Environment

Presenter: Russel Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association ("TREIA").  

In the 2013 legislative session, solar energy won some important victories, due in part to the dedication and actions by many individuals. At one of our past meetings, a state legislator told us as few as five or six people contacting her could make a difference. 

At our special Nov.1 meeting, Russel will talk about the next legislation efforts we can expect from TREIA and others - and what we can do to help. 

Following the presentation, tour the Dallas Makerspace.

The debate will pit former DISH, Texas Mayor Calvin Tillman against "Fracknation" producer Phelim McAleer. Jacki Daily of KLIF will moderate.

The two debaters will square off over opposing claims about the safety and practicality of oil and gas production using hydraulic fracturing and will include an audience question and answer period. The debate is open to the public, but seating is limited to 160, so come early for a chair in the lecture hall.

Sponsored by FracDallas.

Mansfield Gas Well Awareness, a new group of Mansfield residents, is sponsoring what’s believed to be the first DFW presentation by a medical doctor on the health effects of fracking as part of a campaign to re-write the city’s six-year old drilling ordinance they say no longer reflects the best science, or provides enough public protection.

Dr. Anne Epstein, M.D. is an internal medicine specialist who graduated from Baylor Medical School and sits on the Lubbock County Board of Health. She’s a member of the Board’s Oil and Gas Advisory Committee that recently voted to recommend setbacks of 1,500 feet separating homes, workplaces, and schools from wells. Mansfield currently allows wells as close as 600 feet to residences, with post drilling development up to 100 feet.

READ Star-Telegram article.

Members, join WE for our annual Green Eggs and Holiday Ham Networking Breakfast. You will have an opportunity to share your story, product, business cards and passion for the environment with other like-minded women (and men).  Non-members are invited, too, but only members will be provided the opportunity to share their information. Join WE today at our "special" Individual Membership rate of $30, and you can share your story as well!

October Conference Call: The Eighth Billion, a film by Monty Hempel

Free Call In: (855) 212-0212, PIN: 172-909-013

This month, Monty Hempel will join us to talk about his most recent film, The Eighth Billion. The film examines the intersection of human population growth and the decline of wild places and creatures. It concentrates on the magnificent landscapes and seascapes that are being irreversibly altered by overpopulation and increasing per capita consumption rates.

Click here to watch free: http://vimeo.com/102369639

Utilizing the dynamic sustainability learning opportunities available to students on campus, Cedar Valley College is launching a living lab initiative on Oct. 22.

A living laboratory gives college students the hands-on work skills they need as part of the college education they receive in academic and technical programs.

The initiative will be officially presented at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 in the D Building at CVC, followed at 1 p.m. by a nationwide webcast titled “Empowering Change on Campus and in the Community” that will feature higher education sustainability leaders discussing ways in which students can make a difference, be a part of sustainability solutions and build careers with “green” jobs.

The CVC Living Lab Initiative will focus on four components:

•  Buildings – Students will partner with CVC Facilities to attain hands-on work skills as part of the curriculum, which includes monitoring electric meters in each college building to gather 

• Energy – Performance technology students and Facilities will partner in installing a ceramic sculpture with moving parts powered by solar energy. 

In The Spirit of John Muir, renowned actor Lee Stetson will showcase Muir's dedication to wilderness protection and search for adventure in Yosemite National Park and other wild places. Stetson portrays Muir every summer for thousands of people in Yosemite National Park's Theater, and he will be in Dallas for one night only. $10.

The October meeting is a "triple-header."

There will be a multi-media presentation by some of the homeowners who hosted visitors. There will be an overview of tours sites while they describe what they've done for energy efficiency and solar energy, and answer your questions.

Larry Howe of  Plano Solar Advocates will provide an update us of Texas Home Owner Association legislation and recent Metroplex "solar ordinance" activity.

After the meeting, NTREG will host a lunch.

Are humans causing global climate change?  What is the evidence?  What will happen to the planet?  Why do people disagree about it?  And what can be done about it?  

A lot of people either (1) deny that the planet is warming , often claiming that it is cooling, or (2) accept that the planet is warming but deny that humans are causing it. 

The Humanists of Fort Worth are hosting guest speaker Dr. Michael Slattery, who will explain the evidence for anthropogenic climate change. He has spoken on this topic to a wide range of audiences, including coal and chemical industry groups. He enjoys speaking to audiences who are skeptical, and he will entertain questions anyone has during his presentation.

Professor Slattery is the Chair of the Dept. of Environmental Science and Director of the Institute for Environmental Studies at TCU. He obtained his Ph.D. from Oxford in 1994. Among numerous other publications, he is the author of Contemporary Environmental Issues, which is now in its third edition.

The Texas Historic Tree Coalition will dedicate the Waco/Hueco Indian Village Live Oak Grove. This is part of Texas Archaeology Awareness Month, which features a variety of activities for those who love history. The trees are located in the back of the Helen Marie Taylor Museum of Waco History. Go south on Orman Street until you reach the red building. The grove can be seen on the left just before the building. If it rains, we'll meet in the Taylor Museum Auditorium.

Waco Tree Dedication Location

Parking is not available along Orman Street.  The First Baptist Church at 611 Jefferson Avenue has kindly offered the use of their parking lot. There is a walk from the lot to the grove.