The Sixth Community Solutions Conference:
Climate Crisis Solutions: Curtailment and Community Conference
November 7-9, 2014, Yellow Springs, Ohio

The Power of Individual Action: The world is at a difficult point, an existential one that calls for immediate action. This conference is a way of sharing our new understanding of what individuals must do to meet the issue of climate change on a personal level. Hear from people who are leading the way in personal CO2 emissions curtailment. Learn about budgeting personal energy use and emissions.

Keynotes:
Richard Heinberg, author of The Party’s Over and 11 other books
Mario Arrastía, Cuban author of The undefeatable god Sun and 5 other books
Jim Merkel, author of Radical Simplicity

“Our American Way of Life Must End — Each of Us Can Help Bring This About.”
Issue Background:
The 2014 International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report emphasizes the seriousness of the climate crisis facing us. Unfortunately, world and per capita greenhouse gas emissions have increased every year since the 2007 IPCC report. The U.S., with 4% of the world’s population, is responsible for almost 20% of the world’s annual CO2 emissions — about 17 metric tons per person. The UN SDNS initiative recommends that per capita annual emissions must be reduced to no more than 1.6 metric tons. How can we do that?

Since the 2007 IPCC report, the U.S. has focused on finding alternate sources of energy; and little has been done to reduce energy consumption. Wind and solar have grown at a rapid rate, but currently only provide about 4% of total U.S. energy demand. Other technologies, cellulosic ethanol, CO2 capture and storage, and the electric car, have fulfilled only a fraction of their expectations—far less than what we need for maintaining our way of life without runaway climate warming.

The chance of reaching a fair CO2 emissions budget for all using new technologies appears less likely every year. Our housing, transportation, and food are the largest sources of greenhouse gases in the U.S. (more than half the total). Clearly, lifestyle changes are required. A huge barrier to personal reduction is the difficulty of choosing between the myriad of options. A little known field called “life cycle assessment” provides the framework for selecting those actions that can make the greatest cuts.

At the conference you will:

Understand why curtailment is necessary.
Learn what Germany and Cuba are doing to reduce personal and societal CO2 emissions.
Interact with early leaders who are making significant cuts in their energy use.
Learn about a personal CO2 budget along with life cycle assessment tools.
Discuss alternatives – simple living, sharing, and sufficiency.

Please direct questions to info@communitysolution.org or call (937) 767-2161
See more event details here