|
Coulee Partners for Sustainability offers the following study circles and discussion courses throughout the year. If you would like to be kept aware of the offerings please contact Glen or Carolyn Jenkins at 608-782-5727 or cgjenks@earthlink.net.
If your book club, work place, church or other organization would like to offer one of these classes we can provide a facilitator for you at no expense.
Natural Step: A framework for building sustainable communities. It is a four-step process that has been implemented in communities all over the world since its inception in Sweden. It is designed to be applicable to any size municipality in any location. The principles for moving toward a sustainable society that were developed as a consensus by a Swedish children’s cancer doctor and researcher and 50 ecologists, chemists, physicists and medical doctors.
A framework of sustainability principles is needed so when community members dialogue, there is common language and common understanding. Swedish colleagues worked to identify what human activities were unsustainable over time and flaunted basic laws of physics, biology and ecology. Based on a clear understanding of what was unsustainable trends, an agreement emerged about four conditions that all need to be met in order for a society to be sustainable.
The Natural Step for Communities by Sarah James & Torbjorn Lahti examines how cities and towns can change to Sustainable Practices
The Natural Step for Business by Brian Nattrass & Mary Altomare
The Northwest Earth Institute is recognized as a national leader in the development of innovative programs that empower individuals and organizations to protect ecological systems.
Today, NWEI offers seven study guides for small groups. These self-guided discussion courses are offered in workplaces, homes, faith centers, neighborhoods, and community centers throughout North America.
NWEI programs encourage participants to explore their values, attitudes, and actions through discussion with other people. These programs are organized around three key principles:
- An earth-centered ethic promoting individual responsibility for the Earth.
- The practice of engaged simplicity to enrich life and reduce personal impact on the Earth.
- A dedication to living fully in place and protecting the unique bioregion in which you live.
NWEI's hallmark program is a series of discussion courses available for small groups anywhere in the United States. The courses provide an enjoyable, supportive setting in which to examine personal values and habits, engage in stimulating conversation, create meaningful community, and consider ways to take action towards creating a more sustainable future.
NWEI discussion course study guides are manuals for a self-facilitated course experience, taken informally by small groups in a home, at your workplace, your center of faith or, any place where people naturally gather.
There is no outside presenter or teacher of these discussion courses. Rather, anyone can organize a group in their community with the role of facilitator rotating with each meeting.
These programs emphasize individual responsibility, the importance of a supportive community, and the dual need to walk lightly on and to take action on behalf of the Earth.
- Global Warming: Changing CO2urse
A four-session course exploring the history and science of global warming, personal values and habits as they relate to climate change, and personal actions to curb the effects of global warming.
- Voluntary Simplicity
A seven-session course addressing the distractions of modern society that keep us from caring for ourselves, our relationships, and the environment.
- Choices for Sustainable Living
A seven-session course exploring the meaning of sustainable living and the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on ecological systems.
- Healthy Children - Healthy Planet
A seven-session course that discusses how the pervasive effects of advertising, media, and our consumer culture can influence a child's view of the world.
- Discovering a Sense of Place
A seven-session course focusing on knowing and protecting our place.
- Exploring Deep Ecology
An eight-session course addressing core values and how they affect the way we view and treat the earth.
- Globalization and Its Critics
An eight-session course exploring how global trade is affecting the environment, local economies, and social and cultural customs throughout the world.
- Menu for the Future
Explores food systems and their impacts on culture, society and ecological syatems.
- Eco Tips for Sustainable Living
One part of accepting responsibility for our planet is actively reducing your personal impact. To provide ideas on steps that can be taken, NWEI has prepared a series of eco-tip fact sheets.
|
