Post Carbon Newsletter #35 January 2008
1. Post Carbon Cities
2. Global Public Media
3. Relocalization Network
4. Energy Farms Network
5. Putting the Heat on Lomborg: When is An Alarmist not an Alarmist?
6. Forthcoming Events
7. February Preview
1. Post Carbon Cities
 Post Carbon Cities' Daniel Lerch is hosting a session on Responding to Peak Oil and Energy Uncertainty at this year's American Planning Association's conference on April 30. Speakers include Jennifer Brost of the Southern California Association of Governments, who co-organized the Southern California Energy Conference in 2006, and John Kaufmann, Senior Policy Analyst at the Oregon Department of Energy and also lead staff for the groundbreaking Portland Peak Oil Task Force.
In colder climes, Daniel and John Kaufmann just returned from a whirlwind tour of Minnesota. They spoke at a legislative hearing in St. Paul, ran a workshop for local government figures in West St. Paul, and gave public presentations in Duluth, Rochester, and Minneapolis -- all over the course of two frigid January days! The legislative hearing was a joint meeting of Minnesota's House Energy Finance & Policy Division and the Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Committee.
2. Global Public Media
 New this month on Global Public Media:
3. Relocalization Network
 Relocalization Network has put together special complimentary resource bundles for local groups to use for education and action in the coming year, courtesy of Post Carbon Books. We are still accepting requests for bundles – fill out this contact form.
Paul & Sarah Edwards, Relocalization Network members and leaders in the Let's Live Local effort in their community in Pine Mountain, California, have written a new book, Middle-Class Lifeboat: Careers and Choices for Navigating a Changing Economy. The book emphasizes the strategy of relocalization and includes practical options for those interested in changing their careers to address climate change and resource depletion. For more info, download the first chapter or visit www.middleclasslifeboat.com.
Post Carbon Toronto in Ontario, Canada was recently featured in the Toronto Star. The group holds monthly public meetings to discuss the implications of peak oil and energy issues, and what the city can do to start addressing climate change and energy uncertainty.
If you or your group is interested in joining the Relocalization Network and building a strong and collaborative network of community groups, contact us.
Subscribe to the monthly Relocalize Newsletter and visit www.relocalize.net to stay current with all the Relocalization Network activities!
Featured Post Carbon Group:
Berkeley (California) City Council passed a resolution recognizing the importance of peak oil and the important work of Oil Independent Berkeley, and creating a peak oil task force. Read an article by journalist and Oil Independent Berkeley coordinator Erica Etelson on planning for energy uncertainty from the San Francisco Chronicle.
4. Energy Farms Network
Brookside Farm
This winter we have been researching, writing about, and considering future directions of agriculture in the face of record food and energy prices and continued climate uncertainty. Without a doubt, we live in an exciting time where practicality and creativity will find expression as we make the transition to sustainable living. In the meantime, here is some food for thought.
In 2007, people paid the highest prices ever for wheat and soy as increased demand for food and biofuel eroded the global surplus. Wheat crops from the United States, the Ukraine, Canada, and Australia suffered from unpredictable weather and lack of seasonal rainfall. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N., record prices for most staple foods have led to 18% food price inflation in China, 13% in Indonesia and Pakistan, and 10% or more in Latin America, Russia and India. Meanwhile, farmers continue to pay the highest prices in history for inorganic fertilizers in order to secure competitive yields, as the cost of nitrogen fertilizer derived from natural gas has risen 130% from 2000-2006. For every calorie of food we bring to our plate it takes, on average, ten calories to produce it, with an average travel of 1500 miles from farm to fork. Wow!
Jason Bradford has entered the discussion on the Energy Farm website and has produced a fascinating three-part essay that considers whether or not his county (Mendocino County, CA, pop. 90,000) can feed itself. In part one, Jason lays the foundation for a healthy diet; in part two, he discusses the necessary land to grow that diet with organic agricultural methods (see graph, below); and in part three, he discusses the available land base to grow the food.
