Maybe we are. Don’t we actively challenge established doctrines, policies, and institutions?
Some of us might like to call ourselves the more positive-sounding “civil society advocates” — which seems to be a label popping up at the Summit of the Americas now going on in Panama. Being a “civil society advocate” is positively tame and a helluvalot less aggressive than being an “activist” or “agent of change” or than being an underground-sounding “agent of resistance”, let alone being a system-changing “revolutionary”.
What are we anyway as Earth Day 2015 is coming into view?
Energy and Climate – a Crucial Nexus Thursday – 4/9/15 – 7pm – @ Moravian College
Hear the Honorable Alice Madden, the Keynote Speaker for Earth Matters Month at Moravian College. Ms. Madden, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental & External Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy, will discuss the progress made at the state and local level to implement sound energy policies, the role emerging technologies can play in reducing GHG emissions, and the focus the Obama administration is taking in lieu of congressional action. As severe weather events increase, there is heightened focus on resilience that defies the political posturing associated with climate policies. Ms. Madden will also discuss how preparedness can help create a path forward to address climate change.
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Social Research Social Justice Conference
Friday – 4/10/15 – 8:45am-3:45pm – @ Muhlenberg College
The Social Research Social Justice Conference provides undergraduate students in the Lehigh Valley a forum for sharing innovative, excellent research addressing some of the most challenging issues of social justice in both contemporary and historical contexts. SRSJ began in 2003 as a collaboration between faculty and students in the Department of Media and Communication at Muhlenberg College, with the goal to create a forum outside of their classes to discuss issues of social justice in a democratic society. The Conference continues to foster collaborative exploration among students, faculty, and community members, to promote the role of academic research and creative work in the creation of more just and humane societies.
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Public Meeting on the Compressor Station Expansion
Saturday – 4/11/15 – 1-3pm – @ Forks Township Elementary School
Please join us to learn what you can do to Stop the Easton Compressor Station Expansion project (part of the proposed Marcellus Shale pipeline system) of Columbia Gas. Featured speakers are Pramilla Malick of Stop the Minisink Compressor from Minisink NY and Karen Feridun of Berks Gas Truth. Panel will also include Energy Justice Network & Clean Air Council representatives.
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The ACLU and the Supreme Court>Sunday – 4/12/15 – 9-10am – Unitarian Universalist Church of the LV
UUCLV Breakfast Forum. Ellen Bell will provide a short introduction to the topic followed by a DVD that runs about 28 minutes. This should leave ample time for a lively discussion.
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Rally Demanding Rep. Dent Oppose TPP & TTIP “Fast Track”Thursday – 4/16/15 – 12-2pm – Outside Charlie Dent’s office
The Obama Administration is pressing Congress to renew “Fast Track” Trade Promotion Authority for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The vote is expected in April. These agreements are massive documents that rewrite a broad array of domestic regulations, issue labor and environmental standards for partner countries, lift the ban on the export of energy to partners and give 38,000 foreign corporations the right to sue the federal government for unlimited taxpayer compensation in secret international tribunals on the grounds that some local, state or federal law threatens their expected future profit.
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See listings of
other sustainability events
on the
Calendar on the Alliance website
and on
Calendars from Other Organizations
Opportunity for Engagement
Byler Farm For Sale
Having built a 27-year reputation for pumpkin picking, apples and cider by operating an October Pumpkin Festival, establishing a clientele for school group tours & families (estimated 10,000 visits to the farm annually), Janet and Urbane Byler are retiring and have put their farm up for sale. Here’s an opportunity for small-scale agriculture, agri-tourism, and hands-on education for the surrounding community that is within 1/2 hour of major metropolitan areas including Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Lehighton, and Tamaqua.
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to make the changes in the Lehigh Valley you’d like to make.
Comments welcome!!! You can contact us at:
sustainabilitydoings@sustainlv.org
Martin Boksenbaum, sustainability doings editor