[NMSEA-news] Chapter Meeting Tomorrow, Workshops, Conferences, Issues
News from New Mexico Solar Energy Association
nmsea-news at nmsea.org
Mon Oct 22 13:23:23 MDT 2007
Hi Solar Enthusiasts!
Here's the current list of events in our area and beyond. First is the
calendar summary, then further below are more details for each event:
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this NMSEA-news e-mail list, please
visit: http://nmsea.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nmsea-news.
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10/23 NMSEA Albuquerque Chapter Meeting
Robert Griffin: The Biology of Sustainability
10/23 Oppose loan guarantees to the nuclear power industry–deadline
10/27 The Green Earth COB Workshop on N14
10/19-28 - The Natural Building Colloquium, Quiet Valley Ranch,
Kerrville, TX
11/7-9 Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change Conference! Sacramento, CA
11/13-18 Festival of Cranes at Bosque del Apache
11/10-18 Ecovillage Design Education Course – Social Dimension
3/1, 2008 Natural Building workshop with World Hands
5/3-8, 2008 American Solar Energy Association Annual Conference
GENERAL INTEREST ITEMS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST:
- SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS INDUSTRY COUNCIL Beyond Green Award
- YOUNG SCIENTISTS AGE 13 TO 26
- NEW CONSUMER GUIDE TO HOME ENERGY SAVINGS
- 2007 GREEN POWER INDUSTRY DIRECTORY ON CD-ROM, PDF, AND HARD COPY
TODAY!
Please see the NMSEA Event Calendar for the complete list of events:
http://www.nmsea.org/Events/Event_Calendar.php. We usually only list the
most recent notices here.
Any questions? Please contact us!
NEW MEXICO SOLAR ENERGY ASSOCIATION
1009 Bradbury St SE, Ste. 35
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-246-0400, 888-886-6765
Fax: 505-246-2251
www.nmsea.org <http://www.nmsea.org> <http://www.nmsea.org>
info at nmsea.org <mailto:info at nmsea.org> <mailto:info at nmsea.org>
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DETAIL OF EVENTS:
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10/23 NMSEA ALBUQUERQUE CHAPTER MEETING
6:30PM AT REI (NW of I-25 and Montaño)
The Biology of Sustainability: Permaculture Principles as the foundation
of Green Building, Community Living, and everyday life.
with Robert Griffin
Robert has an extensive background in residential construction, the last
10 years deeply involved in Green Building and Eco Renovation. For the
last four years he has participated in several ‘intentional communities’
and has become an enthusiastic student and proponent of Permaculture and
Co-creative Community.
Currently, Robert is involved in the creation of a variety of
sustainable living educational programs with organizations such as
Ecovillage Design Education, Hummingbird Living School, New Mexico Solar
Energy Association, and The Art Ranch.
In addition to supporting the unique teachings of these programs, Robert
is committed to the belief that each of us is a vital part of the living
organism of society and therefore the planet, and that just like any
other organism, the health and survival of society and the planet is
dependent upon the inclusion, support, health, and empowerment of each
individual.
Contact Robert at 366-4700 or Robert at globalfamily.net
______________________________
OPPOSE NUCLEAR LOAN GUARANTEES
From: Ken Bossong [mailto:kbossong614 at yahoo.com]
SIGN-ONS INVITED: Group Letter Opposing Nuclear Loan Guarantees
Write and ask to see letter to the leadership of the U.S. Senate and
U.S. House of Representatives opposing legislative proposals to extend
loan guarantees to the nuclear industry to construct new reactors.
SIGN-ON DEADLINE:
If you would like to sign on to the letter, please let us hear from you by
close-of-business:
TUESDAY - OCTOBER 23.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY NETWORK
8606 Greenwood Avenue, #2
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-588-4741
sustainable-energy-network at hotmail.com
_____________________________________________________
10/27 MID-MONTH – THE GREEN EARTH COB WORKSHOP ON N14
The Green Earth Workshop will be holding a one-day hands-on workshop in
cob construction, a great sculptural---and free, nothing but earth---
building technique.
Location: a scenic canyon off the Turqoise Trail (North Hwy 14, back
road between Santa Fe and Tijeras).
Cost, $50.
Call Laurie at 220-2726 for more info or a flyer.
_________________________________________
10/19-28 -THE NATURAL BUILDING COLLOQUIUM
October will bring an opportunity to connect with natural builders and
those committed to sustainability and community. The Natural Building
Colloquium, Oct 19-28, 2007, will bring together many skilled,
interesting, big-hearted people. It will be in Kerrville, a couple of
hours from Austin or San Antonio. If the announcement below interests
you, follow the link at the bottom for more information.
