After the class...
April 9, 2009
Session 1
2:00--Introductions and Welcome to Carbon Masters, Joyce Jimerson
• Housekeeping items
2:10--Craig MacConnell, Chair, Whatcom County WSU Extension
• Extend condolences from Pete Kremen
• Thank you to NW Clean Air for financial support
• Recognition of Western’s tremendous support
How to be a Volunteer in the Pilot Carbon Masters program
• WSU Extension Model and the land grant university system
• Policies and procedures relevant to their role as WSU volunteers
• Your important role as pathfinders of a new program
• Conducting impact evaluations
2:25--Sue Blake Civic Engagement activity, “group think” regarding:
• What is civic engagement,
• Projects envisioned (what would you like to see happen)
• Assistance and tools needed (how can we help)
• Wish to gain from Carbon MastersWhat are you doing, what have you done? (pdf)
Your Interests and Skills (pdf)
3:10--It’s melting, melting, melting… Climate Change 101 - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - April 9, 2009 - Andy Bunn from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.Presentation (pdf)
Dr. Andrew Bunn, Huxley College, Western Washington University
Participants will understand:
• 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 iiiiii
4:30—Wrap up
April 16, 2009
Session 2
Should I buy a boat? Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest
2:00 – 2:10 Joyce Jimerson
• Google Groups
• Fieldtrip carpools, biochar
• Food group
• Projects2:10 – 2:40: Laura Curley, Public Information Officer NW CleanAir Agency
(Funder of Carbon Masters™ Pilot),
“Take a Deep Breath—how we can secure our air quality”2:40 – 3:20--Sue Blake, Water Resource Faculty, Whatcom County WSU Extension and University of Washington Sea Grant - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - April 16, 2009 - Sue Blake from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.Presentation (pdf)
“Water, water everywhere, but will it be where we want?”
• Scientific certainty/uncertainty
• Local Pacific Northwest ecosystems connections
• Climate change impacts on Northwest resources & ecosystems3:25 – 4:30--Dr. Grace Wang, Huxley College of the Environment, Western Washington University - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - April 16, 2009 - Grace Wang from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.
Presentation (pdf)
“Carbon Footprints, Big Impacts: Measuring Sustainability”
• Discuss the Ecological Footprint Quiz
• Learn how to reduce your footprint
• Explore the carbon footprint of food
April 23, 2009
Session 3
What can WE do?? Civic Engagement
2:00—Joyce & Craig
• Google Groups
• Interest Groups
• Facilitator (John)
• Gail--potluck
• “Contest!”2:15--Dr. Grace Wang, “The Seven Indicators For Measuring Sustainability In The Cascadia Region” - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - April 23, 2009 - Grace Wang from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.
Presentation (pdf)
• What is a sustainable community
• Ways to measure sustainability3:00--Dr. Troy Abel : Huxley College of the Environment Western Washington Univerrsity - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - April 23, 2009 - Troy Abel from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.
Presentation (pdf)
Class Responses (pdf)
“What Makes Local Communities Proactive; Why Some Communities Leap Forward”
• How Carbon Masters™ can participate in the local political process
• How Local government is impacted by climate change
• Specific volunteer activities or projects
April 30, 2009
Session 4
2:00—Announcements—Joyce
• Fieldtrip
• Potluck
• Google Groups
• Interest GroupsWatt About Energy—Oil You Need to Know (part 1)
2:10--Alex Ramel, Policy and Energy Manager, Sustainable Connections: - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - April 30, 2009 - Alex Ramel from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.
Presentation (pdf)
Energy Options and Opportunities in Bellingham and Whatcom County
• energy programs & opportunities offered in Whatcom County
• practical ways to reduce energy use,
• who can, & how to access helpful programs to reduce energy3:00--Dana Brandt, EcoTech, Renewables - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - April 30, 2009 - Dana Brandt from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.
Presentation (pdf)
Local Perspectives on Solar and Wind Alternatives
• Intro to alternative energy
• pros and cons of solar and wind alternatives to fossil fuels
• solar and wind opportunities in Whatcom County—what’s happening3:50—Introduction, discussion and distribute tools to use for:
• measuring energy use (Kill-O-Watt)
• ambient thermometers
• demo of the thermal imaging camera (Larry Kimmett)
May 7, 2009
Session 5
2:00—Announcements—Joyce
• Mini Fieldtrip “Waste to Energy”
• Potluck--Gail
• Interest Groups—Water, Sue
• Redistribute Kill-O-Watts, etcWatt About Energy—Oil You Need to Know (part 2)
2:10—Craig MacConnell, Chair, WSU Whatcom County Extension
Presentation (pdf)
A look @ Energy Data—(and Now Something Different—Biofuels)
• Use of Energy
• Efficiency of Energy
• Energy’s contribution to climate change3:00—Rep. Jeff Morris, CEO of Energy Horizon LLC - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - May 7, 2009 - Rep. Jeff Morris from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.
Presentation (pdf)
Energy Mixology
• Progressive Energy Policy
• Integrative Resource Planning
• Regional Issues3:50—The Swedish Model—Craig MacConnell’s experience (if time…)
May 14, 2009
Session 6
But How Do I Get There From Here?—Transportation
2:00—Announcements—Joyce
2:10—Eric Leonhardt, Director Vehicle Research Institute, Western Washington University - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - May 14, 2009 - Eric Leonhardt from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.
