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.

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

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

  1. 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.

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

  1. 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


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