Rumor has it (actually, it’s well documented and has been in the news frequently in the last few months) that two of the biggest contributors to climate change are who we eat and how we transport ourselves — cows and cars.
If you’re looking for ways to create a healthier, more humane world and want to reduce your carbon footprint (and your “foodprint”), then you might want to check out these upcoming conferences in her Portland, Oregon in June.
Try Vegan Week
June 7-14, 2008
You know it’s a healthy, humane, sustainable way of living, but you think it’s too hard, or you feel like you just can’t give up your addiction to choose. No worries! Try Vegan Week is a great opportunity to get your toes wet in the vegan pool and grab some support while you’re doing it. If you’re a newbie, or vegan-curious, you can get hooked up with a veteran mentor. There are also plenty of workshops, dine-outs, store tours, and fun events — like the Vegan Prom! Don’t miss out on this chance to go vegan and transform yourself…and the world. Come on! Oprah’s doing it! Find out more.
Towards Carfree Cities Conference
June 16-20, 2008
If becoming less dependent on (or totally independent from) your car is more your mix, Portland is hosting the 8th international Towards Carfree Cities Conference, June 16-20 at Portland State University (among other locations). The purpose of the conference is to bring “together people from around the world who work to promote practical alternatives to car dependence.” This year’s theme is Rethinking Mobility, Rediscovering Proximity, which focuses on promoting “discussion of urban livability, mixed-use development, local agriculture, pedestrianization, strong neighborhoods, accessible public space, and sustainable transportation.”
Tuesday, June 17 is the conference’s “Public Day,” free and open to the public (registrations and small donations preferred).
Find out more.
Just after the conference, on Sunday, June 22, is Portland Sunday Parkways, a special six-hour event in which six miles of local streets in North Portland will be closed to most car traffic, so that people can bike, walk, rollerblade, skip, etc., in that area without having to worry about cars.
Find out more.
Let Live NW Animal Rights Conference
June 27-29, 2008
Want to help animals? Want a more compassionate world? Learn effective skills and strategies for becoming a better animal advocate at the Let Live NW Animal Rights Conference. Friday night features a keynote speaker, and Saturday and Sunday bring workshops on all sorts of topics, from media training to “moving the message” to understanding the audience to developing campaigns and strategies. Find out more.
(Portland MOGO will be tabling at this conference. If you’d like to volunteer to staff our tiny table, let Marsha know: pdxmogo@gmail.com.)
Filed under: Events | Tagged: animal rights, carfree, conferences, food and diet, global warming, oregon, portland, public spaces, transportation, veganism
Love your blog! Our missions are very similar, so I’m writing to see if you’d let your readers know you about U.S. National Downshifting Week, a voluntary simplicity awareness campaign sponsored by the non-profit Conscious Consuming. U.S. National Downshifting Week builds on the work of Tracey Smith, the founder of National Downshifting Week in the UK. U.S. National Downshifting week is scheduled for July 7-13, 2007 and is designed to help participants “Slow Down and Green Up.” . We are hoping you might inform your readers about National Downshifting Week, and link to our website, where people can post events and download a copy of our Downshifting Manifesto.
As you may know, downshifting involves cutting out unnecessary expenditure, cultivating a simpler lifestyle (thus leaving a lighter environmental footprint), and making more time for the things you want to do. Data from the mid-90’s from the Trends Research Institute shows that about 10% of Americans identify with downshifting, voluntary simplicity, and simple living. Duane Elgin, author of several books on voluntary simplicity, calls this a “conservative estimate.”
Many Americans are cutting back consumption this year due to higher food,
health care, and fuel prices. The freefall in the housing
market has also been a factor in reducing consumption, as home equity
credit tightens and people feel a loss in their net wealth. Instead of feeling down about buying less stuff, many Americans celebrate their decision to downshift. Smith says, “A positive approach to living with less helps you re-think ways to enjoy time with your loved ones without reaching for your wallet.”
The dates for National Downshifting Week (July 7-13th) were chosen to coincide with the birthday of America’s most famous downshifter, Henry David Thoreau (born July 12, 1817). “Modern downshifters don’t have to move into a cabin in the woods to simplify their lives. Happiness depends on knowing when you have enough, and finding ways to do the things you love to do without spending a ton of money,” says Donohoe. “Downshifters can live deliberately, leave a lighter footprint on the earth, and have even more time with their families and friends.”
For further details visit us on-line at
http://www.consciousconsuming.org and http://www.downshiftingweek.com. We appreciate any help you might offer in spreading the good, green word.
Susan Donohoe
Co-founder, Conscious Consuming
http://www.consciousconsuming.org
http://blogspot.consciousconsuming.com