Climate Change Solutions from Fiji to Philadelphia

International teams win awards for sustainable community design

In June, I had the honor to serve as a judge for a unique design competition hosted by the California chapter of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)–USA.

The competition, Building a Sustainable World: Life in the Balance, challenged designers from around the globe to develop concepts for healthy, vibrant communities that address climate change and reverse, rather than add to, environmental damage and social injustice.

At a weekend symposium in Los Angeles,

Good Green News — Blessed Unrest

Number of groups working toward ecological sustainability and social justice worldwide: “over one—and maybe even two—million,” according to Paul Hawken’s latest book, Blessed Unrest.

 

Recommended: EcoBabes calendar

EcoBabes 2007 calendar. Showcasing twelve beautiful, inspiring women who are changing the world. Proceeds benefit Sonoma County, California’s Climate Protection Campaign. ecobabes.org

 

Getting a Green Life: Urban Permaculture

Up close and personal with worm composting.

This summer, I didn’t go to the beach. Or to the mountains, for that matter. I stayed home and took a six-weekend course in permaculture design. Offered for the first time by the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society, this course was unique in the permaculture world in that it focused more on urban than rural issues.

Although hardly a household word, the concept of permaculture design has been around for more than three decades. Originally formulated by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, permaculture is now practiced across the planet.

So what is permaculture?

Dwell on Design — 9/16/2006

Sept. 16, 2006  San Francisco

Dwell on Design Conference + Exhibition. Experience architecture through the lens of prefab, sustainability, affordability and urban design. Conference runs from Sept. 13 to 17 and is hosted by Dwell magazine. On Sept. 16, Jennifer will speak on the topic, “Is Green Good Enough?” A book signing follows. Info: dwell.com/connect/dwellconferences

 

Urban Permaculture — 10/11/2006

Oct. 11, 2006  San Francisco

Urban Permaculture Design and Community: practical solutions for a changing world. Jennifer will join a panel of urban permaculture designers and educators to offer perspectives on this holistic design system and how it works in our suburbs and cities. Moderated by Kat Steele of the Urban Permaculture Guild and sponsored by Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR).

 

Recommended: The Great Turning

The Great Turning by David C. Korten, 2006. Korten argues that we’ve reached a critical juncture. We can join together now in what he and others call the Great Turning, setting the stage for a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice and peace. Or we can stand on the sidelines, lamenting an unprecedented collapse of environmental and social systems that may be known to future generations as the Great Unraveling.

Recommended: Daily Acts

Daily-acts.org. Make a world of difference by taking individual and collective daily actions, from buying local to growing your own food to getting to know your neighbors.

 

Recommended: Good News for a Change

Good News for a Change: How Everyday People Are Helping the Planet, David T. Suzuki and Holly Dressel, 2003. The most optimistic book I’ve read about the state of the planet. The authors don’t gloss over the bad news, but they hold out hope by sharing stories of dozens of people around the world who are making a difference.