Presentation (pdf)
Transportation Overview
• How transportation emissions/industry/infrastructure contributes to climate change
• Impacts of climate change on transportation infrastructure
• Innovative VRI projects which address transportation needs and climate change2:50—Tour of VRI
3:30-- Maureen McCarthy, Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) community outreach and marketing manager, Susan Horst, Community Transportation Program Manager
Presentation (pdf)
Local transportation options, including training on
• Reaching the community, our approach and how you can help
• Local alternative transportation and how to reduce emissions
• Listening to needs and finding transportation solutions
May 21, 2009
Session 7
Farming Food and Climate Change
1:00—Announcements
• Projects
• Thermal Imaging Camera
• End of classes—now what?1:10--Chad Kruger, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) - (Direct-Link)
Carbon Masters - May 21, 2009 - Chad Kruger from WSU Whatcom on Vimeo.
Presentation (pdf)
• sources of food related emissions along the food chain
• transportation and food
• Organic vs. conventional agriculture3:30--Greener Gardens - Softer Footprints
Diane Rapoza, WSU Whatcom County Master Gardener & Jill Cotton, WSU Whatcom County Master Gardener Coordinator
• carbon sequestration in forests, agriculture and soils
• how composting renews the soil and saves the earth
• reducing emissions through yard equipment choices
• how proper landscaping can reduce emissions
May 28, 2009
Session 8
Lets Get Cozy—Green Building (Class and Fieldtrip)
2:00 – Housekeeping items
• Projects
• Animoto Contest
• June 25 class
• What’s next?2:10--Rose Lathrop, LEED AP, Project Manager for Aiki Homes, and Kristina Daheim, Built Green® Program Director
• how can adding another structure, another rooftop, or tearing out and replacing everything in a home be ‘green.
• residential checklists created for and by the Built Green® program
• education opportunities and certifications for builders and trades
• understand green design and building concepts by taking a walking tour of Green building projects in Bellingham.
2:10-2:45 go over green building basics – green building 101
2:50-3:05 walk over to WECU via Market Depot Square
3:05-3:30 Tour WECU
3:45-4:15 Tour Pickford
4:15-4:30 walk back to WSU Extension
June 4, 2009
Session 9
2:00—Housekeeping items
• Animoto contest
• June 25 class
• Themed potluck? (greening your house, inspection & thermal camera)2:10- Need a job?--Economics, Clean Economy & Green Jobs, Dr. Alan Hardcastle, Research Associate, WSU Energy Extension , Olympia, WA
Presentation (pdf)
• new “greening” economy, industry and green jobs
• green economy sectors in WA
• potential economic changes with a new carbon economy3:10—Group Discuss Projects (if time)
3:30--Do I REALLY need that?—Consumerism, Rodd Pemble, Speaking about recycling, reusing, garbology
• 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
Saturday AM Fieldtrips
Organic Recycling/Carbon Sequestration
April 18
9:00
View biochar (carbon sequestration) trials at Fourth Corner Nursery with discussion of soil carbon sequestration, Dr. Richard Haard, tour leader
http://fourthcornernurseries.com/Article16.asp10:30
Witness large scale food recycling at Green Earth Technology, Stephanie Harvey, tour guide
http://www.greenearthtechnology.com/
Zero Waste Corporation Recycling and Reusing
May 2
8:30
Disposal of Toxics, Alyce Cords, tour guide http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/solidwaste/construction/toxics.jsp9:30
Tour the Re-Store with Jason Darling, intro to the ReSources Sustainability Center and the “Be Cool” campaign with Katie Fleming.
http://www.re-store.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=66
http://www.re-store.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=11211:00
Tour Ryzex Corp, which originated as a Zero Waste company. We will learn about systems issues, and discuss their transformation from a closed system to outsourcing waste, Brandon Provalenko, tour leader
http://www.ryzex.com/about-ryzex.aspx
Waste to Energy, and Waste Disposal
Sat. May 16
9:00
Tour Vanderhaak Dairy anaerobic digester to witness the waste/energy cycle and promise of “closed loop” energy production, Steve VanderHaak, tour guide
http://www.andgar.com/specialty-general-contracting-digester-projects-completed-vander-haak-dairy.php10:30
Tour the City of Bellingham Post Point Wastewater Treatment Facility, Peg, Wending, tour guide
http://www.cob.org/services/utilities/waste-water-treatment.aspx
Resilient Communities—Infrastructure
Sat. May 30
9:00
Look at the community and environment from a “systems” approach. View 2 sites, 1, the Lummi Levee weighing the carbon pros and cons of fixing or dismantling, 2. the Clean Green Transfer station, weighing the carbon pros and cons of individual cars vs. curbside pickup. Dr. Scott Miles,: Huxley School of the Environment, Western Washington University11:00
Neighborhood tour where we can explore sustainable features and barriers, led by Nick Hartrich, Sustainable Connections
Water Recycling and catchment
(Maybe)
Tour water recycling and water catchment landscapes, such as low impact paving and rain gardens and talk with experts
Green Building Examples
TBA
Tour various homes, both new and retrofit, that apply green building techniques.
Carbon Masters
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!
Carbon Masters
Training focus includes climate change science, community infrastructure, natural resources, green economy, transportation, social justice, energy, and civic engagement.