Syllabus
NOTE: This is last year's syllabus. The upcoming class's syllabus will be posted in July.
as of 9/1/10
This program integrates home study, class discussion, workshops and teleconferences with experts to provide hands on tools to adapt and help lessen the effects of climate change. Program also includes fieldtrips to view innovative ways our local community is addressing climate change.
Class sessions on Tuesdays, 2-5pm.
Fieldtrips are on Saturday mornings.
September 21, 2010
Session 1 - Intro and "It’s melting, melting, melting… Climate Change 101"
Introduction to Carbon Masters
- WSU Extension Model and the land grant university system
- Policy and procedures relevant to their role as WSU volunteers
- Their important role as pathfinders and their role in our research effortsWelcome Pete Kremen, Whatcom County Executive
Drew Betz, WSU Whatcom County Extension
"Climate Change 101"
Dr. Andrew Bunn, Huxley College, Western Washington University
• the natural carbon life-cycle and understanding carbon pools
• greenhouse effect and sources of green house gas (GHG)
• complexity and interrelatedness of climate change
• human fingerprints on GHG
• climate change and impacts on earth’s systems
• the concept of the commons and how it relates to the global atmospheric commons
Prior to session:
Gilbert’s Why Humans can’t get Climate Change
(and why we’re great at Ducking Baseballs) 15 min.
Simple explanation of weather vs. climate
Dr. James Powell’s 15 min. video “Global Warming, Is it True?”
September 28, 2010
Session 2 - "What can WE do??"
"What can WE do?? Civic Engagement"
Dr. Troy Abel, Huxley College of the Environment - Western Washington University• Proactive Local Communities
• How Carbon Masters™ can participate in the local political process
• How Local government is impacted by climate change
Cathy Taggett, 2009 Carbon Master™ & Ron Snyder, Facilitator
• Envisioning a resilient community - What is your picture?
• Brainstorming positive changes that will help mitigate and adapt to climate change
• Volunteer activities and projects
Prior to session:
Browse International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)
“The Power of Community” 1 hour about transitioning to a sustainable community
Information from the Union of Concerned Scientists regarding civic engagement
October 5, 2010
Session 3 - "But how do I get there from here?"
Transportation - Overview
Eric Leonhardt, Director, Vehicle Research Institute - WWU
• How transportation emissions/industry/infrastructure contributes to climate change
• Impacts of climate change on transportation infrastructure
• Current Vehicle Research Institute projects
Transportation - Whatcom County issues
Susan Horst, Community Transportation Program Manager, Council of Governments
Maureen McCarthy, Community Outreach and Marketing Manager, WTA
• Local alternative transportation and how to reduce emissions
• How to listen to transportation problems, and help find solutions
• Reaching the community, our approach and how you can help
Prior to session:
Explore the SMARTRIPS websiteEvaluating Public Transportation Health Benefits
Taken For A Ride
50 minThis session will be hosted at the VRI technology and development area at WWU, which participants will tour.
October 12, 2010
Session 4 - "Watt about energy?"
The History of Energy in the Pacific Northwest
Nancy Hirsh, Policy Director, NW Energy Coalition
• The Big Picture: Energy
• Distribution system
• How we use
• What we use
Smart Grid
Anjan Bose, Regents Professor, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) - Washington State University
• Smart Grid Basics and the homeowner
• Experience with Avista and demonstration WSU micro-grid project
• The smart grid and climate change issues
• Encouraging utilities to embrace smart grid technologies
Prior to Session:
NW Energy Coalition
Smart Grid
Efficiency Works!
Smart Grid - "Enabler of the New Energy Economy"
October 19, 2010
Session 5 - "Who said life is fair?"
Roger Valdez, Sightline Institute
• People and nations least to blame for causing climate change are most vulnerable
• Opportunities we have to reverse the unfair effects on certain populations
• Populations in Whatcom County most affected, and how the community can helpChuck Ebert, Opportunity Council
• How Whatcom County is helping solve the energy disparity
• Energy Programs and policies in place to address all residents
• Smart Meters (How smart are they?)Prior to Session:
Climate Fairness
October 26, 2010
Session 6 - "Should I buy a boat?"
Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest
Sue Blake, Water Resource Educator, WSU Extension, UW and Sea Grant Washington
• Scientific certainty/uncertainty
• Local Pacific Northwest ecosystems connections
• Climate change impacts on PNW resources and ecosystems
• What sea level rise will mean to us
• What do we do about it
November 2, 2010
Session 7 - "What size shoe do we wear?"
