Go Green NJ: Statewide Initiative for Sustainability, April 24, 2009 at Bergen Community College

For registration, click here.

Conference Agenda

8:00-9:00 a.m. Light breakfast will be served.
9:00-9:15 a.m. Conference Opening Remarks
9:15-10:30 a.m Debra Rowe presents
"Education & Action for a Sustainable Future"
Urgent global issues require changes in higher education. Students today need to do more than acquire knowledge and critical analysis skills.
They also need systems thinking and change agent skills so they can effectively alter institutions and societal norms to help create a sustainable future. In the United States, over fifteen national higher education associations and over twenty national and international academic disciplinary associations are collaborating to include sustainability education as a core component of mission and planning, curricula, research, operations, facilities, student life and community partnerships. There are hundreds of examples at colleges and universities. Trends in the business and youth sectors are drivers of these changes. This presentation will describe the national trends occurring in the United States regarding sustainability education. Participants will receive informational resources outlining their possible next steps and possibilities for collaboration.

10:30-12:30 p.m Student Leader NJ Caucus
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
10:30-11:15 a.m. Gray Russell presents
Workshop I - The Essentials of Home Composting

This workshop explains the five essentials of sucessful composting, the many uses of compost, and the appropriate bin section and placement. The discussion will also include vermicomposting for indoor gardening. Composting is good for your soil and good for your soul! As a participant, you will leave this workshop with a wonderful sense of humus.

11:30-12:15 p.m. Ed Schwartz presents
Workshop II - Home Energy Conservation

Find out how what you can do to reduce energy use significantly in your home, while increasing safety, health and comfort at the same time. Hear about the most common problem spots, learn how to identify them, and how to make improvements that will help your home reduce its carbon footprint.

12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch and Networking (Topic Tables)
1:30-2:15 p.m. Kevin Lyons & Magda Comeau presents
"Green Purchasing at Rutgers University"
The Rutgers University Green Purchasing Program aims to change the mindset on- and off-campus with regard to sustainability. Through the use of its Green Purchasing Policy and through RFP/Contract writing techniques, Rutgers is methodically changing the perception of "a good buy". Whether you are an individual consumer making a purchase or a multi-million-dollar manufacturing giant fabricating a product, your actions matter! We all have a role to play, what's yours?

2:15-3:00 p.m. Dr. Tait Chirenje presents
"Greening Our Lives: An Exploration of Approaches by Communities and Individuals"
Dr. Chirenje will discuss some of the innovative and simple approaches taken by communities and individuals to green their lives. Examples will include the town of Robbinsville (formerly Washington), incentives from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), and various residents who have successfully used geothermal, wind, hydrogen and other alternative energy sources (or carriers). Dr. Chirenje will also discuss some of the incentives provided by the state and what individuals can do to promote sustainability in their communities.

3:00-3:45 p.m. Constantinos Papademas presents
Workshop III - Residential Solar Power Systems

As solar technologies advance and the cost to purchase and install the special equipment needed to collect sunlight decreases, states are beginning to look at policies to address, allow and encourage the growing use of solar energy. This workshop is great for people who are seeking employment within the growing solar industry, wanting to install it on their own home, or are interested in learning more about this amazing technology. Familiarize yourself with the skills necessary to design and safely install all three types of solar-electric systems: batteryless grid-tie, grid-tie with battery back-up, and stand-alone systems.