Sustainable Pittsburgh

Inspire Speakers Series: Walter Hood, Stacy Levy, and Alisha B. Wormsley
2018-11-08 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at the Kaufmann Center, 1825 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
How can an urban landscape preserve its community’s history and ecological story, all while celebrating the future?
Green Building Alliance’s Inspire Speakers Series returns with renowned landscape designer Walter Hood, environmental sculptor Stacy Levy, and interdisciplinary artist and cultural producer Alisha B. Wormsley who will share their experiences capturing the multi-faceted stories of urban spaces. Levy’s work includes the Rain Ravine at the Frick Environmental Center. Wormsley’s body of work includes There Are Black People in the Future and The People Are the Light. Hood, who works across the country, has deep connections to Pittsburgh as he led the Green Print master plan for the Hill District and is the commissioned artist for that neighborhood’s Curtain Call community art project. As always, the inspiring conversation comes with dinner, drinks, and a warm and inclusive community atmosphere.

Etna Ecodistrict Education Series: Social Equity
2018-11-07 18:30 - 20:30 | Fugh Hall, 27 Crescent St., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Learn about equity, including a discussion of what resources and opportunities are needed to improve quality of life for Etna residents, Etna’s equity-related initiatives, and share your vision for Etna’s equitable future.

Madame Athena Chang: How to Be Healthy, Happy & Beautiful
2018-11-07 08:00 - 10:00 | August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Women for a Healthy Environment is holding a fun and informative event with International Health and Wellness Expert Madame Athena Chang. She will discuss the risks to health from beauty products like hair relaxers and skin lighteners and the toxic and increasing chances for disease.
Food and local vendors will be onsite.
All are welcome to attend.

Building Re-Tuning: an Energy Sustainability Series
2018-11-06 00:00 - 23:59 | Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, 1040 Eberly Way, Lemont Furnace, PA|PA
Building Re-Tuning Workshop: 1 of 3
Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program
Fay-Penn Business Event Center
Fayette County, PA 15146
FREE
Please join PennTAP for the first of three Building Re-Tuning (BRT) workshops being offered at the Fay-Penn Business Event Center. The November workshop will focus on the fundamentals of BRT, including energy benchmarking and creating an energy-conscious facility.
BRT is a systematic low cost/no cost approach to ensure that buildings are operating at maximum efficiency. BRT can reduce facility energy costs for government buildings, community colleges, or K–12 schools.
The BRT workshop includes a webinar, guest speakers, and two building walk-throughs in regional facilities. The webinar will be made available the week of October 29, and is intended to be a prerequisite to the workshop.
Space is limited, so register early!

A Conversation with Melanie Harrington
2018-11-05 17:00 - 19:00 | 20 Stanwix Street, 20 Stanwix Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
A Conversation with…MELANIE HARRINGTON
President & Chief Executive Officer, VIBRANT PITTSBURGH
Meet Melanie – serving as the first President and CEO of Vibrant Pittsburgh, a nonprofit economic development organization that was established to build a more diverse and inclusive Pittsburgh region by spearheading initiatives to attract, retain, and elevate a diverse workforce. Vibrant Pittsburgh recently published a Diversity and Inclusion Guidebook that presents real world examples of how Pittsburgh-based companies improved operational performance through Diversity and Inclusion practices.
Melanie received her Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in Psychology.
The conversation welcomes interviewer: ULI Member, Dusty Elias Kirk, Partner, Global Practice Group Leader for Real Estate, ReedSmith LLP

What to Expect When Fracking Is Your Neighbor in Indiana Twp.
2018-11-01 19:00 - 20:30 | 1220 Powers Run Rd, 1220 Powers Run Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
The natural gas industry has begun work on 8 natural gas wells in Indiana Township, Pennsylvania. Moms Clean Air Force – PA will share insights into what has happened to date and how to join together to protect all the communities in the area.
Come out for a discussion on how to protect your family and community.
Speakers are:
•Patrice Tomcik, Moms Clean Air Force, “Fracking 101 Review”
•Fox Chapel Area Fracking Safety Awareness Group, “Community Updates”
•Nathan Ribar, Environmental Health Project, “Health Protections”
•Lisa Graves Marcucci, Environmental Integrity Project, “Community Protections”

PCCA Floodplain Management Course
2018-10-29 08:00 - 2018-11-01 17:00 | Lawrence County Dept. of Public Safety, 1451 County Line Road, New Castle, PA|PA
Floodplain Management Course 273
PA Construction Codes Academy
This is the field deployed version of the FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) MI E273 course. This course is designed to provide an organized training opportunity for local officials responsible for administering their local floodplain management ordinance. The course will focus on the NFIP and concepts of floodplain management, maps and studies, ordinance administration, and the relationship between floodplain management and flood insurance.
This course is intended for local officials responsible for administering local floodplain management ordinances, including but not limited to floodplain management administrators, building inspectors, code enforcement/zoning officers, conservation agents and commissioners, planners, city/county managers, attorneys, engineers, and public works officials. Federal/State/regional floodplain managers also are encouraged to attend. The course is designed for those officials with less than 3 years of floodplain management experience.

