Experts Provide Insights and Possible Solutions
Saturday, April 19
10:00-Noon
FREE EVENT PICNIC
This year’s event aims to raise public awareness on the issues of climate change and its potential local and global impacts. The event will begin with a 3-mile walk along a "projected" Monterey coastline in the event of a 1-3-meter rise in sea level. Along the way, climate change experts, including local professors and scientists, will provide insight on climate change issues, as well as possible solutions. Scheduled activities conclude with a FREE community picnic at Windows on the Bay, and include supervised chalk-art activities for children, families encouraged.
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Jeff Langholz, Monterey Institute of International Studies
Dr. Franklin Schwing, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sue Higgins, Deputy Director of the Cebrowski Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School
Bill Monning, California State Assembly candidate
NATIONAL COMPETITION: Rise: An Interactive Interpretation of Climate Change is one of 10 campaigns chosen to participate in a national "Climate Crews" competition sponsored by Americans for Informed Democracy and The People Speak. Visit http://www.thepeoplespeak.org/activities/climatecrews.html now for more information about the competition, and remember to visit again after May 1 to vote for your favorite campaign (this one, of course).
ROUTE: Meet in front of Fisherman’s Wharf along the waterfront in downtown Monterey, walk along waterfront and around Lake El Estero, ending at Windows on the Bay and include supervised chalk-art activities for children, families encouraged.
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VOLUNTEERS: We are always looking for extra assistance to keep the day running smoothly, such as volunteers to help with the children with chalk art activities, to help prepare and serve food, to provide support to our speakers, and to guide composting and recycling at the event, amongst other opportunities. To volunteer, please send an email to environmentaltaskforce@miis.edu.
Ximena Waissbluth
Tuesday, April 22 12:15-1:45
Morse B104
Earth friendly food provided
Ms. Waissbluth, 1992 Monterey Institute of International Studies a will discuss varous issues as related to marine debris, including: quantities & qualities of plastics found in the North Pacific Gyre, effects on sea life through ingestion and entanglement, health implications of toxic chemicals both absorbing into and leaching from plastics, petroleum based vs. bio-plastics (e.g. corn or potato based), solutions, hurdles and activism.
Keynote Speaker:
"Global Challenges to Forest Conservation"
NED DALY
Vice President of Operations
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
Guest Speaker:
"Putting the Squeeze on Carbon: Setting Targets, Unleashing Markets, Building Wedges"
JEFFREY GREENBLATT
Environmental Scientist for Climate and Air Program
Environmental Defense
Activities Included:
- Informational booths operated by local organizations and businesses
- Interactive computer stations to measure your eco-footprint
- Organic and vegetarian cuisine sampling stations
- Guides for "green" products and sustainable dining options in the area
- Free prize give-aways
- Live music
Sponsored by a generous donation from the Hayward Foundation
Earth Day 2006 was a great success! 25 community organizations and businesses participated in the event, including:
- Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA)
- Association of Environmental Professionals
- Cal-Am
- Central Avenue Bakery
- Fishwise
- Fort Ord Community Outreach/ US Army BRAC Cleanup
- Friends of the Sea Otter
- Green Heiress
- Green Party of Monterey County
- HOPE: Helping Our Peninsula's Environment
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Monterey Salinas Transit
- Peace and Justice Center and Peace Coalition
- Sierra Club
- Surfrider Foundation
- Sustainability Academy
- Sustainable Base Reuse Institute
- Sustainable Monterey County Beyond Peak Oil
- Trader Joe’s
- Watsonville Wetlands Watch
The idea of a global holiday called "Earth Day" was first introduced by John McConnell at a UNESCO Conference on the Environment in San Francisco in 1969. The first Earth Day proclamation was issued by San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto in March of 1970. Earth Day soon became a recognized holiday with the purpose of celebrating Earth's splendor and raising awareness on the need for preserving and reviving the threatened ecological balances upon which all life on Earth and its inhabitants depend. Since 1970, the idea of the Earth Day holiday has spread world-wide propelled by the support of U. N. Secretary General U Thant, Margaret Mead, and many others. The ringing of the United Nations Peace Bell at the moment of the March Equinox on Earth Day was eventually made into an annual tradition.
