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Events

Sustainable Pittsburgh Hosts Young Leaders to Support Launch of Pitt-Sponsored World Leadership Summit

On Monday, July 13, Sustainable Pittsburgh hosted four young leaders and their mentor, Keith Schaefer, CEO and Founder of BPL Global, for an intensive day of research, discussion and analysis. This high-powered group focused their talents on addressing the strategic issue of the effectiveness of regional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs as signals that talented young people use to choose employers, careers, and communities.

Specifically, the group conducted an inventory of CSR efforts of several of the region’s cornerstone businesses and characterized their synergistic dimensions and their collective effects; assessed how these CSR efforts contribute to the talent and attraction need for the region; recommended strategic places for Sustainable Pittsburgh to intervene so that CSR efforts add up to more effective talent attraction and retention pathways; and suggested communications strategies for highlighting the CSR efforts in the region with a focus on their benefits for talent attraction and retention. The group’s presentation can be viewed by clicking here.

The students were part of a larger cadre of 44 young leaders recruited from all over the world through a highly competitive process to attend the first of an annual by-invitation-only summit through Pitt's Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement. This program was launched earlier this year with the mission of inspiring, developing, and rewarding accomplished student leaders to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The academy is named for Pitt alumnus Frances Hesselbein, recipient of the 1998 Presidential Medal of Freedom and chair of the board of governors of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management). For more information on this program, visit the web site.

Resources

The Summer's Hot Business Topic: A Discussion of Energy Policy and The American Clean Energy and Securities Act

Thursday, July 30
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Free
New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square E., North Side Pittsburgh
For more information and/or to register visit the C4S web site.

The American Clean Energy and Securities Act commands attention of all industries as it sets a new course for energy and climate policy. The stakes are high as the nation grapples with the transition to a new energy economy.

On July 30, 2009, a group of leaders from regional companies and organizations will discuss multiple facets of energy and climate policy in response to the recent passage of this Act by the U.S. House of Representatives. Moderated by Rob Jones, Sr. Manager, Public Affairs at Dominion Peoples and President & CEO at IngoodCompany LLC, the panel will include:

- Lee Ann Briggs, Regional Environmental Specialist, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center
- William O'Rourke, Vice President for Sustainability and Environment, Health and Safety, Alcoa
- Sharon Pillar, Global Warming Outreach Coordinator, Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future
- Keith Schaefer, Founder, CEO, and President, BPL Global
- Steve Winberg, VP, Research and Development, Consol Energy (invited)

The event, entitled “The Summer's Hot Business Topic: A Discussion of Energy Policy and The American Clean Energy and Securities Act,” will be hosted by Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Champions for Sustainability network at the New Hazlett Theater from 6pm – 8:30pm and is free to attend.

Panelists will share thoughts following a screening of a taped debate on energy issues (from The Miller Center of Public Affairs National Discussion and Debate Series) featuring:

- Karen Harbert, President and CEO, Institute for 21st Century Energy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- John Podesta, President, Center for American Progress; former White House Chief of Staff
- Christine Todd Whitman, Co-chair of CASEnergy Coalition; former EPA Administrator; former Governor of New Jersey
- James Woolsey, Venture Partner, VantagePoint Venture Partners; former Director of Central Intelligence Agency

Companies and communities are working hard to reconcile challenging and difficult issues relating to energy policy, and Southwestern Pennsylvania has much at stake in this discussion. This event is intended to help businesses in our region assess the opportunities and challenges emerging from the debate over energy and climate policy.

Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Level 1 training

July 27 – 31, 2009
8:00 am - 4:30 pm (1/2 hour provided for SPI provided lunch)
Tuition: $999 (less than a hundred dollars per module)
Solar Power Industries’ corporate headquarters, Belle Vernon, PA
More information

Solar Power Industries (SPI) is offering this certificated program featuring ten modules that provide classroom and lab training using actual photovoltaic equipment that SPI manufactured. SPI is a manufacturer of solar PV in Pennsylvania and recognized by the Pennsylvania Sunshine Grant Program of the Department of Environmental Protection as providing a means of meeting the formal training required to become a solar PV company Qualified Employee (as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection). Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Working Safely with PV, Selecting a System Design; installation, and maintenance. There will also be instruction about renewable energy credits, interconnection requirements, and more.

