Lectures focus on sustainability

The University of Montana and the National Center for Appropriate Technology will jointly present a lecture series this fall on sustainable communities: their housing, energy, transportation, agriculture, economy and environment.

By SHERRY DEVLIN of the Missoulian

Open to the public at no cost, the lectures run from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays in the Gallagher Building, Room 123, at UM. (The Nov. 7 lecture is the exception; it will be held in the North Underground Lecture Hall.)

Here is the schedule of topics and speakers:

Sept. 17: "Addressing Climate Change: New Opportunities for Northwest Communities," Paul Horton, Climate Solutions.

Sept. 24: "Energy Patterns: Renewable by Design," Dale Horton, Sustainable Energy Program, National Center for Appropriate Technology.

Oct. 1: "Lighten Up: Getting Serious About Sustainability with the Ecological Footprint," Mathis Wackernagel, author and sustainability program director for Redefining Progress.

Oct. 8: "Thriving Communities in the Big Sky: Making Montana’s Smart Growth Future a Reality," Tim Davis, Montana Smart Growth Coalition.

Oct. 15: "Sustainable and Affordable Housing: Lessons from HomeWORD," Ren Essene, HomeWORD.

Oct. 22: "Europe’s Urban Ecology: A View from Montana," Steve Loken, Loken Buildings and the National Audubon Society.

Oct. 29: "Moving Missoula: Models for Achieving Sustainable Transportation," Bob Giordano, FreeCycles and the Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation.

Nov. 7: "Designing a World that Works," David Orr, author and chair of the environmental studies program at Oberlin College.

Nov. 12: "From Recycling to Ecodemia: The Maturing of the Campus Environmental Movement," Betsy Hands, graduate studies, UM Environmental Studies Program.

Nov. 19: "Sex, Goats and Desolation: Transforming Your Relationship with Agriculture, Community and Local Economies," Tom Elliot, Community Alliance for Interdependent Agriculture.

Dec. 3: "Commerce and the Sustainable Community," Susan Anderson, UM School of Business.

Dec. 10: "Measuring Sustainability: Indicators as a Strategic Tool," Greg Oliver, Missoula City-County Health Department.