Clean Energy Springfield

That's right. Earth Day is no more. We have Earth Week now! In fact, there's so much going on that its more like Earth Month for all of April. I'm listing all the events I know about so far. Tell me if you know of any events I missed.

Showing of the movie Power Shift and panel discussion.
Wednesday, April 11, 7:00pm
Lincoln Library, Carnegie Room
This is one of the Step It Up events going on around the country. From the film website: "Circling the globe, POWER SHIFT explores the remarkable ways that energy touches our daily lives. Hosted and narrated by Cameron Diaz, this award-winning program reveals the abundant possibilities of clean, renewable energy."

After the movie there will be a panel discussion related to issues in the film.
Panelists include:
Dr. Tih-Fen Ting, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at UIS
Jim Johnston of Sustainable Springfield Inc.
Greg Claxton from Clean Energy Springfield
Moderated by Catherine O'Connor from the Sierra Club

Edens Lost & Found, Chicago: City of the Big Shoulders
Thursday, April 12, Reception at 6:00pm, Screening at 7:00pm
"This multi-part PBS series highlights practical solutions to improve the environment and quality of life in cities, for ourselves and future generations. The centerpiece of a multimedia program and outreach initiative, this special broadcast will showcase extraordinary community activists as well as forward-thinking professionals who are offering best practice solutions to transform their urban environments." This complimentary screening will feature and Q & A session with series producer Harry Wiland.

Step It Up Rally
Saturday, April 14, Noon-1:00pm
Federal Building, 6th & Monroe, Springfield.
Step It Up is organizing over a thousand rallies across the United States.

"Every group will be saying the same thing: Step it up, Congress! Enact immediate cuts in carbon emissions, and pledge an 80% reduction by 2050. No half measures, no easy compromises-the time has come to take the real actions that can stabilize our climate."

Winona LaDuke
Tuesday, April 17, 7:30-9:00pm
Studio Theater, Public Affairs Center, UIS campus
Winona LaDuke was already well known for her work on environmental and Native-American issues when Ralph Nader asked her to be his Presidential running-mate in 1996 and 2000. The topic of her talk is "Politics, Women, and Environmental Justice."

Election Day
Tuesday, April 17
Remember to Vote!

"The Future of Renewable Energy in Illinois" panel discussion
Thursday, April 19, 7:00-9:00pm
Brookens Auditorium, UIS campus
One nice thing about UIS expanding is the opportunities provided to hear great speakers and new ideas in the community. This should be an exciting panel that will include perspectives from both sides of the ethanol debate. The panel includes:
Rebecca Stanfield, State Director, Environment Illinois
John Caupert, Director, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center, Edwardsville, Illinois
David Pimentel, Professor of Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Cornell University
Tih-Fen Ting, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, UIS, moderator
Before the panel, SAGE is sponsoring a picnic and concert with the band Patchouli, 5-6:30pm.

CWLP Smart Energy Forum
Thursday, April 19, 6 p.m.
Illinois National Bank Conference Center, 431 S. 4th St., Springfield
This public meeting is your chance to let Springfield's utility know what direction you want them to take with their energy conservation programs and related issues.

Earth To America
Sunday, April 22, 7:00pm
Lincoln Residence Hall, UIS Campus
UIS SAGE is sponsoring a showing of the film Earth To America.

Becki Clayborn presentation at the Sangamon Valley Group Sierra Club Meeting
Tuesday, April 24, 7:00pm
Becki Clayborn, Regional Representative with the Sierra Club’s Midwest Clean Energy Campaign, will be giving an overview of Smart Energy Solutions for Global Warming and how Illinois can help move the US toward a cleaner energy future. The presentation will describe the major sources of global warming emissions in Illinois and how the Sierra Club is working to reduce those emissions. Becki will talk specifically about the five C’s of Illinois Sierra Club’s Clean Energy Campaign: Cars, Cool Cities, Coal Power, Carbon regulation and Clean Energy.

Green Building Seminars with speaker Ron Jones
Thursday, April 26th
I'm especially excited to see the Springfield Area Home Builders Association sponsor an event like this. You'll need to register in advance with the SAHBA. From their website: "Ron Jones of HGTV and Green Building Magazine. Ron was named 2006 Green Advocate of the year (builder) by the NAHB and the National Green Builders Conference. Jones is a co-founder of Green Builder Media, LLC, a leading development, education, consulting and media organization and frequently participates in green-building workshops."

Earth Awareness Fair
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Expo Building
This is the official Earth Day celebration for Springfield. Besides information from just about every environmental group in town, they'll have programs from the Illinois Raptor Center, free trees, live music, a freecycle garage sale, recycling for various items like printer cartridges and used cell phones, and all kinds of fun stuff.

This was cross-posted from CES Blog.