September 14, 2005
Global Hot House Workshop, 7-9 October
Stopping Global Warming from the Ground Up: Igniting a Thousand Points of CLEAN Light.
REGISTER NOW! October 7th-9th, Flagstaff, AZ
The The Grand Canyon Trust , The Green House Network, and The Center for Sustainable Environments
invite Master Naturalists, Watershed Stewards, and concerned citizens to a weekend workshop to
build the movement to stop global warming.The workshop is designed to prepare participants in organizing and communicating clean energy solutions to stop global warming.
PLENARY PRESENTERS:
• Eban Goodstein, professor of economics at Lewis & Clark College and volunteer executive director, Green House Network
• Amanda Ormond, Arizona clean energy advocate and organizer of the Southwest Renewable Energy Conference
• Sandra Ely, New Mexico Environment & Energy Policy Coordinator
• Gary Paul Nabhan, Director, Center for Sustainable Environments
• Robert Gough, Intertribal Council on Utility Policy
• Roger Clark, Air & Energy Director, Grand Canyon Trust
THE CHALLENGE:
Global warming demands action now. Scientists are forecasting a warming of between 2 and 11 degrees F over the next century. During the last Ice Age the world averaged only 9 degrees cooler than it is today. We thus face the very real possibility of a swing in global temperatures of Ice-Age magnitude within the lifetimes of our children. It is no exaggeration to say that, unchecked, global warming will cause more human suffering and destroy more natural ecosystems than has any other industrial pollutant in our history.
Climate stabilization will require an extremely rapid transition toward a clean energy future-one based on solar, wind and biomass-generated power, and ultra low emission vehicles. It will take a powerful social movement to overcome political and corporate inertia and catalyze the clean energy revolution we need in order to avoid unimaginable change to human and natural systems. We need committed, skilled, persuasive climate communicators and advocates to make that movement a reality.
WORKSHOP FOCUS:
Participants should have an initial, broad familiarity with the global warming issue. The workshop will provide:
• The latest peer-reviewed scientific, political, and economic climate information,
• Help in developing a 90-second "elevator speech".
• Depending on the track chosen, assistance in the preparation of an effective 30-minute presentation;
• Information on how to set up meetings with political leaders;
• Sessions on electing pro-environment candidates, local organizing and funding strategies.
SPEAKING TRACK:
The Speaking track will help individuals develop a 90-second elevator speech and a 30-minute presentation on global warming. Following the weekend, participants will join the 300+ members of Green House Network's Volunteer National Speaker's Network. In the last three years, Network volunteers have delivered over 1200 talks across the country about the threat posed by global warming and the promise of clean energy solutions.
THE DEAL:
Each individual completing the Speaker track will commit to: giving at least 5 speeches on campuses, at faith or business groups or other community venues in their region over the course of winter-spring 2005-2006; and devoting 20 hours of time towards electing pro-environment candidates.
COMMUNITY ACTION TRACK:
The Community Action track seeks individuals committed to more comprehensive development of grassroots climate education and direct action in their community.
THE DEAL:
Each individual who completes the Community Action track will commit to: organizing a climate conference, a climate action or study group, a climate lobbying effort, media event, letter writing campaign, or similar action; and devoting time 20 hours of time towards electing clean energy candidates.
NOTE: Past participants have included artists, engineers, clergy members, retirees, nurses, architects, college professors, scientists, and graduate students. Graduates of former speaker training workshops are encouraged to participate in the Organizer sessions
LOGISTICS:
The workshop will be held at the Montezuma Lodge at Mormon Lake http://www.arizonamountainresort.com/, located 25 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. Shuttle assistance will be provided from the Flagstaff airport or other locations, if needed.
• The workshop opens at 4pm on Friday, October 7 and ends at noon on Sunday, October 9.
• Cost for the weekend including food, lodging, and materials is $188.
• A limited number of fellowships are available that will pay for half of the workshop’s expenses. Please submit a written statement that describes your interest in participating and your need for financial assistance.
The conference meals will feature locally grown foods provided in cooperation with the Canyon Country Fresh program: http://www.environment.nau.edu/ccf/index.htm and will offer vegetarian options.
Participants on the SPEAKING TRACK, please prepare a 30-minute presentation about global warming that you have designed to target a specific group in your community. During the workshop, you will have an opportunity to practice and fine tune your talk with smaller working groups.
Participants on the COMMUNITY ACTION TRACK, please come prepared to describe specific venues and actions that you have in mind for engaging your community in stopping global warming.
TO REGISTER, please write or email:
Adrianne Sanchez
Grand Canyon Trust
2601 N. Fort Valley Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
asanchez@grandcanyontrust.org
To complete your registration, please submit:
• A credit card charge or check for $188, payable to the Grand Canyon Trust.
• A one-two paragraph bio for inclusion in conference materials (and posting on the GHN Speakers website for those who wish to join, upon completing the workshop).
• A mailing address, phone number and e-mail address for follow-up correspondence.
QUESTIONS and ANY INTEREST IN A POST-WORKSHOP TOUR OR HIKE IN THE GRAND CANYON?
For general questions about the workshop, please call or email Roger Clark at (928) 774-7488 or rclark@grandcanyontrust.org. For anyone interested in extending your stay in the area, Roger is available to assist in planning and/or guiding your tour options from October 10-12.
RECOMMENDED READING:
If you haven’t read it, get a copy of Ross Gelbspan’s book: Boiling Point: How Politicians, Big Oil and Coal, Journalists, and Activists Have Fueled the Climate Crisis—And What We Can Do to Avert Disaster. 2004, Basic Books.
In it, Gelbspan commends the work of the Green House Network: “One small, shoestring organization based in Portland, Oregon has generated a huge amount of climate activity all over the country….The network has contributed to a remarkable proliferation of climate groups…informing and inspiring individuals, congregations, campus groups, and local organizations…to begin to take action on the climate crisis.”