Sustainability Events, 2/27 - 3/04

Elinor Ostrom: "Updating the Theory of Collective Action and the Commons"

Thursday, March 1 at 4:10 p.m.
Black Cultural Center Auditorium
Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom is the first woman to win the prize in economics (2009). Ostrom was recognized by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for her analysis of economic governance, especially the commons.

Ostrom is the author of several books, including Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action (1990), and coeditor of several collections, including Working Together: Collective Action, the Commons, and Multiple Methods in Practice, with Amy R. Poteete and Marco A. Janssen (2010).

This event is a part of the "Commons: History, Sustainability, Activism" lecture series and is free and open to the public. Cosponsors: The American Studies Sustainability Project, Department of Political Science, Medicine Health and Society, and the Center for the Study of Democratic Institution.

Green Bag Luncheon Series: Green Spring Cleaning

Wednesday, February 29 at 12:00pm
Sarratt 189
Presenter: Megan Morton, Pro Utilitas

Sponsored by the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and the American Studies Sustainability Project, the Green Bag luncheon series focuses on the environment and sustainability, both at work and at home. This educational series features informal lunchtime discussions and/or workshops – from sustainable food and dining choices to backyard composting to utility savings at home and work and much more. So bring your lunch and join us to learn interesting ways to incorporate sustainability into your life!

For more information or to view past Green Bag sessions, visit, www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/, or contact SEMO.

Opening of Living Light House

Wednesday, 29 February, 2012, 5:30-7:00 PM
Centennial Park
Living Light, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's solar-powered house, is moving to Nashville as part of a multi-city tour of the state. The 750-square-foot home will be featured at the Tennessee Valley Authority Energy Efficiency Forum Feb. 21-22. The Living Light house will then be on display at Centennial Park from Feb. 29 to April 1. The house will be open for public tours from 1 to 6 p.m. on most Fridays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Living Light placed eighth overall in the U.S. Department of Energy's 2011 Solar Decathlon, an international competition in which collegiate teams design, build and run energy-efficient, solar-powered homes. The home showcases how solar technology can maximize energy efficiency and sustainability. It also demonstrates how thoughtful design and technology can be used to create greater efficiencies in homes and businesses. "We are using the Living Light house as way to directly demonstrate to Tennesseans how to build or retrofit buildings to create sustainable buildings that create energy savings," said Edgar Stach, professor at UT's College of Architecture and Design.

Additional educational events about the project are being held in conjunction with tours of the home, as listed below.

• February 29: Living Light House opening reception; Centennial Park, 2600 W. End Ave, Nashville; 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
• March 23: Luncheon with the US Green Building Council, Middle Tennessee Chapter; Adventure Science Center, 800 Ft. Negley Blvd., Nashville; 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; James Rose, LEED AP, will give a case study of the Living Light project.

For more information and updates, visit http://livinglightutk.com/tennessee-tour. Living Light was completed by the UT College of Architecture and Design in collaboration with nine UT academic disciplines, including engineering and business. Its transformation to an educational exhibition through the Tennessee Tour is a joint effort of the UT College of Architecture and Design and UT Extension, the outreach unit of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Collaborators include TVA and other corporate and alumni partners.

Coming in March

Green Bag Luncheon Series: Sustainable Landscaping and Gardening

Wednesday, March 28 at 12:00pm, Sarratt 189
Presenters: Julie Berbiglia, Metro Water Services; Mark Kerske, Gardens of Babylon

Sponsored by the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and the American Studies Sustainability Project, the Green Bag luncheon series focuses on the environment and sustainability, both at work and at home. This educational series features informal lunchtime discussions and/or workshops – from sustainable food and dining choices to backyard composting to utility savings at home and work and much more. So bring your lunch and join us to learn interesting ways to incorporate sustainability into your life!

For more information or to view past Green Bag sessions, visit, www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/, or contact SEMO.

David Bollier: "The Commons as a Counterpoint to the Market/State Duopoly"

Thursday, March 29, 2012, 4:10 p.m.
Black Cultural Center Auditorium
David Bollier is an American activist, writer, and policy strategist. He is Senior Fellow at the Norman Lear Center at the USC Annenberg School for Communication, collaborates frequently with television writer/producer Norman Lear, and writes technology-related reports for the Aspen Institute. Bollier is also editor of On the Commons where he frequently writes. Bollier calls his work “focused on reclaiming the commons, understanding how digital technologies are changing democratic culture, fighting the excesses of intellectual property law, fortifying consumer rights and promoting citizen action.” Bollier co-founded the public interest group Public Knowledge and serves as a board member.

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Upcoming Events

2/29 12:00 p.m.
Green Bag Luncheon Series: Green Spring Cleaning

2/29 5:30 p.m.
Opening of Living Light House

3/1 4:10 p.m.
Elinor Ostrom, Nobel Laureate in Economics: Updating the Theory of Collective Action and the Commons

3/29 4:10 p.m.
David Bollier, The Commons as a Counterpoint to the Market/State Duopoly