In
Atlanta , few people can utilize the limited alternative transportation
modes of heavy rail, shuttles and local buses to "finish their
trip" - or reach their destinations. In the future, commuter
train and rapid buses may be added, but there is a clear disconnect
which encourages people to remain wedded to their automobiles.
A
nonprofit group has recently completed a feasibility study
for placing a streetcar in the Peachtree corridor. This solution
could change the very character of movement and quality of
development in the City.
Join
us at the February Roundtable to hear the results of this
study and other developments from those behind the Peachtree
plans and proposals emerging elsewhere.
March
4, 2005
Is Atlanta
Ready for a Local Food Movement?
A strong
local food system enhances the economic, environmental,
social and nutritional health of a city. In addition to
stimulating demand for local produce and encouraging responsible
stewardship of the land, local food economies raise awareness
of our connection to ecosystems and reduce pressure on our
energy-intensive transportation systems. Furthermore, Atlanta
's rapid growth has prompted coalitions of developers, restaurateurs
and environmentalists to support initiatives that preserve
farmland and productive greenspace.
Join
us at the March Roundtable to hear how an increasing number
of local farmers markets, restaurants, community gardens
and consumer supported agriculture groups are helping ensure
food security for low-income families and support a sustainable
Atlanta region.
Sandra
Robertson -- Executive Director, Georgia Citizens
Coalition on Hunger
Barbara
Petit - Georgia Organics
Peggy
F. Barlett -Professor of Anthropology, Emory University
Marci
Reed , moderator -Southface
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April
1 , 2005
Atlantic
Station: An Update from Atlanta's Newest Zip Code
Atlantans
have been watching eagerly as the former Atlantic Steel
site transforms into a vibrant live-work-play community.
The 138-acre environmental redevelopment and reclamation
is the largest urban brownfield redevelopment in the country.
In addition to remediating soil contaminated by years of
industrial use, Atlantic Station and Jacoby Development
have ambitious plans for sustainability initiatives throughout
the project.
Come
to the April Roundtable to learn more about green building,
alternative energy and transportation plans that are making
Atlantic Station a national model for smart growth and sustainable
development.
Peter
Bahouth -- Sustainability Consultant, former Executive
Director of Greenpeace USA and The Turner Foundation
Glenn
Kurtz -- Vice President, Alternative Transportation
Solutions, Lanier Parking Systems
Brian
Leary, moderator -- Vice President of
Design and Development, Atlantic Station
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May
6, 2005
Technology
for Visioning Growth
During
2005, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is conducting
a process known as "Envision 6+" that will use new scenario
technology to engage the metro area in growth discussions.
The Georgia Conservancy has used similar technology to focus
on development options in smaller areas on the Georgia coast.
Join us at the May Roundtable to hear about this exciting
visioning process, and how these new tools can enhance citizen
participation and facilitate more effective discussions
on regional growth issues.
Patty McIntosh
-- Coastal Programs Director, The Georgia Conservancy
Mike
Alexander - Review Coordinator, Atlanta Regional
Commission
Dan Reuter, moderator
-Director, Land Use and Regional Planning, Atlanta
Regional Commission
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June
3, 2005
Bringing
Environmental Justice to the Table through the Precautionary
Principle
Amidst
scientific uncertainty about cause and effect, decisions
are continually made by public and private sector policy-makers
which adversely impact public and environmental health.
This risk management approach to decision-making is particularly
problematic in the face of the large-scale health disparities
and environmental injustice impacting low income and minority
communities.
The
Precautionary Principle is a framework used to guide decision-making
and action in order to satisfy environmental justice goals.
Join us at the Roundtable to hear how non-profit and government
organizations are using this tool to bring environmental
justice to the table in Metro Atlanta.
Dr. Miriam
Burnett - Director, Faith and the City, and the
Institute for Faith-Health Leadership
Emily Franzen
- Legal Fellow, UGA River Basin
Kike Ojo,
moderator - Environmental Justice Officer, Department
of Watershed Management, City of Atlanta
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July 8, 2005
Market Forces and Regulation: New Developments on the Water Conservation Front
While recent rains may make drought conditions seem a thing of the past, is it safe for Metro Atlantans to relax our efforts to ensure our region’s water supply? Outdoor watering restrictions are hardly enforced during warm summer months, and household conservation measures are rarely on homeowners’ minds. What’s more, these strategies are only a small part of the solution to our region’s water woes.
Join us at the July Roundtable to hear a panel of experts discuss market based, technological and land use planning ideas to address this critical issue.
Rick Brownlow--Planner, Atlanta Regional Commission
Ernest Earn--Implementation Coordinator, Watershed Protection
Branch, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Billy Hall--CEO, NewFields
Robert Reed, moderator--Principal, Preston & Reed
Sustainability Solutions
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August 2005
Helping Kids Breathe Easier: How Schools Can Work to Clean Atlanta's Air
It
is still ozone-alert season, and now it's also back-to-school time. New plans are underway to improve the air children breathe both in the classroom and on their journey to and from school.
Join us at the August Roundtable to learn how EPD's Adopt-A-School Bus and The Clean Air Campaign's Better Air Schools programs are working to reduce school bus emissions and student exposure to bad air.
Felicia Davis -Mothers and Others for Clean Air Program Manger, Georgia Conservancy
Ellen
Macht--Executive Director, The Clean Air Campaign
Diane Olansky-- Kids
Walk
Susan
Kidd, moderator--Sr.
Vice President, Georgia Conservancy
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October 2005
Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-energize America
At the October Roundtable we are pleased to present excerpts from "Kilowatt Ours," the latest environmental documentary from filmmaker Jeff Barrie.
Join us as we follow Jeff on his 18-month journey, from the coal mines of West Virginia to the solar panel fields of Florida, as he discovers solutions to America's energy dependency, and invites us to become part of a net-zero nation. A panel discussion will follow the presentation.
You’ll leave energized and ready to make a difference!
Panelists
Dr. Michael E. Chang—Senior Research Scientist, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, GA Tech
Danny Orlando—Energy Star Specialist, EPA Region IV
Jeff Barrie, moderator—Producer and Director
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November 2005
Cresting the Wave:
Green Building in Georgia Measures Up!
The U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild Expo comes to Atlanta in November, bringing 10,000 design and construction professionals from around the world. Greenbuild participants will learn about green building and sustainable development, and tour many of our state's green projects and communities.
One of Georgia's best kept secrets is that we often rank among the top ten states for innovation in sustainable development. Before the world comes to our door, join us at the Roundtable to hear how we are measuring up.
Panelists
Speakers--USGBC Atlanta Chapter Board of Directors
Laura Case, moderator--Greenbuild Host Co-Chair; Campus Environmental Officer, Emory University
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December 2005
Greywater and Rainwater Harvesting: Exemplary Projects and Lessons Learned
As our state continues to grow and prosper, construction codes have become a central issue for Georgia's local governments, building professionals and citizens. Have you ever wondered how Georgia's construction codes are developed and adopted? Our January Roundtable will explore the construction code process in Georgia, outlining the organizations responsible for managing processes, the national construction code standards used in Georgia and public participation in the adoption process.
From the layperson to the expert, come learn how you can be a part of a process that works!
Panelists
Rich Donaldson, PE, LEED AP--Associate, Johnson, Spellman & Associates, Inc.
Dan Gerding, AIA, LEED AP--Principal, Gerding Architects, LLC
Kerry Blind, moderator--FASLA, President, Ecos Environmental Design, Inc.
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