Global Problems, Local Solutions     
 

International Conference
on Peak Oil and Climate Change:
Paths to Sustainability
   

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

The conference needs presentations for both the break out seminars as well as the main stage.

PATHS TO SUSTAINABILITY

The conference design is structured around twelve "Paths to Sustainability".  Each path is divided into four seminar times.  These seminars times within a path take participants on a journey to a deeper understanding of sustainability.

The seminar times and focuses are as follows:

• Plan A: Understanding Unsustainability -- Saturday 9:45 a.m.
• Plan B: Immediate Strategies -- Saturday 2:30 p.m.
• Plan D: Individual Drive -- Sunday 9:45 a.m.
• Plan C: Community Solutions -- Sunday 2:30 p.m.

For example, consider the "Path to Sustainability" focusing on transportation.  In the first seminar, participants learn the degree to which our automobile culture and burning of petroleum fuels are unsustainable.  Seminar two looks at the very best solutions to minimize gasoline, diesel and other non-renewable fuel consumption, via the use of high fuel-efficiency vehicles, improved transportation infrastructure, and etc.  Seminar three focuses on the degree to which individuals can minimize their dependence on fossil fueled transportation.  Seminar four then broadens the scope to explore what communities can do to extend the individual efforts to minimize fossil fuel dependence and achieve true sustainability in the area of transportation.

The breakout seminars page outlines all 48 seminars, and gives the generic title or description for each.  Seminars run approximately 50 minutes.  Presentations of 15-25 minutes are preferred, with the remaining time devoted to Q&A and discussion.

Presentation rooms range from 25 to 250.  Interested speakers should indicate the desired audience size.  They should also indicate which groups of individuals would most benefit from their seminar, for example: municipal leaders, small business owners, educators, etc.

MAIN STAGE

First, presentations are needed to expose and explore the various symptoms of our global culture of unsustainability.  Symptoms include peak oil, climate change, biodiversity loss, population growth, as well as many others.

Then, presentations are needed to uncover the root cause or causes of this culture of unsustainability.  Focus areas might include economics, value systems, government policy, etc.

Finally, presentations are needed to demonstrate how individuals and communities can move toward cultures of enduring sustainability.  By sustainability, we mean a specific form of deep sustainability, which returns individuals, communities, and humanity to balance and harmony with the rest of the natural world, and simultaneously works to undo the damage of the current global culture.

Due to the compactness of the conference schedule, main stage presentation time will be awarded sparingly, most speakers being allotted 5 to 20 minutes.

Please refer to the agenda, the time schedule, and the breakout seminars for additional ideas on main stage presentation topics.

APPLICATIONS

Presentations which are approved for the conference will entitle the associated speaker to free attendance, free lunches on both days, and the speaker's name in media publications.

Please read the following letter from the organizer prior to submitting an application:

Letter to Potential Speakers from Organizer Aaron Wissner (Word)

After reading the letter, please complete and submit this form to the address below:

Call for Presentations Application Form (Word)

Please mail completed forms to: Presentation@SustainabilityConference.org by April 30, 2008.

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Local Future is a nonprofit organization, which is seeking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status, and is not affiliated with any religion, political party, or other organization.