Intro to Gaia Education & LEED

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION

The Gaia Education program is designed to facilitate our acquiring the knowledge and the ability to take action across four interrelated spheres of living. In collaboration with Webster University and the Adena Institute, the Clifton Community Council is developing a neighborhood Learning & Living process. The first phase of this process will be organized around four work groups. For more information on Gaia Education: http://www.gaiaeducation.org/

1. Worldview: Holistic; Listening to & reconnecting with nature; Awakening & transformation of consciousness; Celebrating life through creativity and art; Socially engaged spirituality.

2. Social: Building community & embracing diversity; Communication skills: conflict facilitation, & decision-making.

3. Economic: Shifting the global economy to sustainability; Right livelihood; Social enterprise; Community banks & currencies; Legal & financial issues.

4. Ecological: Green building & retrofitting; Local food; Appropriate technology; Restoring nature & rebuilding after disasters; Integrated Ecovillage design.

Beginning in early 2008, each work group will meet for a minimum of three sessions and produce a set of educational and action recommendations for the Clifton neighborhood.

To learn more about the Living and Learning planning and development process, please take a look at the initial Clifton grant and certification applications.

The U.S. Green Building Council has developed LEED for Neighborhood Development standards. The standards cover three aspects of neighborhood development.

1. Smart Location & Linkage: Includes land use, the environment, bicycle network, education, and access to jobs & housing.

2. Neighborhood Pattern & Design: Covers transit facilities, public spaces, affordable housing, walkable streets, local food production, and universal accessibility.

3. Green Construction & Technology: Focuses on energy efficient buildings, reduced water use, and reuse of historic buildings.

These LEED standards will be included in each of the work groups where appropriate. At this time, the Council is a correspondent to the piloting of the standards. See the LEO Weekly article about Clifton's LEED exploration to learn more.

Contact: John Baker at 893-0477 or johnbaker@bellsouth.net

Simple Steps to Sustainability

www.cliftonlouky.org

Comments/Suggestions: www.sustainableclifton.blogspot.com

SIMPLES STEPS TO A SUSTAINABLE CLIFTON 

Toward a more sustainable World View

1. Look for the connections as well as the cause & effect.
2. See problems as opportunities.
3. Participate.
4. Enjoy Clifton.
5. Vote.
6. Celebrate Diversity.

Toward a more sustainable Social Environment

1. Know your neighbors.
2. Greet people on the street.
3. Deliver the Clifton Quarterly.
4. Give your opinions.
5. Support a neighborhood circulator.
6. Reach out to elderly neighbors.
7. Include those with disabilities.

Toward a more sustainable Ecology

1. Recycle storm water.
2. Grow food & flowers.
3. Pick-up litter.
4. Reduce you energy use.
5. Walk, bicycle, use TARC.
6. Recycle.

Toward a more sustainable Economy

1. Join a Clifton Community Council committee.
2. Volunteer at a neighborhood non-profit.
3. Support neighborhood businesses.
4. Reuse.
5. Compost
6. Follow the money.

Living and Learning for Sustainability in Clifton

The Clifton Community Council took another step towards sustainability with the November 13, 2007 Membership meeting at Clifton Center. Members discussed the Neighborhood Sustainability Living and Learning Network and related opportunities for greening Clifton and other neighborhoods.

Among the evening's highlights:

• A review of the Gaia Education Project, followed by neighbors brainstorming and joining Living and Learning working groups on sustainability Worldview, Social Environment, Ecology and Economy. Clifton has applied for a Gaia Education Grant and Certification.
• A brief on the Clifton LEED Neighborhood Development initiative.
• Review of opportunities for neighborhood based rain and wastewater management, and an invitation from Metro Council member Tina Ward Pugh to join with other neighborhoods and stakeholder groups on water and sustainability issues. There will be a November 27 Waterways meeting about this at the Clifton Clifton.
• Discussion of the community "Quiet Zone" for rail traffic through the neighborhood.
  
• Report on the work of the Pedestrian and Bikeways committee, including the Car Free Guide, upcoming Pedestrian Summit and related issues.
• Presentation n Metrocall, the "311 " service for the community.
• And other neighborhood business.

You can listen to excerpts from the evening here (to be posted soon).

Eating Green and Local for the Holidays

Sustainability Lunch and Learn:

Eating Green and Local
for the Holidays
Chef Timothy Tucker 

and Native Plants consultant Whit Forerester.
December 20, 2007
Noon to 2 PM
Adena Center at Webster University, Louisville
Galen Building, 2nd Floor, Zorn Ave. and River Rd.

• Are you looking for ways to make this a green holiday?
  
• Looking for recipes and tips on how to grow and cook good local food?
  
• Want to contribute to the health of the least among us and help increase our community's food security?
  

Join us for a delicious green and local lunch and expert presentations with Chef Timothy Tucker of the Salvation Army and Native Plants Consultant Whit Forrester.

The event will be hosted at Webster University, Clifton's nearby graduate school. One of the issues we will be exploring is the potential for edible landscaping and community food security for Clifton and surrounding neighborhoods. Please join us for this fun and thought provoking event. 

Please RSVP to 502 896-1835 or communitybiz@yahoo.com
More Information: Open Living and Learning for Sustainability