tagged with: Back Porch Initiatives
August 17, 2009
coal mining in Appalachia @ GlobeHopper
From the folks with Back Porch Initiatives:
Today, August 17th, we will discuss Coal Mining in Appalachia and the activist movements surrounding it. Mountain Top Removal–a process through which coal is extracted from mountains using explosives rather than mining and extracting–in Appalachia has become a hot-button issue among mining corporations, governments, power companies, envrionmental and citizens’ rights groups, and Appalachian citizens. Today we will discuss the environmental impacts of Mountain Top Removal and coal-fired power, and the strategies groups are using to combat them.
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July 13, 2009
think global, act local @ GlobeHopper
From the folks with Back Porch Initiatives:
Today, July 13th, we will focus on climate change commitments addressed by world leaders at the 2009 G-8 Summit and national leaders in the federal cilmate change legislation. As we overview the specifics and implications of these current events, we will also take a look at the way that environmental communities are responding–from the major American environmental organizations like Sierra Club and Greenpeace to small grassroots movements across the country. Are the stipulations made by these leaders enough to curb climate change? If not, what can we do to keep pressing them to take the necessary steps?
June 29, 2009
Cane Toads: An Unnatural History @ GlobeHopper Tonight
From the Back Porch folks:
Today, June 29th, we will view the documentary, “Cane Toads: An Unnatural History” and discuss the dangerous problems that can arise with the introduction of invasive species.
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June 8, 2009
Back Porch Tonight
Today, June 8th, Back Porch Initiatives will be discussing the ground they’ve covered during Green Mondays over the past year and brainstorming where to go next.
Since we began our weekly discussions at globehopper over a year ago, we’ve covered topics from local foods to smart growth to voting rights to the river. Please join us this evening to discuss the topics, discussions, documentaries, and speakers you’ve found to be most engaging, and decide which direction to go next. Which social topics are you most interested in learning more about? Do you want more workshops? More documentaries? More speakers? More politics? More d.i.y. cleaning supplies? Feel free to respond via email as well to join in on the conversation!
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May 11, 2009
filming the environment @ Globe Hopper
Tonight, Jenna Clarke, organizer of Richmond’s environmental film festival “The Biggest Picture,” will overview a few of the films at this weekend’s festival and how they and others have affected environmental activism. In 2006, former Vice President Al Gore released the film An Inconvenient Truth, which amounted to a call to action on the threat of global warming. Although Al Gore’s is the most notable example, films about environmentalism have been sparking national interest in public policy and community action well before and decidedly after its release.
Join the Back Porch Initiative to talk about the role that film has played in both educating mass audiences and shaping the ways that we act on these issues.
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April 20, 2009
you are what you eat
Tonight’s Back Porch Discussion at GlobeHopper features Tim Adkins (co-founder of Richmond-based Backyard Farmer) and Kate Ruby (developed of an urban agriculture program in Church Hill). They will talk about opportunities for local food projects in Richmond.
Founded in 2008, Backyard Farmer is a local business that works with individuals in Richmond to design and plant gardens or small farms in their backyards. Kate Ruby is working on an upstart program in Church Hill to leverage the yard and vacant plot space for growing food and creating green jobs.
April 4, 2009
Chesapeake Climate Action Network @ GlobeHopper Monday
This Monday, April 6th, Hilary Lufkin, a community organizer and educator for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) will be joining us in a discussion about the new coal plant proposed in Surry, VA. Ms. Lufkin will outline issues surrounding the coal plant, including its effects on the surrounding communities and ecosystems, its projected effects on Virginia’s economy, and the approval process it will need to pass before construction begins.
March 23, 2009
Back Porch tonight @ GlobeHopper
Today, Monday 3/23, Michael Pirron, CEO of Richmond-based Impactmakers will join us in a discussion about corporate social responsibility and a new funding model for non-profits. Founded in October 2006 as the nation’s first “competitive social venture,” Impactmakers is an information technology and consulting firm that donates all of its profits to charitable community partners in the Richmond area. Mr. Pirron will outline a new model for doing business and doing community service that has proven successful for Impactmakers and others like it.
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February 1, 2009
Back Porch @ GlobeHopper at a new time tomorrow
This week we will have Green Corps Class of ‘09 and Think Outside the Bottle Organizer Pete Williams as our special guest speaker. We will investigate water issues from the perspective of water as a human right. Join us to discuss issues surrounding water privatization vs. public ownership of water. Gathering begins at a new time 5:30pm, multi-media discussion begins promptly at 6:00pm.
The Think Outside the Bottle Campaign is new to Richmond and is working to challenge the corporate take over of water. You are invited to stay for a planning meeting after Green Mondays from 7-8pm.
January 26, 2009
Back Porch @ GlobeHopper: OilCrash
This Monday, January 26th, join us in watching OilCrash, the story of
how our civilization’s addiction to oil puts it on a collision course
with geology. Produced and directed by award-winning European
journalists and filmmakers Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack, OilCrash is
compelling, intelligent, and highly entertaining. The film visits
with the world’s top experts and comes to a startling, but logical
conclusion – our industrial society, built on cheap and readily
available oil, must be completely re-imagined and overhauled.
January 12, 2009
Back Porch @ GlobeHopper: green design and smart growth
From the folks at the Back Porch Energy Initiative, about tonight’s discussion:
Green-minded architect and designer William McDonough poses the question of what our buildings and products would look like if designers took into account “all children, all species, for all time.” Join us as we watch clips from McDonough’s lectures and explore the concepts of green design and smart growth.
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January 4, 2009
Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-energize America @ GlobeHopper
The folks at the Back Porch Energy Initiative will be kicking off the new year tomorrow night:
This Monday, January 5 we will be watching clips from the award-winning film Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America. Filmaker Jeff Barrie offers tangible solutions to one of America’s most pressing environmental challenges: energy. In light of the New Year, Back Porch wants to start the new year off on a positive note and discuss how to move forward in ‘09 towards a more sustainable Richmond. Join us as we learn from the film and each other about how one person can really make a difference.
December 1, 2008
Glory be to the Planet tonight @ GlobeHopper
From the folks at the Back Porch Energy Initiative, about tonight’s discussion:
Because environmental factors affect all people, regardless of background or religious beliefs, we often view the environment as a strictly secular issue. However, it is possible to work within the framework of faith to help alleviate environmental hardships for individuals and the planet as a whole. Please join us as we host Pat Watkins, an ordained clergyman of the United Methodist church and self proclaimed, “missionary to the earth” as we facilitate a discussion linking the often-polarized issues of faith and the environment.
November 16, 2008
The Lament of our Dwindling Fisheries @ GlobeHopper
Back Porch @ GlobeHopper welcomes guest speaker Richard Taranto to talk about the future of seafood and our oceans. As we all are aware, many of the earth’s natural resources both, renewable and non-renewable, are under stress. This Monday’s discussion will focus on another resource that was once considered almost limitless — fish, and look at the decline of the major ocean fisheries, what is causing the decline and what we can to support better fishery management.
November 3, 2008
open forum on the McCain/Obama environmental policies
In honor of Tuesday’s presidential election, Back Porch invites you to join us for an open forum tonight at GlobeHopper on the environmental policies of both major party candidates. View several clips outlining the environmental policies of each candidate and follow it up with a discussion on the drawbacks and merits of each policy.