildings  and thriving desert communities.

Our Main film is    “First Earth: Uncompromising Ecological [...]

[ Sunday, July 17, 2011; 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Don’t miss the next great coming together at The next Common Ground event.

See you at Armory Park.

[ Saturday, July 9, 2011; 8:00 am to 11:00 am. ] El Pueblo Farmers’ Market

Located at El Pueblo Adult Learning Center Parking Lot,
SW corner of Irvington Road and S. Sixth Avenue

Mesquite trees are all over
Tucson and their pods can be
used in variety of foods.
Come learn how to:
• Identify
• Collect
• Store
• And use mesquite pods!

[ Saturday, June 11, 2011; 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ]  

Green Market Starts: 9 North Scott — John Wesley Companies — will be transformed into a Green Market

2nd Saturdays Downtown features multiple bands, movies and other live entertainment as well as arts, crafts and food booths. Visitors to 2nd Saturdays Downtown also use the opportunity to visit downtown shops and restaurants. The streets are crowded [...]

The PRO Neighborhoods Newsletter informs us that:
 
The Community Food Bank’s Community Food Resource
Center will team up with the Pima County Library system in
June to present a series of workshops on Sustainability and
Home Food Production. The workshops are free and open to
the public. Pre-registration is not required. For questions or
information on this series, contact Leona Davis [...]

[ Saturday, June 25, 2011; 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch Library, 1607 S. 6th Ave. (at 26th St.)

The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson will present a FREE workshop on How to Plan a Forum. The workshop will cover such topics as initial planning, working with other groups, legal considerations, site selection, choosing a moderator, contacting [...]

[ Tuesday, June 21, 2011; ] The folks at Common Ground invite you to participate in Earth Walk 2011.

TUCSON EVENT FEATURING:
• Walk/dance through an Earth Labyrinth in a baseball stadium •
• Featuring an internationally renowned sound healer & local musicians •
• Exhibitors for Personal, Social, and Environmental Wellness •
• Dress in a costume / t-shirt that reflects your cause •
• Raffle [...]

[ Tuesday, June 28, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] 320 N. Commerce Park Loop, Sentinel Building, Rillito/Sabino Room.

Growing a Monsoon Vegetable Garden. Learn how some simple techniques and carefully choosing delicious and desert-adapted varieties of corn, squash, beans, melons, and others can make your vegetable garden a success during this upcoming summer monsoon-rain season. The workshop will cover how to place your garden for [...]

[ Saturday, June 18, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Saguaro Fruit Harvest: preparation, syrup, sweets and a special liqueur

Saguaro harvest marks the beginning of summer’s bounty, and the act of harvesting with gratitude is the traditional way to invite the return of monsoon rains.

We’ll be harvesting, preparing -and thanking saguaros for- their delicious, nutritious fruit; walking and learning about saguaro/ ironwood [...]

[ Thursday, June 9, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Come learn more about refugee life, communicating in different languages, and refugee work. Anyone who wants information can attend and attendance does not commit you to serve.  The training is at St. Francis in the Foothills, 4625 E. River Rd.  Please RSVP with the volunteer coordinator.

[ 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 [...]

[ Saturday, May 21, 2011; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. ]

[ Thursday, June 2, 2011; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Ground-breaking Watershed Management Group Invites Public to Take Action

WMG invites the public to their OpenHouse Thursday, June 2nd 2011 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm at the Ward III Council Office. Presentations by board, staff, and community members on local, regional, and international programs in sustainability will be featured. Come and learn about opportunities to get involved; [...]

[ Sunday, May 22, 2011; 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] HEY healers, musicians, environmentalists, gardeners, artists, students, business owners, kids, dogs….

any body, EVERYBODY who wants to see REAL LOCAL COMMUNITY created in Tucson……

You’re INVITED to participate in Common Ground Tucson’s collaboration with the ROCK THE HEART JAM FEST, Sunday May 22nd 2011 at Armory Park, 4pm – 8pm.

