All Categories - Sus unConf

Beyond a Footprint -- moving from reducing harm to doing good

4/21/2015

If footprinting has allowed us to quantify personal or corporate environmental damage, then handprinting finally provides a way to account for the good we do as well. Handprinting introduces to the environmental movement a framework that accounts for the effects of our positive actions, from planting trees to inspiring sustainability in others. A footprint is a burden, but your handprint is a call to action. And this call is an important one, pushing conversations from conservation in the face of daunting problems to how to build a truly regenerative society.

As a tool, handpriting allows companies to commit to being a net positive force for society, and to prove it. The Harvard School of Public Health's Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHGE) is hosting its annual SHINE Summit this June 4th-5th to bring together experts and industry leaders. Learn more at this years unConference, or online at http://www.chgeharvard.org/register-now

vote for going beyond fossil fuels with divestment

4/21/2015

Session proposed by Divest Invest Individual Campus and Green Century Capital Management:
What role do you – a building block in a social infrastructure of networks, groups, and institutions – play in the movement accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and equitable energy economy? Your personal investments can either fuel the coal, oil, and gas industries driving climate change, or fuel change. Individual investors influence broader investment trends, collectively move significant amounts of money, and build demand for more fossil free investment products. Begin planning to divest your holdings in the largest 200 fossil fuel companies, and map out your next reinvestment steps with Green Century Capital Management and the Divest Invest Individual Campaign.

vote to discuss energy deregulation

4/21/2015

Session proposed by Veridian Energy:
Energy deregulation has given MA residents, and other deregulated states the opportunity to choose their electricity supplier.
Invite your favorite charitable organization(s)! Some examples are volunteer and service organizations, private and religious schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, sports teams, parent associations, charities, foundations, our service members, and all other entities that can benefit from our RFP

vote to discuss technology exchange for intl development

4/21/2015

Session proposed by Water for Good, Seeding Labs, Empower Design:
Empower Design, Seeding Labs, and Water for Good propose to discuss how sustainable technology exchange can create long-lasting impact in the developing world. As countries develop, smart technology adoption is crucial for creating environmental sustainability, social justice, and organizational longevity. How does technology transfer impact local economies, environment, education, and quality of life? How do you build equal, collaborative partnerships? As discussion moderators, we can share experiences and lessons learned in countries ranging from Uganda, the Central African Republic, Argentina, and Kenya. What’s the international impact of the technology/innovations exhibited at this conference? We want to hear from you!

vote to discuss resilient eco-districts

4/21/2015

Session proposed by Linnean Solutions:
From Manhattan to LA, economic and human losses from climate-change fueled storms and droughts have mobilized billions of dollars in public financing to develop localized energy solutions and resilience. This session will investigate nationally-leading projects in Boston on EcoDistricts, resilience infrastructure, and CHP and microgrids. Federal agencies have similarly responded to these urgent issues, explicitly including CO2 emission values into all regulation decisions and future infrastructure investment. From a detailed perspective of Boston’s and federal agency efforts, we hope to foster a nationally critical discussion of climate change’s transformative impact on infrastructure, energy systems, and our wellbeing.

vote to join students connecting for a sustainable Boston

4/21/2015

Session Proposed by Students at the Boston Architectural College:
Join us in a discussion led by the Boston Architectural College Green Team in discussing ways to mobilize and connect student sustainability groups throughout the most collegially populated city in the country. Constantly students are reinventing the wheel to promote sustainability within their institutions when students all over the city are struggling with the same problems, while other students have already established solutions that can be applicable to other schools! Let's discuss ideas about communication between organizations and share success stories.

Vote on small businesses acting to solve climate change

4/21/2015

Session Proposed by CABA:
What can local small businesses do to become better advocates in the fight against climate change? Local small businesses tend to be the most rooted in their communities, and therefore have an important stake in their future health--which climate change puts at risk. Come learn from CABA what climate mitigation and adaptation strategies businesses are taking, including engaging in state, national, and international conversations about relevant policies, making sustainability efforts to reduce their energy and waste output, and building community relations to work towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

vote to discuss reducing food waste

4/21/2015

Session proposed by Boston University:
40% of the food we produce is thrown away, and consumers are responsible for half of this. This session could include the scale of the problem, policies and initiatives that are being implemented to address it both in the US and other countries, and potential solutions for the future.

Vote to discuss Cleantech innovation

4/21/2015

Session proposed by Cleantech Open Northeast:
In today's world "cleantech" has often become a term defined by business, technology, and a higher bottom line. As community members, professionals, students, and experts that want to solve some of the world's most pressing natural resource issues, how can we come together and steer this industry so that the solutions and projects started are the ones we and our world truly need?
During this session, Katie MacDonald, Executive Director of Cleantech Open Northeast will lead the group in a conversation about where cleantech has come in the last decade and where it can go if we collectively commit to steer discussion and be a part of the innovation landscape. The group will brainstorm ways our community and others can find a voice and partner with technologists, government, and communities to ensure sustainability impact in this sector.

Vote to discuss susty on City level

4/21/2015

Collaborative session proposed by Cities of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville:
Join the cities of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville in a conversation about current municipal-lead sustainability activities in our community, and brainstorm ideas for future action. This interactive session will be part presentation and part discussion on leading our communities towards taking sustainability action. Leah Bamberger of the City of Boston will talk about a new campaign to take climate action in support of their new Climate Action Plan; Oliver Sellers-Garcia will focus on Somerville Green Tech; and Jennifer Lawrence will talk about A Path to a Net Zero Cambridge.