Derek Roff
Director, Builders Without Borders
In the spirit of strengthening and expanding our community of those
interested in sustainable building, central Texas invites you to attend
a Natural Building Colloquium, October 19-28. Colloquia are gatherings
of people, ranging from experienced to simply curious, who come to learn
from each other, to synergize their experience and to remind themselves
of their larger vision.
Oct 19-28, 2007 ... come one weekend, two weekends or all ten days
Quiet Valley Ranch, Kerrville, TX
In our case, the vision is of a lifestyle and building culture that
could repeat itself indefinitely through successive generations. With
careful searching many of us have concluded that the use of locally
abundant, unprocessed materials such as earth, stone, straw and native
timber provide the structure with which to achieve this vision. Cob,
strawbale, adobe, earthbag, leichtlehm (straw-clay), and timber frame
are a few of the types of systems that exemplify this philosophy.
Natural buildings become pieces of art created with soul and purpose.
Permaculture , or "permanent agriculture," helps us integrate human
patterns into the landscape surrounding our homes. As originated by Bill
Mollison, permaculture is the practice of designing sustainable human
habitats by
following nature's patterns, integrating ecology, landscape, organic
gardening, architecture and agroforestry.
There are other important aspects as well: delicious food that nourishes
the body, music, laughter, creativity, families of all sorts, eager
minds and willing hands. We seek to create homes that comfort the body
and lift the soul. If you possess or aspire to any of the above, we
invite you to join us this fall. We have in incredible group of
presenters and hands-on projects.
Details on presenters, registration, costs, meals and accomodations at
<http://www.naturalbuildingtexas.org>
early registration ends Aug 15
We hope to see you in Texas this October!
________________________________________________________
11/7-9 - BEHAVIOR, ENERGY, AND CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE
Sacramento, California
The first-ever Behavior, Energy and Climate Change Conference ("BECC")
is a national conference focused on understanding the behavior and
decision-making of individuals and organizations and on using that
knowledge to help accelerate our transition to an energy-efficient and
low-carbon economy
The conference program and registration details will be announced soon
on the conference Web site: http://aceee.org/conf/07becc/07beccindex.htm.
What Topics Will Be Addressed? (partial list)
Behavior and technology-design, adoption, and use
Motivating individual and collective action
Behavior and policy design and regulation
Insights from anthropology, sociology, psychology, and public health
research and interventions
Increasing program participation and effectiveness
Incorporating behavior in energy potential studies
Lessons from 30 years of program evaluations
People are different-leveraging segmentation
Behavior in organizations
Impacts of changing lifestyles on energy use
Social norms and networks
Economic models and behavior
Social marketing and other behavior change strategies
Attitudes, opinions and "public will"
Messages, messengers, and role models
Who Should Attend?
This first-ever conference on Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change will
attract a diverse group. The meeting will be of interest to anyone
interested in behavior, energy, and climate issues, especially
researchers; policymakers and advisors (national, state and local);
program developers and implementers; marketing, advertising, and
communications professionals; corporations; consultants; evaluators;
utilities; technology manufacturers; NGO's; faculty and students.
Other Details
The Behavior, Energy and Climate Change Conference will be held November
7 - 9, 2007 in Sacramento, California. The conference will begin on
Wednesday evening, November 7 with Registration and a Networking
Reception from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Two full days of sessions will be
held on November 8 and 9.
Online registration will be available soon at
http://aceee.org/conf/07becc/07beccindex.htm.
________________________________________________
11/13-18 FESTIVAL OF CRANES AT BOSQUE DEL APACHE
THE FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES - http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane/
This is the 18th year that the City of Socorro, New Mexico and the
Bosque del Apache NWR have celebrated the return of the cranes with this
festival. We invite you to share it with us.
Education is an important part of the mission of the Bosque del Apache
National Wildlife Refuge. Throughout the year the Bosque is host to
meetings, seminars, international film crews, tours, visits by groups of
school children and, in November, the Festival of the Cranes.
There are four major components to the Festival: tours, lectures,
exhibits and the Refuge.
Tours:
Tours are offered to introduce you to areas and topics not commonly
available during the year. Birders will be out from dawn to dusk on and
off of the Bosque. There is even a Birding Tour on Elephant Butte Lake.
