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Renewable Energy Education
for a Sustainable Future
S E I
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| SEI recently had a visit from Louis Palmer, who is traveling the world in his solar car. His goal is to demonstrate to the world just how dire the global climate situation has become and how many sophisticated solutions to lower greenhouse gases already exist. The United States is his 28th country! Check out the car with Louis and some SEI staff in the photo above, and check out his website at www.solartaxi.com |
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Learn to Build Naturally! |
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SEI's sustainable building program teaches how to build houses that take less from the earth and give more to people. Our natural building curriculum takes this a step further, demonstrating how to build durable, sustainable structures out of earthen materials such as sand, straw, and clay. If you are in the construction industry, or you want to build your own home someday, don't miss the following opportunities to learn how to do it right!:
SEI is also excited to be offering more solar workshops in Honolulu, Hawaii this November. If you want to learn about photovoltaics in a beautiful setting this is your chance.
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The Candidates on Energy |
As the race for the next US president heats up, both candidates have shared ambitious energy plans. Barack Obama has said "I don't believe that climate change is just an issue that's convenient to bring up during a campaign. I believe it's one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation." John McCain says "In a world of hostile and unstable suppliers of oil, this nation will achieve strategic independence by 2025."
Obama's plan calls for investing $150 billion over 10 years in clean energy, and requiring that 25% of electricity consumed in the U.S. is derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal by 2025. He also proposes doubling fuel economy standards within 18 years, and reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050 through a cap and trade system.
McCain's plan calls for expanding domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production, and investing $2 billion annually in clean coal technologies. He also proposes a $5,000 tax credit for every customer who buys a zero carbon emission car, and the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030 with the ultimate goal of eventually constructing 100 new plants.
Read about their respective energy plans by clicking on the following links:
Obama's energy plan
McCain's energy plan |
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Protecting Mother Earth - The Indigenous Environmental Network Conference |
This past July SEI returned to Newe Sogobe (Western Shoshone) Territories in Nevada for the 15th Protecting Mother Earth Conference organized by the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN). This four day conference covered topics such as traditional L.A.W.S. (Land, Air, Water, Sun), mineral extraction, energy, climate change, water, rescinding the Doctrine of Discovery, food sovereignty, un-doing colonialism, youth activities, organizing and action trainings, and more.
SEI was honored to participate alongside indigenous peoples from around the world in this important gathering to discuss solutions around indigenous-based environmental protection and ecological knowledge. Staff members Jeff Tobe and Matthew Harris set up an interactive Solar Camp with solar ovens, a solar attic fan, solar water fountain, and a battery-based PV charging station. They also offered several PV and energy efficiency trainings, and joined friend and ally PennElys GoodShield of Sustainable Nations for a straw bale construction workshop.
SEI would like to thank our friends at IEN and the Western Shoshone Defense Project for inviting us to participate in the conference. As part of our charitable programs SEI continues to support our indigenous brothers and sisters with sustainable and culturally appropriate development. To listen to archived audio of the entire conference visit www.earthcycles.net. |
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A Green Olympics? |
From the standpoint of energy and the environment, the Summer Olympics in Beijing, a city of 15 million people, pose a stark juxtaposition of the reality of China today and the vision of its future: a China characterized by wise environmental and energy stewardship.
There are many environmental problems in China that plague the Olympics, including algae blooms in the waters that threaten the sailing competition, and smog and particulate matter-laden skies, forcing some coaches to provide their athletes with optional breathing masks. However, during the games China will showcase a robust assortment of renewable energy and energy efficiency features. More than one quarter of all energy consumed at Olympic venues will come from renewable sources, including solar power, which will generate nearly 8 million kilowatt-hours of power for Olympic facilities, and wind power, which will provide 20% of the power needs of the Olympic venues.
To read more on environmental problems and renewable energy in the Beijing Olympics visit www.RenewableEnergyWorld.com |
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Renewable Energy for Educators |
SEI would like to thank the Xcel Energy Foundation for their ongoing support of our Solar In the Schools program. They have once again donated $10,000 to our teacher training workshop, Renewable Energy for Educators. Their belief in renewable energy education has allowed us to deliver yet another successful 4 day accredited training.
This year's workshop was full of Middle and High School youth educators from all over the country. We were also honored to host a middle school principal from Mexico and 3 educators from Pakistan. Participants made solar ovens and model solar cars. They learned the principles of electricity and the importance of efficiency. They tested blade design on model wind turbines and learned how to design a passive solar home. They are all excited to take what they've learned back to their classrooms. |
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Upcoming RE Events |
Aspen, Colorado's AREDAY brings leaders and educators together to promote renewable energy and energy efficient strategies as practical solutions to the climate crisis through presentation, performance, film and dialogue. This year's AREDAY, August 21 - 23, will feature Ted Turner, Pat Mitchell, Peter Buffett, Lester Brown, Jerome Ringo, Majora Carter, Randy Hayes, and many other wonderful speakers and experts.
Solar Power International (formerly Solar Power 2008) will be held in San Diego, California, October 13 - 16. There will be over 420 exhibitors and over 60 conference sessions on the latest market, policy, finance and technology happenings in the industry. SEI will be exhibiting in booth # 1943. Please come by and visit!
Also in October is the ASES National Solar Tour, the largest solar energy event in the world. Tour homes and buildings to see how your neighbors are using solar energy to reduce their monthly utility bills. Last year more than 115,000 attendees visited some 5,000 buildings in 2,900 participating communities. Most tours take place the weekend of October 4th and 5th. To find a tour near you click here.
If you're in Boulder, Colorado in October, the solar home tour on October 5th also includes a week of educational workshops on solar energy. The evening workshops feature an amazing lineup of speakers. For more information visit the Center for Resource Conservation. |
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| Calling All Alumni! |
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SEI Alumni, we would love to hear from you! SEI is putting together a scrolling slide show highlighting what our alumni are up to in the RE and Sustainable Building world. We plan on featuring this display at Solar Power International this October. Send your stories to Matthew Harris <matthew@solarenergy.org>. What we are looking for is three of four sentences explaining what you are doing in the RE and Sustainable Building fields, a nice picture of yourself in action, and a short quote sharing how SEI workshops helped jump start your career and/or why you think SEI's workshop program is a valuable experience. |
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Your Generosity Ensures our Success! |
SEI would like to welcome new members! As a membership-based non-profit, SEI's members are the heart of our organization and allow us to continue our educational programs. SEI Staff are passionate about the work we do and membership dues help sustain our renewable energy endeavors.
Please join us! Membership benefits include (depending on membership level) discounts on workshops, a one year subscription to either Home Power magazine or E magazine, an organic cotton/hemp SEI t-shirt, a SEI bumpersticker, and more!
Click here for details on how to become an SEI member.
To all SEI members . . . SEI sends thanks! |
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Help create a sustainable future. Please forward this newsletter to your friends.
PO Box 715 • 76 S. 2nd. St. • Carbondale, CO 81623
970-963-8855 • fax: 970-963-8866
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Use this link to add your name to our mailing list. Use this link to remove your name from our mailing list. |
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