February 13, 2001

Environmentally Sound & Voluntary Simplicity
Series Examine Social Issues in March

Imagine a world where energy resources are no longer in jeopardy, the air is pure and water is safe to drink, and global warming no longer poses a threat. While it may seem inconceivable, the actions of Tristaters today will help shape the very future of our planet. What should be done? What can be done? We owe it to our generation and future ones to find out. Two series, hosted by the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, examine these issues and how we can lead a simpler, yet more environmentally friendly life.

Environmentally Sound: Global Climate Change and Its Impact on the Tri-State Environment is a free lecture series about global climate change in the Tri-State area. Sponsored by the Library and the Tri-State Environmental Resource Center, it will kick off at the Main Library with Seth Dunn, Research Associate and climate/energy team co-leader with the Worldwatch Institute.

Voluntary Simplicity is an eight-week discussion group presented by The Cincinnati Earth Institute at EarthConnection, and will be held every Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. at the Northside Branch Library, 4219 Hamilton Avenue, beginning March 6.

Environmentally Sound

The Tri-State Environmental Resource Center (TERC) is a non-profit public service organization providing environmental data, news and information that is relevant to the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Tri-State region. TERC believes that environmental information should be gathered without bias, widely disseminated, easy and convenient to use, and presented clearly and objectively. The Center is partnering with the Main Library to provide better public access to books, pamphlets, periodicals, reports, scholarly research, media coverage, and audio and videocassettes that relate to the environment of the tri-state.

Environmentally Sound Program Schedule

• Sunday, March 4, 2:00 p.m., Main Library, Atrium (Reception to follow)
  The Coming Climate presented by Seth Dunn, Research Associate from the Worldwatch Institute in Washington, D.C.
  
  Seth Dunn is a graduate of Yale University, where he studied history and environmental studies. Prior to joining the Worldwatch Institute, he served as an intern with the Climate Action Network, a consultant to the Natural Resources Defense Council, and a research assistant with the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. Among his achievements, Mr. Dunn has authored a number of articles in publications such as Solar Today, Renewable Energy World and the Journal of International Affairs and has been interviewed by the BBC, Voice of America, CBS Radio and ABC.
  
  
• Wednesday, March 7, 7:00 p.m., Northern Kentucky University, University Center Ballroom
  Climate Change and Wildlife: What Are the Potential Impacts and What Can We Do? presented by Patricia A. Glick, Climate Change & Wildlife Program Coordinator of the National Wildlife Federation
  
  Patricia Glick received her Master's degree in economics from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Prior to joining the NWF, Ms. Glick was the Associate Director for Development at World Resources Institute where she developed and implemented strategies for raising funds for WRI's economics and environmental health programs. Ms. Glick is currently responsible for educating NWF's members, policy makers and the general public about the impact of global climate change on wildlife and habitats, and developing and implementing an effective grassroots outreach strategy to promote meaningful U.S. action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  
  
• Saturday, March 10, 2:00 p.m., Main Library-Children's Learning Center
  Don't Water Me! Drought Tolerant Plants presented by Sara Storjohann, Director of Youth and Family Education, Civic Garden Center
  
  Sara Storjohann received her Master's degree in Geography from the University of Cincinnati. Ms. Storjohann has been with the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati since 1995 where she manages and develops all youth education and programming offered by the CGC. She promotes youth education to the community through lectures, talks and workshops such as Wild in the City and Green Thumbs to Fight Litter. Ms. Storjohann has been recognized for her children's garden displays at the Ault Park Flower Show and in 1997 received the Garden Club of America Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Contribution to the Environmental Education of Youth.
  
  
• Tuesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m., North Central Branch Library, 11109 Hamilton Avenue
  The Future of Electricity and Climate Change presented by Eric Kuhn, Cinergy Senior Environmental Scientist, and Paula Gonzalez, SC, PhD, Futurist, Educator and Environmentalist
  
  Eric Kuhn has 28 years experience in the area of environmental sciences and is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a Master's degree in Business Administration. Mr. Kuhn is responsible for Cinergy's response to global climate change issues, climate change policy analysis, and climate change policy development. He has represented Cinergy's interests at the United Nations Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change in Japan (1997), Argentina (1998) and the Netherlands (2000).
  