The acreage required to produce each class of food per person, absent meat.
Note that because sugar is based on honey it is given no area.
Sebastopol Energy Garden
 As winter here in Sebastopol gets well underway, activity within the garden may be subtle, but the explosion of life that will come in the spring becomes more evident each day.
January has brought heavy rains, demonstrating the utility of the rain catchment system. The compost piles are operating well, reporting temperatures of 80-110°F. And in the chicken yard, the chickens continue to produce eggs daily and feed on the food scraps they receive.
The winter cover crops, brassicas, and winter grains are in the ground (see photo), and there's precious time to reflect upon the last season and prepare for the next. The two highest priority projects for 2008 are improving the educational programs and developing more growing systems. Check in on the blog to find out the latest from the Energy Garden.
5. Putting the Heat on Lomborg: When is An Alarmist not an Alarmist?
 News outlets around the world continue to carry Lomborg's accusations that Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore is an alarmist, especially with regard to possiblity of rising sea levels. But newly published research on the rates of ice melting in Greenland and Antarctica and Greenland shows that it's Lomborg's claims that are on thin ice. Read more.
6. Forthcoming Events
January 24 - 25
Wisconsin Local Food Summit
Eau Claire, WI
The Wisconsin Local Food Summit celebrates the diverse array of local food initiatives underway in Wisconsin.
Jan 29, 2008 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Climate Change: State of Science & Adapting to the Inevitable
New York, NY
This conference will present the current state of science on climate change and the opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. Speakers include: Michael Oppenheimer, Princeton University; Paul Falkowski, Rutgers University; William Schlesinger, IES; William Solecki, Hunter College, CUNY; Stephen Leatherman, Florida International University; George Hendrey, Queens College and CUNY; Robert Paaswell, CCNY; Michael Bobker, CCNY; Robert Bell, Brooklyn College, CUNY; Charles Komanoff, Carbon Tax Center.
 February 5 - 6
Next Generation Ag Energy: Policies to Advance Regional Growth
Madison, WI
Hosted by the Midwest Ag Energy Network, attendees will outline needed infrastructure, technology, incentives, and policy options to move the Midwest toward robust renewable energy development.
Feb. 7-9, 2008
Annual Meeting of the New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Health, and Livable Communities
Washington, DC
Three days, 100 sessions, and 30 speakers on such topics as: Integrating Sustainability and New Urbanism--The Light Imprint Initiative; Growing Cooler--The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change; and Opening the Farm Gate to Local Food Systems.
 February 7-9
Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2008
New Delhi, India
This summit provides knowledge and stimulates debate on various aspects of sustainable development with a focus on developing countries. The DSDS series has enjoyed global support, from over 60 countries, attracting participation from heads of government and ministers, and a host of other dignitaries comprising Nobel laureates, development practitioners, scientists, academics, and corporate leaders.
February 17-21
3rd International Solar Cities Congress
Adelaide, Australia
This Congress is part of the International Solar Cities Initiative, which supports UN energy and climate policies by stimulating the interest of cities into becoming benchmark cities that commit to ambitious emission reduction goals; help cities systematically integrate renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and industries into environmental, economic and city planning; and provide scientific support for the validation and design of effective measures and policies for Solar Cities.
February 26 - 27
Energy Design Conference and Workshop
Duluth, MN
The 18th annual Energy Design Conference and Workshop will have a selection of quality seminars and workshops on the wise use of energy resources for professionals, educators, students, and homeowners.
 March 5, 2008
Massachusetts Environmental Education Society Annual Conference
Worcester, MA
This year's conference focuses on Energizing EE and Going Green. The Conference will help educators plug into Environmental Education with GREEN hot topics, concepts, impacts and solutions.
Register online or download the full brochure and registration form (365 KB). Schedule (view the workshop matrix)
7. February 2008 Preview
News from local governments on the frontlines of fighting peak oil and climate change.
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