Meetings

The Water & Salmon Committee invites you to a free screening of A Sea Change on

Tuesday, November 10, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Chapter office, 180 Nickerson St., Suite 202, Seattle
This film documents how the pH balance of the oceans has changed dramatically since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution:  a 30% increase in acidification.  With near unanimity, scientists now agree that the burning of fossil fuels is fundamentally reshaping ocean chemistry.  Experts predict that over the next century, steady increases in carbon dioxide emissions and the continued rise in the acidity of the oceans will cause most of the world’s fisheries to experience a total bottom-up collapse.  This recent film, an official selection for several international film festivals, focuses public attention on ocean acidification. 

It follows retired educator and concerned grandfather, Sven Huseby, back to stunning ancestral sites (Norway, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest) where he finds cutting-edge ocean research underway.  The film aims not only to educate viewers about the science of our rapidly-changing oceans, but also to engage them on accessible terms.  It offers positive examples of new technologies and effective changes in human behavior that we all must choose before the oceans are lost.

This film is appropriate for school-age children.   Light refreshments will be served.  Please join us!  Contact:  Elaine Packard, espackard@msn.com. 

A New Global Future 
Alex Steffen from worldchanging.org and introduced by TBA
Nine billion people on a straining planet is a recipe either for catastrophe or transformation. Which future we get - tragic disaster or sustainable prosperity - will depend largely on the choices we here in the developed world make. What is possible for billions of people rising out of poverty will be determined largely by the shape of the economy we create in places like Seattle. How do we understand what a bright green future looks like and how do we propel our region toward it? This first night will explore the breakthroughs in renewable energy, green building, clean technology, smart infrastructure and sustainable design that can enable the Pacific Northwest to not only help lead the planet away from catastrophe, but to become an economic power house.

Great Hall at Town Hall Seattle (townhallseattle.org), and start 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7:00 p.m.). Each talk is 90 minutes, no intermission. Presented by Town Hall’s Center for Civic Life. Tickets are $5.00 and the event is expected to sell out.

Purchase tickets at:
November 11: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85709

Lester Brown is president of Earth Policy Institute, and organization dedicated to building a sustainable future.

His new book is 'Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization' He will be speaking on November 12th from 7-9pm at the University of Washington, Kane Hall, Room 130.This is a free event and there will be a book signing following the speech.

Seattle's Bright Green Moment
November 12 - Alex Steffen from worldchanging.com, introduced by Mike McGinn
Cities are the engines of a bright green economy. A new urban way of life is emerging that is not only ecologically frugal, but wealthier, healthier, and more enjoyable. At the same time, smart cities are becoming the hothouses of sustainable innovation, growing the designs, technologies, policies, and start up companies that will thrive in the new global economy. Learn how leading urban regions like London, Copenhagen, Melbourne and Seoul are scrambling to rebuild themselves on bright green lines in order to lead in the economy of tomorrow. Join the conversation on how we can use cutting edge practices such as innovation networks, metropolitan coalitions, and government 2.0 to break through the logjams blocking our region's progress to build a more vital, sustainable and prosperous home.
Great Hall at Town Hall Seattle (townhallseattle.org), and start 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7:00 p.m.). Talk is 90 minutes, no intermission. Presented by Town Hall’s Center for Civic Life. Tickets are $5.00 and the event is expected to sell out. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85713