The world in 2050 #ehi16

About twenty minutes ago, "The World in 2050: Creating/Imagining Just Climate Futures" opened. This is a totally online conference about, well, visions of just climate futures - how we might all live better lives in a warmer world. I tell you about this because:

1. If you follow this blog and/or my work, this is right up your alley, BUT it's a little different perspective on that alley, because this conference is primarily scholars from the humanities, not our usual architecture/landscape architecture/planning/environmental science crowd. Fresh insights guaranteed; just what you need on a Monday.
2. I'm presenting a new talk about a proposed course and the promise of interdisciplinary experiential learning, "Storefronts for Good: Local Action through Coursework." in Panel 13: Who Will Teach the Teachers? This marks my maiden voyage into online videos (so be kind), because...
3. This is a new kind of conference, totally online, almost totally carbon-neutral. As the conference organizers note, typical conferences have a big carbon footprint, especially due to all the travel involved. My own observation? The expense and time required by typical conferences exerts a substantial selection effect on who participates. This one is different and worth checking out for that reason alone. The good people at UCSB have provided guidance for anyone wanting to organize an online conference themselves. And also:
4. It's free, but you do have to register to participate in the discussions. And you should participate in the discussions, because that's kind of the point. Online discussion makes this conference exist.

Talks remain up and discussions active from now until Nov. 14. Keynotes (also available to you without charge!) by this fantastic lineup: Bill McKibben, Patrick Bond, Erik Assadourian, Margaret Klein Salamon, and Wen Stephenson. 

​Take a look - hope to see you there!