The management of local National Wildlife Refuges will conduct groups
and explain in detail the operation of each refuge. During the Historic
Socorro Open House photo galleries and historic buildings will be open
for your inspection. New Mexico Tech and the Scientific community will
also have displays and tours.
Caution to birders. Read the descriptions carefully - not all tours are
for birding.
Lectures:
Lectures are offered for a variety of wildlife related subjects. Most
lectures are given at the Macey Center in Socorro. Some lectures are
workshops in photography, bird identification and wildlife painting.
Workshops are conducted in the field or special facilities.
Exhibits:
On Saturday and most of Sunday the main Promenade, at the Refuge, will
be filled with exhibits and demonstrations. This is where you will see
animals up close, very close. Animal rescue groups will display mammals
and birds along the perimeter of the Promenade. If you ever wanted a
full head photo of a Flammulated Owl, this may be your only opportunity.
In the Visitor Center and the art and exhibitors tents, you will find
educational activities as well as items for sale.
The Bosque del Apache NWR:
We are here to celebrate the return of the Cranes so don't miss them.
The Fly-Out in the morning and the Fly-In in the evening are memorable
events. You are free to experience this on your own or you may join one
of the tours listed in this brochure.
_____________________________________________
11/10-18 ECOVILLAGE DESIGN EDUCATION TRAINING
Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) is a four-part introductory training
course being offered over the course of the next year through the
Univ.of New Mexico Continuing Education. The program is dedicated to
creating solutions to global environmental, social, and economic issues
through local and regional community building. Course content provides
an overview of design considerations for establishing sustainable
communities ("eco-villages") in both urban and rural settings in order
to promote and prepare for a sustainable future and has already been
presented and implemented in ten other countries including Germany,
Brazil, and India. This year EDE is being offered for the first time in
the United States, right here in New Mexico! EDE is a project of Gaia
Education, a component of the Global Ecovillage Network and an official
contribution to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development.
For detailed course or registration information, visit:
www.ecovillagedesignsouthwest.org
or e-mail info at ecovillagedesignsouthwest.org
____________________________________________________
3/1, 2008 NATURAL BUILDING WORKSHOP WITH WORLD HANDS
Our friends at World Hands are presenting a learning and service
opportunity next March, in Anapra, Mexico, near El Paso. It's a chance
to connect with the people of a border community addressing
sustainability issues, and to learn from Alfred von Bachmayr, a
sustainability pioneer, designer, and innovator. See the description
and their website, below.
Derek Roff
Director, Builders Without Borders
World Hands Project:
Las Hormigas Kitchen and Day Care Building Rehabilitation
Anapra, Chihuahua, Mexico
[on the USA-Mexico border across from Sunland Park, NM]
2-week workshop: March 1 - 15, 2008
Come join us for the 1st week, the 2nd week or both. $600 for either
week, $1100 for both weeks. We will be building a pallet truss roof
system with better insulation and weather protection, light straw-clay
stuffed pallet walls, and a bio-remediation system for waste kitchen water.
We may also be including a composting toilet component and a swale
system for storm-water collection at the back of the property depending
on group interest, number of participants and building schedule. There
will be hands-on learning and plenty of time for questions.
We will have an immersion component to better understand the Anapra
context within which we work. This is Part One of a series of projects
to update this property with sustainable and natural technologies for
better comfort and utility for Las Hormigas, a social work agency in
Anapra.
Contact us at info at worldhandsproject.org or Alfred von Bachmayr at
505.989.7000 to request more information. Please visit our website:
www.worldhandsproject.org
<http://www.worldhandsproject.org/images/uploads/Las_Hormigas_flyer.pdf>
_______________________________________________________________
5/3-8, 2008 AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Friends and Colleagues -
The American Solar Energy Society will be hosting their next conference,
"Solar 2008: Catch the Clean Energy Wave", on May 3 - 8, 2008 in sunny
San Diego.
If you've got a groundbreaking new solar finance model, a revolutionary
community solar initiative, or are working on the next killer solar app,
please consider participating in next year's Solar 2008 conference.
How to participate:
1) Submit a technical abstract detailing your latest research, project,
policy or advocacy work.
2) Submit a forum proposal. Forums are 90 minute sessions that take an
in-depth look at one timely topic and can include a variety of
presentation formats (e.g. case studies, panel discussions, interactive
peer-to-peer or teaching sessions).
3) Submit a workshop proposal. Workshops provide a more detailed and
structured treatment of relevant topics in a much longer format than 90
minute conference sessions. Workshops are typically four or eight hours
long, and can be multiple days. Workshops are proposed by individuals as
full sessions.