Host a table for your organization – offer your [...]

Transition US is committed to enabling action-oriented programs at the national level.  The Home and Garden Challenge is just such an opportunity. Inspired by the the amazing work done in Sonoma County, CA last May where over 600 gardens were planted, we have decided to take it (inter)national this May 14th & 15th.
Organizing a Home [...]

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 [...]

[ Saturday, May 7, 2011; 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] The Jefferson Park Neighborhood, three blocks north of the University of Arizona, will open one of Tucson’s historic homes to the public for four hours. The $10.00 ticket will include the tour, live music, a silent auction,antique cars, refreshments, raffles and more.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Friends of Jefferson Park, Inc ,
P.O. Box 41243, T/A (17)
Joan Daniels,
jdchama@msn.com, 323-2165
Website: Jeffersonpark.info

Tucson’s overall “Walkscore” is barely passable grade. You might be interested in how various neighborhoods in our community fare. Visit the site here: http://www.walkscore.com/AZ/Tucson

[ Friday, April 29, 2011; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Ave.

Gary Nabhan, author of “Chasing Chiles: Hot Spots Along the Pepper Trail”, will discuss his book.

This event is free to the public.

[ Saturday, April 30, 2011; 6:00 pm; ] Location: Urban Tribe Collective
657 West St. Mary’s Rd., Unit C-12 Tucson, AZ 85701
Cost: Free – $10 suggested donation to Diamond Mountain, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
To raise funds for Diamond Mountain University and Retreat Center, Tucson performance artist Christopher Stephen has planned a slate of entertainment to intrigue, awe and educate. Hosted by Urban Tribe Collective, [...]

 
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 [...]

[ Tuesday, April 26, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Watershed Management Groups Co-op presents a Spring Local Foods Potluck and Free Public Lecture.

Location: Calvin Room, St Mark\’s Presbyterian Church. 3809 East 3rd Street.

RSVP to Co-op@watershedmg.org

This is a semi annual get together for members of Watershed Management Groups Green Living Co-op
and anyone interested in the Co-op.

Please bring:
*A dish to share that includes ingredients grown in [...]

[ Thursday, April 7, 2011; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] University Marriott (880 E. Second St., Tucson)

Imagine Greater Tucson will reveal: “Our Shared Values and the Future of the Greater Tucson Region”
Come see how closely our Historic Trends Scenario aligns with our Shared Regional
Values. Featured speakers include Robert Grow (Envision Utah), Dr. Lattie Coor (Center for
the Future of Arizona), and Michael McDonald (Habitat for Humanity).

Open [...]

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 [...]

[ Sunday, March 27, 2011; 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. ] Come celebrate the emergence of Antigone Books as the first 100% solar powered bookstore in the country!

Come celebrate with us at our Solar Party and Sale, Discounts, Giveaways and Drawings! Solar treats to eat!

We’re one of just three 100% solar businesses in Southern Arizona. The other two (Brooklyn Pizza and Sky Bar) are also [...]

Timothy Egan, writing in the New York Times, has offered a few words of concern about what seem to be quite serious risks from GMO salmon; his message rings brightly in the wake of recent events in Japan….
Read this well written piece here.

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 [...]

[ Saturday, March 26, 2011; 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] A wood-fired cob-insulated hot tub is a low-tech, healthful and beautiful thing. Used like a Japanese bath, one scrubs and showers before entering the heated tub, steaming with desert lavender or chaparral, and soaks away one’s cares. If your shower and bath greywater help to irrigate native and heritage trees, which provide food, shade and [...]

[ 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 [...]

[ Sunday, March 6, 2011; 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] What is the future of our food? A community conversation.
Featuring special guest Robert Gottlieb, co-author of Food Justice.

All are welcome to attend this free event!

Click to View Printable Flyer in English and Spanish
• Bilingual event
• Childcare and food provided

Pima Community College
Downtown Campus
1255 North Stone Avenue
NW Corner of Speedway & Stone Avenue
Enter through main doors and [...]

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