Bill McKibben Skyped with us for an hour in Torg 3100 -Last Tuesday –  it was exceptional!

Here are a few noteworthy things he discussed:

Wrote About Climate Change since… before many of us were born. The Truth? We knew what we needed to know 20 years ago. The Carbon Science.

The story of the last 20 years – is the story of how hard and how fast that it is happening.

The question is how far are we going to move?

Climate change is not a future problem – it’s a present crisis we have to take on now.

“Connect the Dots” A global movement:

May 5th | with friends all over the world | BIG GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION | designed to draw attention to the urgency of Climate change

Highlighting: Consequences. Causes. Solution.

It’s more than one weather tragedy, there are multiple solutions, and we need to act fast – so we can do something about this.

We’re taking on the power of the fossil fuel industry -which is the richest industry the world has ever seen. We’re going to be taking on that industry, with battles like the Keystone XL Pipeline. We got to demonstrate the real people power. We’re never going to have enough money… so we have to make up for it in spirit, passion and creativity.

We won, temporally. But all environmental victories are temporary…

Even if we manage to block the pipeline – we’re not going to stop climate change. We have to figure out a more coherent strategy - like putting a price on carbon – to internalize the costs it puts on our atmosphere – that’s what the fossil fuel industry fears the most.

Why are subsidies such a bad idea? In education subsidies, we provide loans and grants to allow people to be smarter and wiser… and be a help to things. The reason not to pay subsidies to fossil fuel companies – (1) they are already rich - would we give subsidies and aid to already rich college students? (2) They have been doing this for 250 years now – subsidies are not going to help them get better at it. (3) We are subsiding the thing we want less of…

Politically and scientifically – lay of the land – where we are. This fight will keep intensifying. We have to keep the pressure up because we don’t have much time. We need you working hard now.

cool things:

Civil Disobedience - college students should not be the main cannon fodder – Most people who were arrested in Washington DC for keystone were born in the FDR and Truman administrations

If you’re going to get arrested, come in your Sunday best – a visual way to say “in this fight, we are not the radicals, we are asking for it to work like it has been for the last 10,000 years.” The radical ones are the coal companies and oil companies who are willing to change the chemical composition of the atmosphere just to make money.

All over the world, in every county, there are rooms full of people like the one you’re in right now – ready to solve this.

Thank you for what you’ve done. Thank you for what you’re going to do.

In fact, we are having a meeting this Tuesday in Squires Brush Mountain. We will be discussing the EC Constitution, EARTH WEEK, class raps, and working in AWESOME PROJECT GROUPS.

Your Facilitator: Josh

Giving the Ice Breaker is: Alex

Enviro News: Lindsey

After our weekly news, we will discuss a CAMPING TRIP, learn about Class Raps and how to become an EC officer! We are then breaking into Project Groups!

Announcements: 

Don’t forget to register for Relay for Life! Register for our team! The name is “Sustainable Hokies” – We are going to recycle so SIGN UP because we need your help. It’s $10 and a pretty low commitment. We need YOUR help to bring environmental awareness to the RELAY Hokie nation on April 20th. don’t delay.

Bike Kitchen 5 K: Sign Up! The Bike Kitchen is having a 5K run and walk with all proceeds going directly to helping us reach fundraising goals for our building projects. The race will be April 28th at 8:30 A.M. at the Christiansburg Rec Center. The link to the active.com site is below to register. The race will cost $20 when registered before March 31st and $25 dollars after that date. The first 200 registrants receive a free t-shirt. Thank you for your time and support and I look forward to seeing you at the race! http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2019584

Urban Farming Talk on Monday April 9, 104 B Surge from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
IDR day-
The Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society (IDR) is sponsoring the second Interdisciplinary Day at the Inn at Virginia Tech. IDR day is an event for students, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as faculty to attempt to tackle university problems by using creativity and interdisciplinarity. Registration is free, space is limited.

Below is a link to more information and registration:
http://www.idrsociety.org/idr-day-2012/

UAPSA field trip-
The Urban Affairs and Planning Student Association (UAPSA), in cooperation with the New River Land Trust (NRLT), is announcing a field trip to McDonald’s Mill, a historic property under conservation easement located in eastern Montgomery County.  The trip will take place on Saturday, April 7, leaving Blacksburg at 9:30 am and returning by 1:00 pm.  John Eustis, the Executive Director of the NRLT, will guide us around the property, highlighting several interesting features, including:

This week we will be meeting once again in Brush Mtn A at 8 PM on Tues 3/20.

We’ve made it half way through the semester and Spring Break is almost here! Come out to the last meeting in February. THIS TUESDAY at 8:00 pm – Brush Mountain A, Squires.

Erica is the Facilitator.

Environmental News will be brought to you this week by: Abby! 

Lindsey is leading the Ice Breaker.

Alex is leading the EC’s New Book Club and he is going to talk about it!

We will THEN be having a short discussion about officially finishing our constitution, also with Alex.

There are a lot of projects that need leaders so look for the email this week and sign up to get these off the ground (Earth Hour, “Fossil Fools” Day, a campus representative for Mobilize you, and more!)

We will be breaking into project groups: from Earth Week, to the new recycling building club, those listed above, and more! Get pumped!

