Workshops
Session I
- How to Fight Coal
- How to Make Your Campus a Climate Champion
- Health and Climate Change
- Climate Counts: Activating the Choices and Voices of the Climate-Conscious Consumer
- Building a Broad Based Movement for Green Jobs and a New Energy Future for America
- Renewing the Earth: Why the Faith Community is Rising to the Climate Challenge, What They’re Doing and Ways You Can Help
- Helping Companies See the Profit in Addressing Climate Change
- Buying a Sustainable Future: Fair Trade and Socially Responsible Shopping
- 1Sky: Organizing the Grassroots Around One Bold Ask on Climate
- Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism
- Taking Care of the Environment By Taking Care of the Environmentalist . . . with Mindfulness
- Climate Change and National Security
Session II
- Organizing for the Elections in Texas
- Global Warming Science to Politics: Why the 2% Solution?
- Health and Climate Change
- Renewing the Earth: Why the Faith Community is Rising to the Climate Challenge, What They’re Doing and Ways You Can Help
- The Transportation Challenge: Plug-in to Climate Solutions with Green Cars for Your School, City and Home
- Green Building 101
- Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism
- Climate Change: Creating Equitable Solutions in Poor Communities
- Art and Activism
- How the President’s Climate Commitment can Work for Your Campus
- Personal and Planetary Transformation through Mindfulness Meditation, Creativity, Music, Poetry, Dance, the Arts and Compassionate Sustainable Lifestyles
Session III
- Nukes Are Not The Answer
- How to make your Campus a Climate Champion
- Health and Climate Change
- Building a Broad Based Movement for Green Jobs and a New Energy Future for America
- Anti-Coal and Nukes Campaigning
- The College Sustainability Report Card. Find out if your school is making the grade!
- How to Recruit Champions for your Cause
- How the ACUPCC can Work for Your Campus
- Art and Activism
- Climate Change: Creating Equitable Solutions in Poor Communities
- Sustainable Superheroes – Social Justice and its Integral Role in Conservation
Detailed Descriptions
Session I
Public Citizen UTC 1.102
How to Fight Coal
Tom “Smitty” Smith, Director of Coal Block and Public Citizen, Texas, will discuss the coal fight in America. There are still proposals to build over 100 coal plants in the US, despite Coal Block and other efforts knocking off more than 50 proposed plants since 2007. Proposed and permitted plants in Texas threaten all major metropolises in Texas with non-attainment under the Clean Air Act and coal is the number one threat to fighting climate change. Victories in the last year prove that this is a fight we can win, so come learn how you and your campus can contribute.
National Wildlife Federation UTC 1.104
How to Make Your Campus a Climate Champion
Lisa Madry, Praween Dayananda
Colleges and universities are like towns or small cities in their size, environmental impact and financial influence. If any sector of society has the potential to model the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future, it is higher education. Come learn the business, educational, and moral arguments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on your campus, as well as specific strategies you can use to make your campus a leader in modeling sustainability and effective global warming solutions.
Physicians for Social Responsibility UTC 1.132
Health and Climate Change
Giving students a medical perspective on the changing environment and its consequences on human health.
Hanoch Patt, M.D. completed his undergraduate degree in Politics at Princeton University, and medical school, residency, and Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He is completing a Master’s in Public Health in Health Policy at the University of
Texas School of Public Health in Houston. He now practices pediatric cardiology in Austin
Climate Counts UTC 1.130
Climate Counts: Activating the Choices and Voices of the Climate-Conscious Consumer
Climate Counts (www.climatecounts.org) is a non-profit campaign that scores companies annually on the basis of their voluntary action to reverse climate change. The new Climate Counts Company Scorecard — launched in June 2007 — helps people make climate-conscious purchasing and investing choices and encourages them to urge the world’s most well-known companies to take the issue of climate change seriously. Project Director Wood Turner will run a workshop on the Climate Counts On Campus campaign. He will talk to organizers about the value of mobilizing student consumers and how they can use the Climate Counts campus activism toolkit to do that.
Energy Action Coalition UTC 1.146
Building a Broad Based Movement for Green Jobs and a New Energy Future for America
Ragini Kapadia
We need to act boldly to fight climate change and transition America to a new clean energy economy that creates healthier, cleaner, more secure, and sustainable communities. In seizing this historic opportunity, not only can we confront the risks posed by climate change but we can create millions of good jobs across the nation and work to lift millions out of poverty. Young people have a unique role to play in advancing this vision of a clean, just, and sustainable economy. Young people across the nation have created a broad and deep infrastructure to enable changes not only on campuses but within their communities, cities, and states. Come learn how can seize this opportunity to build a broad based movement to combat climate change, lift millions out of poverty, and to create jobs for our generation.