Ecological Urban Planning
Cornelia Sussman, PhD Candidate, School of Community and Regional Planning, UBC
Jennie Moore, PhD Candidate, School of Community and Regional Planning, UBC
http://www.scarp.ubc.ca/
• “Ecological Footprint” vs. “Carbon Footprint”
• How cities can develop more sustainable humankind-ecosystems relationships
• Barriers that current policies and practices may impose
• Innovative ideas that Vancouver, Canada has been able to put in motion
November 9, 2010
Session 8 - "The dirt on dirt and food"
Soils, Agriculture and Biochar
Hal Collins, Researcher, WSU, USDA
• Carbon sequestration in forests, agriculture and soils
• How biochar can be useful for sequestration
• Benefits and drawbacks of using biochar
Food Systems
Craig Cogger, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, WSU Extension
• Sources of food related emissions along the food chain
• Transportation and food
• Organic vs. conventional agriculture
Prior to session:
Agriculture & food systems
http://css.snre.umich.edu/css_doc/CSS00-04.pdf
and it’s companion
http://www.lcafood.dk/lca_conf/contrib/g_keoleian.pdf
November 16, 2010
Session 9 - "Energy to waste"
Energy Overall
Craig MacConnell, WSU Whatcom County Extension (Professor Emeritus)
• Use of Energy
• Efficiency of Energy
• Energy’s contribution to climate change
Waste to Energy
Tyler Abrams, BBA, Nexterra
• Usage of waste to meet energy needs
• Potential for Pacific Northwest
• Innovative ideas and recent developments
Tom Anderson, 2009 Carbon Master™, Discussion Facilitator
Prior to session:
EERE: Energy Savers Tips Home Page – download the publication. Very comprehensive and useful. I expect that the content will answer most home owner questions (at least on the entry level)
The Home Energy Saver – great home energy calculator which can be adjusted to our climate.Energized Learning – uses the Home Energy Saver in a learning exercise.
EERE: EERE Information Center – “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) Information Center answers questions about EERE's products, services, and technology programs”
EERE: Energy Savers Home Page – the title says it – saving energy in the home.
Building America: Related Links for Homeowners – if you want more – this is the place
US Building Best Practices - Maritime locations – Great relevant information for our region
November 23, 2010
Session 10 - "Beyond waste"
Consumerism
Rodd Pemble, Sanitary Services Company
• Whatcom County waste stream
• Impacts that consumerism has on climate change and on human societies
• Opportunities for improvement for county recycling and waste management—what we can do
Living in Denmark—The Ease of Sustainability
Craig MacConnell, WSU Whatcom County Extension (Professor Emeritus)
Explore how one country makes it desirable and easy to live more sustainably
How can we create a more sustainable community
Mary Jensen, 2009 Carbon Master™, Discussion Facilitator
Prior to session:
“The Story Of Stuff” http://www.storyofstuff.comGeorge Carlin: A Place For My Stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac
Explore the Department of Ecology’s “Beyond Waste” website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/beyondwaste/bwprog_sixteen.html
Copenhagen (7 min. video): http://vimeo.com/13826541
Chose one Carbon intensive activity and stop using/doing for a week before the class.
Ideas include:
- Don’t use your car,
- Electricity/natural gas
- no electric lights
- Stop using your oven/stove (no cheating and going out to eat!
- padlock your refridgerator
- Use no hot water
- Become vegetarian
- Stop creating landfill garbageKeep track of what happens—what alternatives you find, how did you react
to the experiment? your housemates/friends?
Saturday Fieldtrips
October 2, 2010
Disposal of Toxics, 8:30am - 9:30am
Find out how to disposal of old paint, pesticides, oil, compact florescents and more, and where it all ends up. Alyce Cords will be the tour guide.
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/solidwaste/construction/toxics.jsp
Anerobic Digester, 10am - 11am
Tour Vanderhaak Dairy anaerobic digester to witness the waste/energy cycle and promise of “closed loop” energy production. The tour guide is Steve VanderHaak.
Green Earth Technologies, 11:30am - 12:30pm
See where your FoodPlus! goes. Witness large scale food recycling at Green Earth Technology. The tour guide is Stephanie Harvey.
October 16, 2010
Built Green Expo! 9am - 5pm
Carbon Masters will want to go to some or all of the Expo and learn from the experts. There will be sessions on many aspects of green building and green homes. It is located in the Ferry Terminal.
http://www.builtgreenwhatcom.org/news/2010/07/26/green-living-home-expo-and-bus-tour-2010
2009 Carbon Masters Tom Anderson & Shenandoah Myrick will be presenting a session on Carbon Footprint and your home.
October 23, 2010
Tour of the Old GP Site, 10am - Noon
Tour of the old GP site, and what is in the works for the Port of Bellingham. The tour leader is Mike Hogan.
http://www.portofbellingham.com/content/ArchivesItem_147_1656_v
November 6 or 13, 2010
Green Home Tour, 9am - Noon
Tour green homes in the area. The tour leader is Rose Lathrop.
Secondary content using h2 tag. Column 2
Why Carbon Masters™? The climate in Washington State is changing as the planet is warming. Scientists have documented that increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere surrounding earth are raising global temperatures. Washington State is especially vulnerable - our landscape, agriculture, and natural resources. Washington State University Extension, in partnership with University of Washington, is developing the Carbon Masters™ program to train, equip and manage a core group of volunteers on climate change issues. Training focus includes climate change science, community infrastructure, natural resources, green economy, transportation, social justice, energy, and civic engagement. Everyone will be affected by climate change. Together, we can do something to help!
Heading using the h3tag
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.