The Compelling Case for Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV)

Wednesday, August 5
8:30 am – 4:15 pm
Westin Convention Center Hotel, Downtown Pittsburgh
More information
Cost: $50/person (covers materials and meals)

The Compelling Case for Natural Gas Vehicles in Public and Private Fleets - Seminar led by expert Stephen Yborra is coming August 5th to the Westin Convention Center Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA. This comprehensive low-cost one-day educational workshop about vehicles powered by America’s abundant, clean natural gas is designed with your time and budget constraints in mind. The day is packed with informative practical sessions covering technical, economic, and operational topics for public and private fleet operators looking for options in alternative fuel transportation technologies such as natural gas vehicles (NGV).

Breakfast Briefing: Westinghouse and Nuclear Energy - The Reality of the Renaissance

Wednesday, August 5
7:00 am - 9:30 am
One Oxford Center, Downtown Pittsburgh
Cost: $40 Pittsburgh Technology Council Member; $175 Non-Member
Register
More information

Westinghouse President and CEO Aris S. Candris will discuss the nuclear energy renaissance in the context of global environmental and energy policies. Dr. Candris will trace the development of commercial nuclear energy from its roots here in western Pennsylvania to its current status as the nation's largest source of carbon-free electricity. He will also address the need for and benefits of ongoing investment in technology development and process improvement, and how those investments over the last two decades have positioned Westinghouse to lead the ongoing nuclear renaissance.

Wind Energy in our Backyard: Friend or Foe?

Monthly Public Meeting of Allegheny Group Sierra Club
Wednesday, August 12
7:30 pm
Phipps Civic Garden Center, Fifth and Shady Aves, Squirrel Hill
Contact Donald L. Gibbon, dongibbon@earthlink.net, with questions.

What is the role of wind power in PA? Join the Allegheny Group Sierra Club for an informative evening featuring a representative of GAMESA, the large Spanish firm building wind turbines locally in Ebensburg, explaining this company's point of view. This will be followed by Patty DeMarco, PhD, formerly Executive Director of the Power Facilities Evaluation Council of Connecticut dealing with such issues as nuclear power plant safety, energy conservation, and clean fuels technology, also a Commissioner of the Alaska Regulatory Commission, with jurisdiction over all electric, gas, water, refuse utilities and oil and gas pipelines. She is presently head of the Rachel Carson Homestead Association, and she will present a wide-ranging look at comparative impacts of wind and other energy sources. Refreshments provided.

Coro Fellows Social Innovation Fair

Friday, August 14
11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Benedum Center, Studio A, 719 Liberty Ave., Downtown Pittsburgh
To learn more or RSVP, contact Kelsey Halling at khalling@coropittsburgh.org

Providing relevant, scalable ideas for all sectors to solve community problems.

Agenda:
11:30 - 2:00 - Browse table displays from organizations across the city
11:45 - Coro Fellows Presentation, "Social Innovation in Downtown Pittsburgh"
12:25 - Panel Discussion "Strategies for Social Innovation"

Learn from Social Innovators About:
- developing a new product or service that is socially innovative.
- changing internal operations to decrease expenses and provide social benefit.
- transforming your programs and services to achieve your mission.
- creating a new business model that is profitable and solves a social problem.

Running For Public Office FALL 2009

Beginning September 24, 2009
12 consecutive Thursday sessions from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: $150 upon acceptance into the program
For more information and to apply, click here.

Running for Public Office is an experiential learning program of the Coro Center for Civic Leadership. Standing for election to a public office is an important form of civic engagement and one of the highest forms of public service. The vision of Running for Public Office is to strengthen citizen participation in public elections and to increase the diversity and level of preparation of candidates running for office in Greater Pittsburgh.

Seminars include:
1. Getting prepared for Running for Public Office
2. Creating a Learning Environment for your Team
3. Building your campaign team: The “Kitchen Cabinet”
4. Research and Message Development
5. The Budget
6. Fundraising
7. Paid and Earned Media
8. Targeting
9. Direct Contact with Voters
10. Recruiting and Engaging Volunteers
11. Get-Out-The-Vote
12. Election Day

Third Annual Rachel Carson Legacy Conference
When Chemicals Disrupt: Managing Our Risks

Friday, September 25
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Bidwell Training Center, 1815 Metropolitan Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Tickets: $90
Pre-registration and pre-payment is required.
More information

Featuring leaders of national and state government, academic institutions, environmental and social justice advocacy organizations and medical science, the conference will address the dichotomy between critical protection of the environment (and our bodies and those of the next generations) from endocrine disrupting contaminants and the unbridled economic interest of those who produce substances which directly or indirectly act as endocrine or developmental disruptors.

Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and other such synthetic compounds known as endocrine disruptors are chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system. They are used widely in agriculture, industry and consumer products. They fool the body into over-production or under-production of natural hormones. They have been linked to feminization of fish, hermophrodization in frogs, and there is a growing body of scientific evidence that links endocrine disruptors to obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes in humans. Other research has shown that male sperm count is dropping and that genital abnormalities in newborn boys are increasing.

This Rachel Carson Legacy Conference will look at the serious and urgent topic of endocrine disruptors in three parts: Policy, Science and Remedies.

Resources

Sustainable Community Essentials Resource Sheets available online

Toward cultivating greater capacity for sustainable practice around Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Sustainable Community Development Network of Sustainable Pittsburgh partnered with leading organizations to produce a new series of Sustainable Community Essentials Resource Sheets and a Rapid Assessment for communities. These resource sheets identify 14 essentials of a sustainable community - from Air Quality to Food Security to Governance - and provide an explanation of each topic and case studies – a perfect tool for community leaders to use as they work to improve their neighborhoods.

Car-Sharing and the Case for a “Low-Car Diet”

But the burden of living a sustainable life wholly without blemish, whatever that means, is in itself unsustainable -- at least for a person within arm's reach of mainstream American society. (Take a look at the very funny trailer for the upcoming documentary about the year Colin Beavan and his family spent when he decided to become No Impact Man.) Which brings us to today's post from the Streetsblog Network, from member blog BikePGH in Pittsburgh.

More

Raising the Green Bar again: from EcoDensity to "Greenest City"?

he Initiative strikes a chord with cities struggling with the "d-word", and the challenge of educating on the link between "density done well" and reducing a community or city's carbon footprint. The website was always meant to be a permanent record of the Initiative, with every report, video presentation and comment available for study for anyone who has the time and stamina - in essence, our wish was to do some of the "heavy lifting" for any other city with the will to tackle density discussions head-on, as we did. . . In truth, though, EcoDensity was just one more point in a long evolution of sustainable thinking here in Vancouver, over many generations.

White House to Push Forward on National Urban Policy Agenda

Those gathered Monday will consider local initiatives that could become best practices to emulate, with the goals of increasing the competitiveness, sustainable development and opportunity of metropolitan regions.

EPA Administrator Jackson: Clean Energy Act Is Best Chance to Preserve Public Health, Natural Environment

"Clean energy is to this decade and the next what the Space Race was to the 1950s and '60s, and America is behind. Governments in Asia and Europe are ahead of the United States in making aggressive investments in clean-energy technology,'' the Administrator observed, pointing out that the nation is also late in ''the task of leading the world's major greenhouse-gas emitters to reverse our collective emissions' growth in time to avert catastrophic climatic changes that would severely harm America's economy and national security within our children's lifetimes."

Changing Skyline: Reinventing a railroad

The recent restoration and reinvention of New York's High Line should go a long way toward opening people's eyes to the potential of those industrial relics. Built in the 1930s to supply the meatpackers and manufacturers on Manhattan's West Side, the abandoned rail line has just been repurposed as a glorious elevated park that offers a delightful new way to experience the city.

President Obama and the White House Office of Urban Affairs announce initial steps toward a national urban and metro agenda

The WHOUA and various cabinet secretaries will embark on a summer listening tour to “…lift up best practices from around the country” and gather suggestions for a national urban and metro agenda. The first three stops of this tour included Denver for its FasTracks program and commitment to linking transportation and housing, Kansas City to visit the comprehensive, neighborhood revitalization of the Green Impact Zone, and Philadelphia’s healthy program for low-income families through its “urban agriculture” programs such as City Harvest.

For information on becoming a Member of Sustainable Pittsburgh, please visit our website.

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Sustainable Pittsburgh affects decision-making in the Pittsburgh Region to integrate economic prosperity, social equity and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses.

Sustainable Pittsburgh benefits from support in 2009 from:

Bayer Corporation
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
Falk Foundation
FedEx Ground
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation
University of Pittsburgh
UPMC


Special thanks to the SP Members

Sustainable Pittsburgh
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1335
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 258-6642
fax (412) 258-6645
E-mail SP