Abstracts and proposals are due October 8th.
Please forward to others in the solar and sustainability fields that can
contribute their expertise and experience to the event.
For additional information on submitting abstracts and proposals, see
the attached flyer or visit:
http://ncsea.c.topica.com/maahWXkabBp06a4JSMYbaeQyif/
See you in San Diego!
Claudia Wentworth
President, NorCal Solar Energy Association
GENERAL INTEREST:
__________________________________________________________
SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS INDUSTRY COUNCIL BEYOND GREEN AWARDS
112 16th Street NW, Suite 240, Washington, D.C. 20036 * 202–628–7400 *
202–393–5043 (fax)
For Immediate Release: October 2007
Media Contact: Josephine Mooney
Email: jmooney at SBICouncil.org
MEDIA RELEASE
The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council Announces a Call for Entries for
Beyond Green : SBIC's 2007 High Performance Building Awards
With Categories for "High Performance Initiatives" and "High Performance
Buildings"
Washington, D.C.–The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) is
now soliciting entries for the 2007 Beyond Green™ High Performance
Building Awards. As the Council entered its seventh year of awards
programs, the emphasis was updated to reflect its evolving approach to
building design, summed up by Beyond Green™. These unique awards will
recognize initiatives that shape, inform and catalyze the
high-performance building market, as well as the real-world application
of high performance construction practices. The program is open to all
and offers two entry categories, "High Performance Initiatives" and
"High Performance Buildings." Federal, state and private sector entries
are welcome. Commercial, institutional and residential buildings are all
eligible. Appropriate applicants would include trade associations,
researchers, architects, engineers, consultants, universities and
educators, builders, public and private building owners, product
manufacturers and suppliers, marketing and media experts, and utilities.
Entries must be submitted no later than Friday, November 30, 2007. Entry
fees range from $200 to $400. Full details, including the Call for
Entries, Submission Guidelines and Applications are available online at
www.sbicouncil.org.
The top award winners will be invited to speak at the National Building
Museum on January 16, 2008 in conjunction with a US Department of
Energy-sponsored lecture series. The day’s activities will include an
awards presentation ceremony and reception (logistical details to be
announced). Additional benefits include an announcement in SBIC’s member
newsletter, Buildings Inside & Out, a handsome plaque, and–so that
others may learn from this process–winning projects will be published as
case studies on the SBIC website (www.SBICouncil.org) and on the Whole
Building Design Guide website (www.WBDG.org) (which gets hundreds of
thousands of unique visitors each month and has over 1 million documents
downloaded each month).
SBIC has been a national leader in defining the whole building approach
to design since its inception in 1980. This approach, which results in
high performance buildings, favors sustainability as a prominent design
objective. At the same time, buildings must also maintain the proper
balance of seven other design objectives depicted here.
Criteria: Award submissions in both categories will be evaluated based
on the successful application of the design objectives, and on energy
and environmental considerations. In addition, submissions in the High
Performance Initiatives Category (which can include policy/program
initiatives, research, product development, educational or consumer
awareness efforts) will also be evaluated on transferability and
marketability.
In the High Performance Building Category, benefits to the owner
/client, innovation and integration will also be taken into
consideration in judging.
Sponsors for the awards program include BASF, SKANSKA, BOMA, CertainTeed
and the Whole Building Design Guide.
About SBIC: The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council is a non-profit
organization whose mission is to unite and inspire the building industry
toward higher performance through education, outreach, advocacy and the
mutual exchange of ideas. Visit www.SBICouncil.org for more information.
_______________________________
YOUNG SCIENTISTS AGE 13 TO 26
If you know a young scientist ages 13-26, this may be of interest to you
Wanted: Citizen Scientists
Youth ages 13-26 are invited to submit original scientific research or
position papers to the Citizen Science Technical Board for the 2008
CitizenScience paper competition! Winners will, in addition to
publication, have the chance to present their work at the United
Nations Commission on Sustainable Development in NYC.
"The ability to speak before some of the most influential people in the
world was indeed an honor and something that I will remember for years
to come."
– Lee Blaney, 2005 Citizen Scientist
**Please forward widely and pardon cross-postings**
TOP FIVE reasons to submit your work:
1. Share your passion for addressing the world's toughest challenges
through sound science
2. Join the SustainUS delegation to the 16th UN Commission on
Sustainable Development in New York
3. Present your work and communicate the importance of youth
involvement to international leaders
5. Get published in Citizen Science
6. Start a relationship with the premier youth-run network for
sustainable development, SustainUS!