Announcements:

EARTH WEEK facilitators meet on couches outside Brush Mountain A at 7:30.

Got art? (1) We are looking for some awesome EARTH WEEK graphics! bring doodles to the meeting. (2) and donations for our art auction EARTH WEEK fundraiser.

Registration is open for the Appalachian Food and Agriculture Summit! Sign up, just visit: www.afas2012.com

 Sign up for our Relay team - it is going to be awesome! go to www.vtrelay.org and click “sign up” register under “Sustainable Hokies” double check by making sure the team captain is Erica Largen – if so you’ve got the right team.

Sign this petition - Save the Stadium Woods.

Green is Sexy. Get involved with the calendar and contact Liza: liza7@vt.edu

Mountain Justice Spring Break! Kara has the info: karad3@vt.edu

Beyond Coal at VT meets Tuesdays 7-8PM Torgersen 1020. Come work with our coalition to transition from coal to clean energy at VT by 2025! Meet new friends, learn organizing skills, and make a positive difference in the community.

On the 22nd of March, Sustainable Blacksburg – cooperating with the Blacksburg Library — will host an evening with trees.  This event will occur in the Community Room of the Blacksburg Library.  This is intended to be a family event having the purpose of examining why humans need trees and what value they bring to our lives.  (The event is now shown on the SB Calendar.) At 6:30 PM, the doors will open so that folks can visit tables around the room holding demonstrations of the many ways in which trees are important to us. At 7:00 PM, Jeff Kirwan will present an illustrated talk on the “Remarkable Trees of Virginia“.  (Those who have heard Jeff speak on this subject before, say that the wanted to go home and hug every tree in their yard.) Following Jeff’s talk, there will be time to informally talk with him and yet another opportunity to view the displays and visit with the folks at the display tables. PLEASE MAKE A NOTE NOW ON YOUR CALENDAR, so that you can squeeze this informative event into your busy schedule during life’s “March madness”.  You are welcome to stop by when you can — and stay as long as you wish!

It’s a love filled meeting! 

Enviro News will be brought to you be Lida!

Imnani will be breaking the ice with Love. (13 minutes)

We will have a quick consensus refresher.

Then we will use consensus to decide on our Earth Week slogan and marketing plan. (18 minutes).

 Then Project Groups! (25 minutes)

Announcements:

1. Take the oaks and acorns survey to become an oak or acorn! https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1328146254394

2. Sign up for our Relay team - it is going to be awesome! go to www.vtrelay.org and click “sign up” register under “Sustainable Hokies” double check by making sure the team captain is Erica Largen – if so you’ve got the right team.

See you Tuesday,

The EC

On Tuesday at 8:00 in Squires Brush A – be at the Environmental Coalition meeting.

Lindsey Nolan is the facilitator.

Evan Worrell will be sharing this week’s environmental news.

Break the “questionable ice” with Erica.

Alex will be leading a discussion on synthetic meat production in labs.

Eric Blevins, from Mountain Justice Road Show will be speaking on mountain top removal!

Announcements:

Green is Sexy Photo Shoot This Friday or Saturday – Check our facebook page for details.

Sign up for our Relay team - it is going to be awesome! go to www.vtrelay.org and click “sign up” register under “Environmental Coalition” OR that might not be available - we are in process of changing our name to “Sustainable Hokies” - So pick what ever option is there. double check by making sure the team captain is Erica Largen – if so you’ve got the right team.

Art Auction, Thursday April 19 – Stay Tuned for more details.

See you Tuesday,

The EC

Get Excited!! Tuesday, January 24, 2012 from 8:00 – 9:00 pm in Squires Brush Mountain A is the first meeting of 2012. 

We have a semester packed with green initiatives to accomplish from earth week to renewable energy and we need your help!

Alex, Mr. President and Rial, Ms. Vice President will be facilitating

Enviro News, focusing on the Keysone XL pipeline will be brought to you by Justin!

Break the ICE with Lindsey!

Learn more about the EC and get the forecast for the semester before Kara Dodson leads a discussion and has short presentation on saving the stadium woods. 

Watch this sustainability animation and be in squires this Tuesday to help make it come true:

Cool Things and Announcements:

Robert Llewellyn in the HRC on January 31 7:00pm will be discussing the Stadium woods!

Join Lindsey with EC recruitment: poster making, tabeling and class raps – more info at the meeting

Alex has been working with students from Uzebekistan – you will learn more about this too!

Join the Environmental Coalition’s Relay for Life Team it’s $10 go to www.vtrelay.org! click on “sign up!” – it’s going to be a BLAST!

The Big Event is coming up!

Project groups are on the horizon – YOU can start your own – bring IDEAS for projects!

OAKS! – GET IN TOUGH WITH YOUR ACORNS. Invite them to meetings AND THE POTLUCK THIS Tuesday after the meeting!! 

Tuesday is our final meeting! We want you to relax just before exams begin. It’s true – fall semester is almost over.  Abby is bringing snacks.

Lauren will begin with enviro news!  

Lindsey has an icebreaker that will fill your mouth and tummy.

We will begin the meeting with a summary and discussion of the semester’s activities and casually discuss what improvements the EC could implement next year.

 For your (and our) mental relaxation we are bringing to you: THE LORAX.

See you Tuesday!

The EC