March 29 2012 Sustainability Symposium Invitation
Pax Educare
I hope to get to at least part of it. It is free, just register for lunch.
Circulate as you can. Thanks, Mary Lee
From: "Button, Charles E. (Geography)" <butt...@mail.ccsu.edu>
To: "Malley, James (Emeritus)" <mal...@mail.ccsu.edu>; "Jeff Greig"
<jeff....@ct.gov>; "Bill Upholt" <uph...@nso2.uchc.edu>; "Mary Lee
Morrison" <paxed...@comcast.net>; "Katy Perry"
<katy_...@missporters.org>; <wein...@mail.hartford.edu>; "Tom Swarr"
<swa...@comcast.net>; "Madelyn Colon" <madely...@ct.gov>; "Heidi
Golden" <ahgo...@comcast.net>; "Jane Zebrowski"
<zebrow...@sbcglobal.net>; "Kim Benton" <ben...@newhtfd.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 12:34 PM
Subject: March 29 2012 Sustainability Symposium Invitation
Dear Friends & Colleagues:
Would please share the following announcement with your contacts? Thanks,
Charles
________________________________
INVITATION TO CCSU SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUM: GLOBAL FOOD, FARMING &
SUSTAINABILITY
March 29, 2012
According to Dr. Charles Button, founder and faculty chair of the Global
Environmental Sustainability Action Coalition, more people are buying local
food, choosing foods produced under more sustainable conditions, and growing
more of their own food. Driving these changes are concerns about pollution
from petroleum-based pesticides and herbicides, honeybee colony collapse
disorder, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), human induced climate
destabilization, and an increase in the number of people living in poverty
throughout the United States and the World.
These issues are the focus of the Fifth Annual Global Environmental
Sustainability Symposium, with the theme of Global Food, Agriculture, and
Sustainability that will be held at Central Connecticut State University on
March 29, 2012. The symposium is free and open to the public. The goal is
to engage all segments of society in a discussion about issues related to
the production and consumption of food.
Young children and their teachers and parents will enjoy the interactive
puppet show �Fernando's Farm�, that helps kids understand the links between
the food they eat, its agricultural origin, and encourages accessing food
from local farmers.
Teenagers and college students will enjoy sessions like �Orange-cha glad you�re
not a Cheeto?�, being presented by Common Ground students, as they explore
the journey an apple
and a cheeto take before they reach our stomach and share the benefits of
eating healthy. Students may also want to partake in the discussion about
�Remaking the School Lunch�.
We will even provide a free lunch! But you�ll have to register in advance.
Our luncheon keynote, Emily Brooks, founder of Edibles Advocates Alliance
and author of How Marketing Influences Sustainable Decisions, Local author
and founder of Edibles Advocates will speak about how she nurtures social
entrepreneurs that support local agriculture, sustainable farming, and
sustainable food systems. Following lunch and her presentation, she will be
autographing her book for audience members.
People concerned about GMOs, should attend the panel discussion about the
organic farmers� lawsuit against Monsanto and GMO labeling efforts in
Connecticut. Panelistsinclude Bob Burns, Biointensive Farmer, Pat Bigelow,
Nutritionist and founder of the UConn Student Farm, and Bill Duesing,
Executive Director, Northeast Organic Farming Association, a plaintiff in
the lawsuit against Monsanto.
Throughout the course of the day, the movies FRESH! and Economics of
Happiness will be shown. Following the screening of Economics of Happiness,
audience members will have the chance to speak with the producer, Helena
Norberg-Hodge.
Beginning a 5:00 PM, there will be an Eco-Fair and social consisting of
research posters, vendor booths, an art exhibit, with the Jazz stylings of
MAJK Jazz playing in the background.
The symposium will conclude with a Town Hall meeting conducted by Dr. Daniel
Esty, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection. Commissioner Esty will have a discussion with audience members
about Connecticut policies and goals related to food and farming.
For a complete list of events taking place at the Sustainability Symposium,
go to GESAC�s website at: http://www.ccsu.edu/page.cfm?p=11065