  As an environmentalist and futurist, Sister Paula Gonzalez addresses the role of our communities and of us, as individuals, in restoring the balance within the ecosystem in our planet. Her experiences of the last 20 years have led to energy consulting and presentations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
  
  
• Thursday, March 15, 12:00 p.m., Main Library--Huenefeld Tower Room
  Transportation Options for Reducing Air Emissions and Climate Change--a brownbag lunch program
  
  
• Monday, March 19, 7:30 p.m., Madeira Branch Library, 7200 Miami Avenue
  Tomorrow's Transportation: Options for Reducing Air Emissions, Oil Dependency and Climate Change - a panel discussion presented by Judi Craig, I-71 Project Manager/Clean Cities Coordinator, OKI, and Walter Koucky, Environmental Engineer
  
  Judi Craig received her Master's degree in Urban Geography from the University of Cincinnati in 1985. During her 11 years with the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, Ms. Craig has served in a variety of capacities including Community Affairs Project Manager, Special Projects Manager and Communications and Marketing Manager, as well as coordinating several other projects and public participation. Ms. Craig is currently responsible for the day-to-day management of the I-71 Light Rail Transit Project and serves as a liaison between OKI and the Federal Transit Authority as well as representing the region as the Clean Cities Coordinator.
  
  Walter Koucky received his Master's degree in Environmental Science (Air Pollution Control) from the College of Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. With over 19 years of experience in air quality planning, modeling, permitting, monitoring, compliance and research, Mr. Koucky's current focus is on human exposure to toxic and criteria pollutants and support of the Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement and regulatory activities as an Independent Consultant. His studies related to air toxics includes managing the investigation of ecological and biological impacts resulting from toxic deposition into the national estuaries and other Great Waters.
  
  
• Monday, March 26, 7:30 p.m., Northern Kentucky University--Business Education & Psychology Building, Room 200
  The Urgency of Controlling Global Warming and Some Surprising Strategies presented by Ned Ford, Energy Technical Advisory Committee, National Sierra Club
  
  Having 14 years experience with the National Sierra Club, Ned Ford currently holds the position of Energy Chair of the Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club as well as being the Chair of the Energy Technical Advisory Committee of the National Sierra Club. Mr. Ford has worked with Ohio utilities, which spent $140 million on energy efficiency that resulted in $1.5 billion in savings.
  
  
• Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m., Monfort Heights Branch Library, 3825 West Fork Road
  Renewables Are Ready: Energy Options for the 21st Century presented by Paula Gonzalez, SC, PhD, Futurist, Educator and Environmentalist
  
  Paula Gonzalez has offered over 1400 talks, minicourses, seminars and retreats on various aspects of Futuring and Planetary Awareness to religious communities, educators and students, civic, church and professional groups, and radio, TV and other general audiences since 1970. Sr. Gonzalez gained direct experience with passive and solar design and super-insulation techniques while converting a chicken barn into a passive solar residence and was largely involved in the 1995 opening of EarthConnection, a center for learning and reflection about "living lightly" on the Earth.
  
  

Voluntary Simplicity--Topics of Discussion

Tuesdays, March 6-May 1, 7:00 p.m.
Northside Branch Library

• The Meaning of Simplicity - The concept of simplicity, as a religious practice or philosophy of life, has a long history. Inner simplicity and outer simplicity are both involved. What are some common misconceptions about a simple life?
  
  
• Living More with Less - Accumulating material possessions is part of the "American Dream." For some, the dream has become a nightmare. When do material possessions add meaning to our lives and when do they detract?
  
  
• Your Money or Your Life - A growing number of people wish to resolve the conflict between the desire to make and spend money and the desire for a simple life. Why is that so difficult in our culture?
  
  
• Do You Have the Time? - In modern society, our minds are focused on the "busyness" of the day, our current problems, and our future challenges. Are there alternatives to the fast pace of mainstream culture?
  
  
• How Much Is Enough - As a society, we engage in patterns of material consumption that are damaging the environment. How much do we really need?
  
  
• Swimming Against the Tide - Our country's current guiding economic principles push growth, consumption and technological advance as inextricable and desirable goals. In our efforts to live simply, we may feel like we are swimming against the tide.
  
  
• The Practice of Simplicity - There are countless benefits in moving toward simplicity. What steps can be taken to move toward a life "simple in means, rich in ends"?
  
  

Interpreter available upon request for the hearing impaired. Please call 513-369-6944 [TDD 513-369-6946] at least one week before program.

Information about events at the Main Library and 41 branch libraries is available on the Internet site: www.CincinnatiLibrary.org