UNCA's NEMAC Hosts Chocolate Friday on Urban Sustainability

Chocolate Friday is a research and idea-sharing event sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Asheville's National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC). Typically, each Chocolate Friday features presentations from NEMAC staff, UNCA faculty, student researchers, and visiting professionals. The event is open to anyone who is interested. This academic year, Chocolate Fridays are scheduled to be held from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce in their Board Room, located on Montford Ave. The spring schedule includes a variety of themes, and will attract individuals from our greater community.

And yes, chocolate is served!

The second Chocolate Friday of 2008 is February 22 and features four presentations on Urban Sustainability: The Built Environment:

Sustainability in Asheville Policy Making

Robin Cape, Asheville City Council
How does a local city council member use sustainability as a decision making model for her votes on local policies? What does sustainability look like through the political lens?

The Contribution of Eco-Neighborhoods to Urban Sustainability
Bill Fleming, Westwood Cohousing Community
This presentation will focus on a path toward sustainability. Bill will discuss eco-neighborhoods and eco-villages as paradigm-shifting interventions in response to climate, energy, and water limits to growth.

Adding Up the Built Environment
Joe Minicozzi, Projects Director, Public Interest Projects
In assessing the built environment, especially with an eye toward sustainability, one has to be cognizant of the current practice of urban design and what one is shooting for in the built environment. Does policy and practice of city making meet the goals of the Asheville community and is it sustainable? Joe will present the work of the Asheville Design Center in addition to other works of planning and design to highlight the current practice of urbanism in the context of sustainability.

The Youth Climate Movement: Mobilizing for the 21st Century and Beyond
Ellie Johnston, Co-Chair of Active Students for a Healthy Environment (ASHE)
The youth of our nation are quickly becoming organized and stepping up to the challenge of global climate change. In the past year alone youth have mobilized in unprecedented numbers to fight against climate change and for a sustainable future. This presentation will overview the dynamics of the growing Youth Climate Movement as well as review some of its milestones at the national and state level, as well as on UNC Asheville's campus.

Stay tuned for more Chocolate Fridays in 2008!

March 28: Water Resources

April 25: Land Use Planning

WHERE: The Chamber of Commerce

36 Montford Ave , Asheville 28801

WHEN: 3:00-5:00 on Fridays
(check the schedule for upcoming days)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Susan Weatherford (250-3890)