Schedule & Events

Gary Jacobs -
Climate Change: The Nexus of Energy, Carbon, and Water

Gary Jacobs - Director, Environmental Sciences Division, ORNL; PhD in geochemistry; will speak on the science of greenhouse warming and ORNL's activities in the area

Jackie Grebmeier -
Global change and the Arctic environment

Jackie Grebmeier - biological oceanographer (Ph.D is in Biological Oceanography from the University of Alaska Fairbanks). U.S. delegate to the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), a current member of the U.S. Polar Research Board of the National Academies, and served formerly as a Commissioner of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission following appointment by President Clinton. She has contributed to coordinated international and national science planning efforts including service on the steering committee for U.S. efforts during International Polar Year. Over the last twenty years she has participated in over 35 oceanographic expeditions on both US and foreign vessels, many as Chief Scientist, and she was the overall project lead scientist for the U.S. Western Arctic Shelf-Basin Interactions project, which is one of the largest U.S. funded global change studies completed in the Arctic, with extensive work in the Chukchi Sea. Her research includes studies of pelagic-benthic coupl i ng in marine systems, benthic carbon cycling, benthic faunal population structure, and polar ecosystem health, and she has published approximately 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers. A recent study in which she was lead author that was published in Science provides some of the first direct evidence for biological community responses to warming and oceanographic shifts in the Bering Sea ecosystem.

Dan Joranko -
Kilowatt Ours

Joranko - Kilowatt Ours (based in Nashville) promotes energy conservation and renewable power in the south. Will talk about experiences related to the documentary "Kilowatt Ours".

Robert Kennedy -
Alternative Energy in the Southeast

Robert Kennedy - professional engineer (mechanical engineering); holds master's degree in National Security Studies; professional experience includes robotics and space technologies; served as a Congressional Science Fellow (sponsored by American Society of Mechanical Engineers) working with the House Subcommittee on Space; currently consulting on energy efficiency and renewable resource policy and business development for Tetra Tech, Inc. Former president of Friends of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Katherine Medlock -
Our Green is Our Gold

Katherine Medlock - The Alliance for the Cumberlands is a partnership of public and private organizations unified in their commitment to protect the Cumberland Mountains and Plateau Region. The forests and waters of the Cumberlands are among the most biologically rich temperate-zone systems in the world. She will speak on networking between conservation, historic preservation, and tourism as paths to sustainability and economic development in our region.

Harry Quarles -
Controlling invasive plants on the Oak Ridge Reservation

Harry Quarles - Has PhD in ecology and JD (law) degree. Experience at ORNL includes the environmental restoration program, environmental impact assessment, and addressing challenges in ecological management of the Oak Ridge Reservation. Previous work experience in state government and in energy industry.

FuelEconomy.gov
website demonstration

FuelEconomy.gov - DOE website managed by ORNL. Save on fuel and reduce your carbon footprint by comparing the consumption of different vehicles, based on govermment estimates and data from actual drivers.

The End of Suburbia (78 minutes)

This film examines the problems inherent in sustaining the Suburban lifestyle so prevalent in American Society today.  With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, the film explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply.  The film discusses what can be done now, individually and collectively, to avoid the End of Suburbia.

Complimentary child care and a screening of Dr Seuss’ “The Lorax” will be provided as a service of the FUMC Social Concerns Committee.  Call 483-4357 to reserve a spot for your child.

Kilowatt Ours

Filmed by Nashville resident Jeff Barrie, “Kilowatt Ours” follows the efforts of the filmmaker and his wife to eliminate their use of non-renewable power by employing energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources.  Through their learning experience, viewers discover how they can save hundreds of dollars annually on energy bills and use a portion of the savings to purchase renewable energy.

Complimentary child care and a screening of Dr Seuss’ “The Lorax” will be provided as a service of the FUMC Social Concerns Committee.  Call 483-4357 to reserve a spot for your child.