At its meeting last evening (Dec. 5, 2017), Buncombe County commissioners passed the resolution to commit to 100% renewable energy for County properties by 2030, and in the county in 25 years! Thanks to all who wrote, who called, who came and spoke, and who have supported this effort since we joined together. And THANKS must go to the high school and college students who collected 1800 signatures among them and spoke so compellingly about their commitment to get to

First Congregational UCC, 20 Oak St., Asheville Oct. 29, 3-6pm Join us for a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Tomorrow,’ which takes a proactive and hopeful approach to the many pressing environmental issues we currently face. The film has been called “required viewing for anyone wondering what they could do to pitch in and save the planet.” Following the screening we will divide into 5 topical ‘idea incubators’, focusing on the main topical areas it covers: Agriculture, Energy, Economy, Democracy,

Kim Stanley Robinson strikes again with this 2017 sci-fi look at New York 2140, after the climate disasters (50 foot sea level rise and massive hurricanes) strike. That’s to be expected from Time magazine’s 2008 “Hero of the Environment”. What’s perhaps new from him is the clear explanation of banking and finance, and how they corrupt the market and politics to the detriment of the world’s people. That much alone made it a worthwhile read for me. Add likable characters,

Sharing Cities (Transition US Presentation July 2017)

How to get media attention for your community project, action, or event

The City of Asheville, North Carolina Climate Bill of Rights Ordinance Establishing a Community Climate Bill of Rights for the People of the City of Asheville, North Carolina, which Prohibits Activities and Projects that would Violate the Bill of Rights, and which Provides for a Sustainable Energy Policy and Enforcement of the Bill of Rights Against Private and Public Corporations Engaged in Prohibited Activities and Projects Whereas, this community finds that continued reliance on fossil fuels violates the right of

August 14 Transition Asheville Social, 6:30 – 8pm St. Mary’s Episcopal Church’s parish hall, off of north Charlotte st. Parks, greenways, right-of ways, even the areas around public buildings need landscaping and maintenance. We already budget for this, so why not grow something useful in these spaces? How about something tasty and nutritious, made available to all? In Asheville and beyond we have seen a GROWING interest in fresh, local food, and for many good reasons. Can the concept of

August 3rd — First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Oak Street, Asheville, NC. From 6:30 until 8:00 pm: “Energy 2050: Understanding the Present Reality and Possible Futures of the US Energy System” with Dr. Daniel Vermeer We are rapidly running out of time to address climate change by decarbonizing our energy system – and the stakes could not be higher, profoundly impacting our climate and natural resources, economy, and quality of life. By framing our energy decisions in the

August 3 — First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Oak Street, Asheville, NC. Noon till 1:30pm “Effective Advocacy for Environmental Justice: Lunch with Thomas Lodwick of the Southern Environmental Law Center” Please join the Creation Justice Network of the United Church of Christ, Creation Care Alliance of WNC, and First Congregational UCC for a brown-bag lunchtime discussion by SELC attorney Thomas Lodwick on the most challenging environmental issues facing our state today, and ways in which we can become

July 17 — Do you know about the Asheville TimeBank? This local project initiated from a Transition gathering a couple of years ago and now has 165 members who have shared 1806 hours of assistance to one another. Janet Black, organizer of the project will share what time banking is about and how this project is impacting our community and its resilience. 6:30 until 8pm at the St. Mary’s episcopal Church’s parish hall, 337 N. Charlotte St. (enter at Evelyn