Deadline & Details - 2013 Local Future Conference - Energy Economy Environment - Michigan's Future

[Aaron Wissner]

Planning moves ever quicker forward for the 2013 Local Future conference.  This year, the theme is Energy - Economy - Environment, with the focus being the future of Michigan.

The speaker line up this year is, again, an outstanding one with a number of brand new speakers coming in from around Michigan, the USA, Canada, and farther "afield".  Rather than detail every one, I'll "tease" three of the new speakers to the conference:

* David Hughes from Canada is an expert on hydrocarbon deposits and depletion rates.  He does an incredible job of demonstrating that "running out" is not the issue; it is PRICE that is the issue, and that price is closely related to the rate of extraction (and consumption).  If (any when) the extraction rate decreases, this can have huge (disproportionate perhaps) impacts on prices, and these rate changes are much closer in time then is mentioned in the media.

* William Catton from Washington has written and lectured extensively on the role of energy in civilization.  He takes the long, big picture view, to put it all into context, from the dawn of the mastery of fire to the fossil fuel age, and beyond.  For a speaker to really get people to take a step back, and consider the entirety of it all, he is a champion.  

* Charles Hall from New York examines the relationship between civilization's use of energy and the functioning of the global economy.  As a ecologist, he points out importance of the flows of energy, and the flows of money/economics; as well as the stocks of energy (hydrocarbon deposits) and the stocks of money/economics.  His insights are eye opening and critical to understanding how things actually work.

I invite you to take a look at all of the speakers and their biographies.

http://www.futuremichigan.org/speakers

In addition, the three largest electric utility companies in Michigan are on board for the conference, and are bringing experts to discuss renewable energy.  This makes the conference an outstanding opportunity to talk directly with these energy leaders and discuss issues of economy and environment; since all these ideas are related.

Early bird registration deadline for the conference is this Monday, September 30, so if you need or desire the lowest rate possible, please do register ASAP so you don't miss out on the early bird deal.  That would save your $100 over the regular rate.  Given the speakers that are being brought in (again reference the list), this is an incredible deal, well less than the cost of the conference itself, so if you are thinking or planning of registering, this is the best time.

http://www.futuremichigan.org/registration

I hope to see you there!

Best,

Aaron

Aaron Wissner, Teacher

http://aaronwissner.com

President, Local Future, a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization

http://localfuture.org

Director, Conference on Michigan's Future: Energy - Economy - Environment

http://futuremichigan.org