Texas Impact & Restoring Eden UTC 1.144
Renewing the Earth: Why the Faith Community is Rising to the Climate Challenge, What They’re Doing and Ways You Can Help
Shelley Vinyard of Texas Impact and Peter Illyn of Restoring Eden
How can we connect with our faith and the environment at the same time? This workshop will address the interplay between faith, social justice and climate change, as well as how people of faith are rallying behind a renewed approach to environmental stewardship and action on climate change, from places of worship, to larger communities and beyond. Come hear what faith-based communities across the nation and in Texas are doing to address climate change and how the larger environmental community as a whole can help get the ball rolling in communities of faith.
Corporate Social Responsibility UTC 1.116
Helping Companies See the Profit in Addressing Climate Change
In short, CSR means “doing the right thing”. However, in developing meaningful CSR practices, a company must go beyond this gut-check definition and analyze how its actions impact a wide variety of stakeholder groups. Important stakeholders include shareholders, employees, suppliers, the environment, community members, customers and partners. A company that is acting in a socially responsible manner will act to minimize the negative impacts its business practices have on all stakeholder groups.
Co-Op America UTC 1.118
Buying a Sustainable Future: Fair Trade and Socially Responsible Shopping
Everything we buy affects the environment and the people that produce the products we use. Find out about Co-op America’s “green approved” companies and the diverse range of product certifications that exist. We’ll discuss the empowerment of women and marginalized communities in the global south through fairly traded goods and cooperative businesses.
1Sky PAR 105
1Sky: Organizing the Grassroots Around One Bold Ask on Climate
Ted Glick
The 1Sky Campaign is not another organization or institution, but a new initiative aimed at pooling the strengths of all grassroots groups working to combat climate change into one bold ask for our leaders. The 1Sky platform has already begun fusing new alliances and taking collective strategy on climate change to new heights. Come learn about 1Sky and where you fit in to the savviest proposal yet to transform our future.
Environmental Justice & Climate Change Initiative PAR 206
Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism
Ellen Choy
What is Environmental Justice? What is Environmental Racism? This workshop will provide an overview of the history of environmental justice, as well as outline its principles for creating a just and sustainable world. Learn what environmental justice has to say about activism, society, and change, and how it has already affected the course of recent history through past and ongoing campaigns
Interfaith Mindfulness Ministries PAR 101
Taking Care of the Environment By Taking Care of the Environmentalist . . . with Mindfulness
Brother ChiSing
By learning simple, powerful ways to de-stress, to get centered, and to find calm and clarity in the midst of everyday chaos, we can better sustain our activism and prevent early burnout. This workshop will explore how the practice of mindfulness can help us live active, creative and free lives while at the same time pursuing the issues we are passionate about. Come learn how to share our ideas and visions with peace, joy, wisdom and compassion.
Climate Change and National Security
Prof. Joshua Busby, University of Texas, Austin
This workshop will explore the connections between climate change and national security. How will climate change impact Americans at home, US military operations, and global relations and what should be done?
Session II
Public Citizen UTC 1.102
Organizing for the Elections in Texas
With more than 50 seats available for contests in the state legislature, the 2008 election may be one of the most important on record. Even a few advocates for climate change can make a substantial difference in the 2009 session. Come learn which seats are up for grabs, and how by starting now your student group can make the difference between victory or defeat for the climate change agenda in Texas next year.
National Wildlife Federation UTC 1.104
Global Warming Science to Politics: Why the 2% Solution?
Lisa Madry
80% below 1990 levels below 2050… and 30% by 2020? So what’s with all these numbers? Learn why a 2% annual reduction in carbon emissions is important, what results it can bring, and how to effectively communicate the carbon reduction process with others when calling for bold solutions to global warming.
Physicians for Social Resp. UTC 1.132
Health and Climate Change
IAN ALWARD
Giving students a medical perspective on the changing environment and its consequences on human health.
IAN ALWARD,MD received his BS from Northwestern University in Environmental Science and then went on to Indiana University’s School of Medicine for his MD. He completed a Family Medicine residency at University of Washington in Seattle in 2002 and has worked in family medicine either through the Indian Health Service or in private practice since then.
Texas Impact & Restoring Eden UTC 1.144
Renewing the Earth: Why the Faith Community is Rising to the Climate Challenge, What They’re Doing and Ways You Can Help
(description available under “Session I”)
Co-Op America UTC 1.118
The Transportation Challenge: Plug-in to Climate Solutions with Green Cars for Your School, City and Home
One third of carbon emissions in our country come from transportation – when we move ourselves and our stuff in cars across town or across the country. Learn about how you can take the transportation challenge and green the fleet of cars and trucks used at your school or in your city. We’ll also talk about what you can do in your community to work with car companies to make fuel efficient plug-in hybrid cars — our best hope for cutting transportation emissions.
Architecture for Humanity UTC 1.130
Green Building 101
Samara Spence and Fred Hubnik are the founding directors of the Austin Chapter of Architecture for Humanity, an organization that provides pro-bono professional services to needy communities. Together, they have 12+ years of experience in sustainable and context sensitive architecture.
