Syllabus
as of 6/29/11
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 Thursdays, 2:30-5:30pm.
Fieldtrips are usually on Saturday mornings.
September 22, 2011
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
Sue Blake, 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 29, 2011
Session 2 - “The Dirt on Dirt—mitigating climate change from the ground up”
Climate change impacts on Soils & Agriculture and Biochar
Dr. Craig Cogger, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, WSU Extension
• The Carbon cycle in soils
• Carbon sequestration in forests, agriculture and soils
• Ways we can adapt to and mitigate for climate changes through better gardening and landscaping techniquesHal Collins, Researcher, WSU, USDA
• Carbon sequestration in forests, agriculture and soils
• How biochar can be useful for sequestration
• Benefits and drawbacks of using biochar
Prior to session:
http://www.slideshare.net/dougoh/forest-carbon-climate-myths-presentation
http://www.css.cornell.edu/faculty/lehmann/research/biochar/biocharmain.html
https://wrdc.usu.edu/files/uploads/Rural%20Connections/RCJUN11w.pdf#page=53
October 6, 2011
Session 3 -“Let’s shop till we drop” (Not!)
The History of Consumerism
John De Graaf, Independent Producer• The rise of the “Age of consumerism” How we got to where we are today
• The connection between consumerism and climate change
• Consumerism’s impact on democracy
• Happiness as the antidote to consumerism
Resisting Consumerism—what we can do
Cecile Andrews, PhD, Educator• Voluntary Simplicity
• Take Back Your Time
• The Sharing Movement
• Slow is BeautifulPrior to the class:
LIVING SIMPLY - The new Simplicity
George Carlin: A Place For My Stuff
Reducing Work Time as a Path to Sustainability
October 13, 2011
Session 4 - "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
Sue Blake, 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
American Climate Attitudes
http://www.thesocialcapitalproject.org/The-Social-Capital-Project/pubs/acahttp://www.wwfblogs.org/climate/content/jared-diamond-climate-change-2011
October 20, 2011
Session 5 - "Should I buy a boat?"
2:30 PM--Announcements
2:40—Program: Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest
Sue Blake, Water Resource Educator, WSU Extension, UW and Sea Grant Washington
- Our resources and how we use them
- Climate change impacts on PNW resources and ecosystems and current challenges
- The connection between water and energy
- What we can do—sustainable landscaping and water retention
Break: 3:30
(The class includes learning exercises thorough out the afternoon)
Prior to session:
Dr. Alex Rogers, Scientific Director of IPSO and Professor of Conservation Biology at the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, gives the overview of the main problems affecting the ocean — and some suggested solutions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sup3XxHmBoo
Peruse or skim the following repports
State of the Watershed, 2010:
http://wria1project.whatcomcounty.org/uploads/PDF/Studies%20and%20Reports/2010-State-of-Watershed-WRIA1_Final.pdf
Climate Change and Water Resources—Climate Impacts Group U of W presentation/overview of impacts.
(Click on “Agenda”, then go down to 10:45: “Key Findings” check out either the audio file or PowerPoint.
http://cses.washington.edu/cig/outreach/waccia/index.html#AgendaAdaption Strategies
http://cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/wacciareport681.pdf (just Chapter 11)
October 27, 2011
Session 6 - "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
The Price of Gas
http://centerforinvestigativereporting.org/articles/the-price-of-gas-4865Taken For A Ride
50 minThis session will be hosted at the VRI technology and development area at WWU, which participants will tour.
November 3, 2011
Session 7 - "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 useChuck Ebert, Opportunity Council Programs
• How Whatcom County ensure equal access to energy and energy savings
• Challenges and issues in the county in relationship with energy issues
Prior to Session:
NW Energy CoalitionSmart Grid - "Enabler of the New Energy Economy"
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: 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
http://www.cse.org.uk/downloads/file/common_concerns_about_wind_power.pdf
November 10, 2011
Session 8 - "Planning for Resilience"
Ecological Urban Planning
Dr. William Rees, UBC, School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP)
http://www.scarp.ubc.ca/ Dr. Rees is the originator of ‘ecological footprint analysis.’
• “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
Prior to Session:
http://www.postcarbon.org/Reader/PCReader-Rees-Foundation.pdf“Toward a Sustainable World Economy” Dr. William Rees, April, 2011
“What’s Blocking Sustainability, Human Nature, Cognition and Denial,” Dr. William Rees, 2010
November 17, 2011
Session 9 - "Oranges in Watcom? How climate change will affect the food system."
Food Systems
Chris Benedict, Agricultural Agent, WSU Extension
• Sources of food related emissions along the food chain
• Transportation and food
Farming and Climate Change
Chad Kruger, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR)• Changes in pest, weeds and crop responses
• Organic vs. conventional agriculture
Prior to session:
Agriculture & food systemshttp://css.snre.umich.edu/css_doc/CSS00-04.pdf
and it’s companion
http://www.lcafood.dk/lca_conf/contrib/g_keoleian.pdf
http://bie.berkeley.edu/files/Pimentel.pdf
GREAT SITE for overall information
http://wrdc.usu.edu/files/uploads/Newsletter/RC_jun11/Austin_RCJUN11.pdf
December 1, 2011
Session 10 - "Beyond Waste"
Rodd Pemble, Sanitary Services
• Whatcom County waste stream
• GHG emissions that can be saved from proper waste management
• Opportunities for improvement for county recycling and waste management—what we can do
Prior to session:
Explore the Department of Ecology’s “Beyond Waste” website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/beyondwaste/bwprog_sixteen.html“The Story Of Stuff” http://www.storyofstuff.com
George Carlin: A Place For My Stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac
Saturday Fieldtrips
September 24, 2011
Anerobic Digester, 9am - 10am
Tour Vanderhaak Dairy anaerobic digester to witness the waste/energy cycle and promise of “closed loop” energy production. The tour guide is Steve VanderHaak.
Bioenergy and Bioproducts Fact Sheet (pdf)
http://wrdc.usu.edu/files/uploads/Newsletter/RC_jun11/Yorgeyetal_RCJUN11.pdf
Green Earth Technologies, 10:15am - 11:15am
See where your FoodPlus! goes. Witness large scale food recycling at Green Earth Technology. The tour guide is Stephanie Harvey.
October 1, 2011
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
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, including plans to lessen the ecological footprint through design &,concepts. The tour leader is Mike Hogan.
October 8, 2011
Resilient Communities—Infrastructure, 9am - Noon
(Meet at WSU Whatcom Extension Office)
We will discuss and explore issues related to our community ’s built environment, with a particular emphasis on lifeline infrastructure. We will link the concept of green building to broader concepts of low impact development and community disaster resilience, demonstrating that growth can’t be smart unless it’s safe.After a brief class session, will take a walk through our community, discussing the type,
location, and patterns of development and how these issues are linked to our community’s carbon footprint. We discuss how Bellingham can “build back better” – an idea well suited to neighborhood redevelopment, climate adaptation, or disaster recovery.Nick Hartrich, Green Building Program Manager at Sustainable Connections
http://www.sustainableconnections.org/about/staffScott Miles, Assistant Professor at WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment will facilitate the class session and field trip.
http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/miless2
November 5, 2011
Tour the Business Performance Center, 9am - Noon
Explore ways you can reduce your energy bill, and help your neighborhood reduce theirs.
Website: http://bpc.oppco.org/
NOTE: Additional fieldtrips to be scheduled later.
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
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