Life After Cheap Oil: Sustainable Solutions to Global Crises

Posted by on August 11, 2006

Life After Cheap Oil: Sustainable Solutions to Global Crises
Sustainable Energy Conference at Wilson College
Chambersburg PA
Sept 15-16 2006
http://www.wilson.edu/lifeaftercheapoil

On September 15th and 16th, 2006, Wilson College will host an international conference on the topics of peak oil, global climate change, and sustainable energy. The purpose of this conference is to educate a broad audience on the coming world energy crisis and the problem of global climate change, while presenting real examples of sustainable solutions for life after cheap oil. A diverse mix of academic lectures, expert speakers, and hands-on workshops will enable participants to leave the conference inspired and ready to make positive changes in their own lives, on their campuses, and in their workplaces. If you have an interest in a renewable energy future, please take a minute to add this conference to your syllabus, datebook, or personal calendar!

Energy prices, environmental health, and the sustainability of our lifestyles are on everyone’s minds these days. The outstanding lineup at Life After Cheap Oil will present cutting edge information and practical options for the future:

Keynote Speakers:
Peak Oil: Tom Whipple, Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas Sustainable Energy :Kathleen A. McGinty, Secretary, PA Department of Environmental Protection Global Climate Change: Billy Parish, Founder, the Climate Campaign

Sustainable Energy:
Biodiesel and other biofuels:
Biodiesel 101: Hands-on workshops: Wilson College Biodiesel Project and Guests
Biodiesel Quality testing: Maria “Girl Mark” Alovert, http://www.biodieselcommunity.org
Sidestreams and feedstocks, Piedmont Biofuels Coop
The Piedmont Biofuels Coop Story, Lyle Estill, Author of Biodiesel Power
Alternative feedstocks: Philadelphia Fry-o-diesel
Panel discussion featuring leading small scale and industrial biodiesel brewers
Alternative fueled vehicle car show and on-the-spot volkswagon conversion!
B100 and E85 pump at the conference….

Hydrogen-Fueled vehicle demonstration:
General Motors’ HydroGen 3 vehicle and engineers… Register by August 15th for a free chance to drive!

Solar Electricity & Wind Power:
Solar Water Pumping: Vertis Bream, Energy Options
Introduction to Photovoltaics: Laura Walters, Dickinson College/ Solar Energy International
Photovoltaics systems tour: Wilson College Solar Scholars
Vertical axis wind turbines, small-scale wind systems, and more!

Sustainable Homes and Businesses:
Campus sustainability initiatives: Leading Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities
Zero Energy Homes: Stu and Trina Rose, www.gardenatriums.com
Peak Oil: A Public Administration Perspective: Larry Berger Knorr
Home energy efficiency and more!

Environmental issues:
Global Climate Change initiatives: Clean Air, Cool Planet
The problem with Nuclear Power: Eric Epstien, TMI Alert

Sustainable activities:
Cycling as sustainable transportation; Bob Swaim, collector of eclectic cycles
Organic Farm Tours and Composting, Fulton Farm Crew
Solar powered live music!!! Friday night barn dance
Outdoor energy fair: Live music by London File

This is just a sampling of the great lectures and activities we will offer at Life After Cheap Oil. For more information and to register online, please visit http://www.wilson.edu/lifeaftercheapoil

If you would like a poster to display in your school or other public place, please email your mailing address with “request for poster” in the subject line to msteiman@wilson.edu. Please forward this message to anyone who has an interest in learning about the world energy situation and what we can do about it!

Admission to the conference is just $10 per day for adults, $5 per day for college students, and free to K-12 students and teachers. Budget accomodations are available on campus, including camping at the college’s 100 acre organic farm. Affordable admission is made possible by a generous endowment from Wilson alumna Susan Breakfield Fulton. Life After Cheap Oil is the second biennial round of the Richard Alsina Fulton Conference on Sustainablity at Wilson College.