Green Building 101 will provide an introduction to green building concepts and techniques, focusing on how to intelligently advocate for green building on your campus. Armed with an understanding of effective options and arguments, you can influence the people who make substantial decisions.
Environmental Justice & Climate Change UTC 1.116
Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism
(description available under “Session I”)
Oxfam America PAR 206
Climate Change: Creating Equitable Solutions in Poor Communities
From floods in Bangladesh to droughts in Kenya, glacier melts in Peru to hurricanes in the Caribbean, poor and developing communities are already suffering from the effects of climate change. In this workshop, we will discuss the disproportionate impacts and human costs of climate change. We will also explore current US legislation and the need to create international resolutions to insure just and sustainable development in poor communities.
Austin Green Art PAR 105
Art and Activism
Green and community-centered art can bring people together around issues of sustainability, as well as bring attention to your campaigns. Get inspired by Austin Green Art’s many successful projects and learn how art can contribute to your goals on campus.
Presidents’ Climate Commitment PAR 101
How the ACUPCC can Work for Your Campus
Michelle Mckay
Michelle McKay of Second Nature will discuss this high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the Earth’s climate. Workshop will include a discussion on ways to encourage your President or Chancellor to commit to climate neutrality.
Interfaith Mindfulness Ministries PAR 101
Personal and Planetary Transformation through Mindfulness Meditation,
Creativity, Music, Poetry, Dance, the Arts and Compassionate Sustainable Lifestyles
Brother ChiSing
This workshop has the similar content as “Taking Care of the Environment By Taking Care of the Environmentalist . . . with Mindfulness” with the FUN added bonus of creativity, music, poetry, dance, and the arts. We will also explore various lifestyles that we can easily live and promote to create a sustainable future for ourselves and our planet. Activism doesn’t have to be full of anger, fear and stress. It can be fun, calming and liberating, too!
Session III
Public Citizen & SEED Coalition UTC 1.102
Nukes Are Not The Answer
America has begun to move forward on climate change solutions, and the nuclear power industry believes they see an opportunity to do something they haven’t in decades – build more nuclear power plants. Texas is seeing some of the worst of it with five plants proposed and two moving forward in Matagorda County, ahead of all others nationwide. These plants are environmentally hazardous, a major public health risk, and economically untenable. The key to stopping them lies in organizing against them and compelling your campus, your city, your county, and/or your co-op not to by nuclear energy.
National Wildlife Federation UTC 1.104
How to make your Campus a Climate Champion
(description available under “Session I”)
Physicians for Social Resp. UTC 1.132
Health and Climate Change
Giving students a medical perspective on the changing environment and its consequences on human health.
Laurie Seremetis, M.D. is currently getting her Masters degree in public policy at the LBJ School of public affairs after practicing psychiatry for 11 years. She is interested and involved in healthcare reform and child welfare policy.
Energy Action Coalition UTC 1.130
Building a Broad Based Movement for Green Jobs and a New Energy Future for America
Ragini Kapadia
(description available under “Session I”)
Anna Star Rose UTC 1.146
Anti-Coal and Nukes Campaigning
Old, dirty energy sources like coal and nuclear are on their way out, and a clean renewable energy future is coming! But to get to this future, we need to break down one of our biggest obstacles – the poweful coal and nuclear industries. Come learn about campaigns against coal and uranium mining, and coal and nuclear power, in the US, Australia & other countries. We’ll talk about why we need to phase out this dity energy, showcase some effective campaigns, and get excited with a brainstorm and planning for Fossil Fools Day 2008 (April 1st).
Sustainable Endowments UTC 1.144
The College Sustainability Report Card. Find out if your school is making the grade!
Mark Orlowski
The College Sustainability Report Card grades schools in eight main areas, from green building initiatives to endowment investment policies. Join this interactive workshop to learn more about how you can effectively use the Report Card as leverage in campaigns at your schools. Also, this is your chance to ask the lead author of the Report Card questions about specific school grades and how your school can get a better grade!
Michelle Hallahan UTC 1.116
How to Recruit Champions for your Cause
Lessons from UT and its recent progress on a range of sustainability initiatives. Finding a key student group, faculty member, or administrator to back your cause can make change happen on your campus. Learn how to find them and bring them on board.
Presidents’ Climate Commitment PAR 101
How the ACUPCC can Work for Your Campus
(description available under “Session II”)
Austin Green Art PAR 105
Art and Activism
(description available under “Session II”)
Oxfam America PAR 206
Climate Change: Creating Equitable Solutions in Poor Communities
(description available under “Session II”)
Architecture for Humanity PAR 103
Sustainable Superheroes – Social Justice and its Integral Role in Conservation
Conservation and social justice are often treated as separate ideas, but it is becoming more and more apparent that one cannot exist without the other. In Sustainable Superheroes, Fred and Samara explain the inseparable nature of sustainability and helping those in need.