CitizenScience, the technical branch of SustainUS, is hosting our
annual paper competition. The winning work will be published in
Citizen Science, an online journal that honors young people in the
United States who are interested in enriching public dialogue with
innovative, scientific approaches to sustainable development. Authors
of winning papers will also present their work at the UN Commission on
Sustainable Development's 16th Session in New York City in May 2008,
where SustainUS will be joined by the US State Department in
recognizing your initiative, leadership and insight.
Please submit your work to the Citizen Science Technical Board. Papers
should be written for a non-scientific audience on natural or social
science topics related to the economic, social, technological or
environmental dimensions of sustainable development addressed by the
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. This year's
topics are: agriculture, rural development, land, drought,
desertification and Africa. Papers need not describe original
research, though original research is welcome and encouraged.
Papers will be accepted on a rolling basis until January 1, 2008.
Please send all paper submissions and questions about the competition
to CitizenScience at SustainUS.org. For more information, competition
entry rules, and winning papers from prior years, please visit
www.sustainus.org/citizenscience.
Good luck!
___________________________________________________
NEW CONSUMER GUIDE TO HOME ENERGY SAVINGS
News Release
Technical contact: Jennifer Thorne Amann, 202-429-8873
Media contact: Glee Murray, 202-429-0063
New Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings Can Help Consumers Save
Energy, Save Money, and Save the Earth
Washington, D.C. (September 26, 2007): Amid pervasive concerns about
high energy bills and the impacts of climate change, consumers zeroing
in on how to save energy in order to save money and the environment can
turn to the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 9th edition for
practical and immediate help. The latest edition of the Consumer Guide,
just released by its co-publishers, the American Council for an
Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and New Society Publishers, is a
one-stop resource for consumers who want to improve their home’s energy
performance.
The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings begins with an overview of the
inter-relationships between energy use, economics, and the environment.
Two new chapters are included: one provides an in-depth look at what the
energy-conscious need to know about their home’s ventilation and air
distribution system, and the other is devoted solely to home
electronics. Other chapters focus on specific areas in the home, such as
lighting, kitchen, and laundry. Tips on improving existing equipment,
and guidance for when and why consumers should purchase new,
energy-efficient equipment, as well as reminders to check local
government and utility incentives for purchase or retrofit grants are
also included.
“The Consumer Guide draws on the latest research on home performance and
energy use, translating research findings into the practical steps
consumers can take to cut their energy consumption,” notes Jennifer
Thorne Amann, ACEEE Senior Associate and lead author of the Consumer
Guide. The book has also been expanded to include more information on
technologies that are gaining popularity, such as compact fluorescent
lamps and LEDs, tankless and solar water heaters, and consumer electronics.
Other improvements to the guide include updated and expanded
illustrations, charts, tables, and information resources to help
consumers set priorities, weigh their options, and make better purchase
decisions. “We take a balanced approach in recommending the best ways to
save energy and money,” said Katie Ackerly, ACEEE Research Staff and
co-author of the new edition. “The tips you find in the book are
designed to benefit the consumer economically, improving overall
satisfaction while reducing environmental impact.”
Hard copies of the book - printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper -
can be ordered for $16.95 (plus shipping and handling) directly from
ACEEE (see www.aceee.org/consumer) and are also available from major
retail booksellers. Bulk sales discounts are available from ACEEE. All
trade book publisher requests should be directed to New Society
Publishers. For further information, contact:
ACEEE Publications
1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 801
Washington, D.C. 20036-5525
Phone: 202-429-0063 Fax: 202-429-0193
aceee_publications at aceee.org
www.aceee.org
New Society Publishers
P.O. Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0 Canada
Phone: 800-567-6772
www.newsociety.com
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent,
nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a
means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental
protection. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications,
and conferences, contact ACEEE, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite
801, Washington, D.C.20036-5525or visit http://aceee.org.
_____________________________________________________________
2007 GREEN POWER INDUSTRY DIRECTORY ON CD-ROM, PDF, AND HARD COPY TODAY!
Need a list of a comprehensive, industry-wide listing of manufacturers
and dealers of renewable/clean energy products and systems? Webcom's
Renewable/Clean Energy Database mailing list of 3,000 contacts and 2,143
companies & locations worldwide, has what you're looking for. Updated
daily, the list includes company, name and title of contacts, address,
phone, fax and website or email address when available.
For further information please contact Donna Chrivia at
donna at infowebcom.com or call 720 528 3770, ext. 127.
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