Healthy Schools Summit 2018
2018-10-26 08:30 - 15:30 | Pattan Center, 3190 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh
The Healthy Schools Summit invites attendees to participate in a learning opportunity to promote green and healthy learning environments. The summit will address key issues in indoor air quality, green cleaning, and school renovations, as well as interactive activities with a STEAM Curriculum workshop and Grant-Writing and Communications panel to help community members implement sustainable practices.
Featured Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Stephanie Chalupka, RN
Fred Remelius, Director of Operations at Upper Merion School District
Mary Ann Settlemye, EPA Environmental Educator of the Year

All are welcome to attend.
Contact Kara Rubio, Healthy Schools PA Coordinator with questions at kara@womenforahealthyenvironment.org.

Nicaraguan Coffee Tasting with Cooperative Aldea Global
2018-10-25 18:00 - 20:00 | The Global Switchboard, 305 34th Street, Pittsburgh, PA|PA
Taste the coffee and meet the leaders and farmers behind the internationally recognized Nicaraguan coffee cooperative, Aldea Global, during an interactive tasting and light reception.
Social impact investor Oikocredit is teaming up with Building New Hope, a Pittsburgh based non-profit who collaborates with Central Americans to build sustainable livelihoods, to introduce you to the delicious taste and compelling stories behind quality organic coffee and the communities that produce it.
Maria Mercedes Aleman will join us from the Jinotega region of Nicaragua to share the stories and experience of Aldea Global. Aldea is a recognized leader not only in producing delicious coffee but in building strong and thriving communities where women own land and hold positions of leadership, where farmers retain more of their profits, and where a diverse array of community programs contribute to a sustainable and productive future.

Making the Connection: Manganese Exposure and Children’s IQ
2018-10-25 17:00 - 20:00 | Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, 300 Halket St, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Manganese is an essential additive in the steel making process, with as much as 90% of manganese consumption worldwide being used by the steel industry alone. Throughout this process stray manganese particles escape into the air. These particles are related to a variety of adverse health effects, and are especially harmful to the central nervous system. During this presentation, Drs. Erin Haynes and Vincent Schmithorst will discuss the links between manganese in air pollution to neurodevelopment and lowered IQ in children.
Dr. Haynes, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, will discuss her research on impacts of manganese in two Appalachian communities in Ohio. Dr. Schmithorst, of UPMC Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, will discuss how advanced MRI imagining can be used to further understand the relation between neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental outcome.
This event is part of GASP’s Making the Connection series, intended for medical professionals as well as community members interested in learning more about the links between air pollution and various health problems. It will begin with an hour of networking and refreshments from 5pm-6pm outside of the Hutchinson and Hayashi Auditorium, before moving into the auditorium for the main program. Walk in registration is welcomed.

The Perils of Plastics in Pittsburgh & Beyond: A Freshwater Perspective
2018-10-24 11:30 - 13:00 | PNC Park, 115 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA|PA
A Heinz Awards Conversation in partnership with The Pittsburgh Collaboratory for Water and The Heinz Endowments:
“The Perils of Plastics in Pittsburgh & Beyond: A Freshwater Perspective”

By Sherri Mason, Ph.D.
Professor, State University of New York at Fredonia
23rd Heinz Awards Recipient for Public Policy
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
FREE
RSVP
Left Field Lounge at PNC Park
115 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Join us for a presentation and conversation with Dr. Sherri Mason, professor of chemistry and chair of the department of geology and environmental science at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Dr. Mason gained initial recognition as the first to research and identify microplastics pollution in the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system in the world. Her work has drawn international attention to the threats posed by microplastics in freshwater and led to the passage of state measures banning microbeads (extremely small pieces of plastic used in cleansing products as exfoliating agents) and to the enactment of the federal Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015.
This community event is a must for anyone concerned about the environmental and public health impact of plastics pollution.
Limited space. Please register by October 12. There is no registration fee to attend.
Please call 412.497.5787 or email Lisa Giorgetti with any questions regarding the event.

Climate & Clean Energy Policy in Pennsylvania: Overview & Opportunities for Business Engagement
2018-10-22 13:00 - 14:00
WEBINAR:

The time is ripe for progress on clean energy policy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Once an early leader in promoting clean energy, Pennsylvania is falling behind its neighbors in clean energy deployment and addressing climate change. 2018 was a big year for clean energy wins in the Keystone State, such as the passage of C-PACE, stronger energy efficiency building codes, and legislation promoting in-state solar. As we look toward 2019, Pennsylvania businesses can play a key role in supporting the advancement of smart climate and energy policies.
Please join Ceres and E2 on Monday, October 22nd for an overview of the clean energy landscape in Pennsylvania. We will take a closer look at existing climate, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation policies in the state. We will also examine opportunities to advance policies through coordinated business engagement, storytelling, and advocacy.

Environmental Film Series Screening: "Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution"
2018-10-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Phipps Conservatory - Botany Hall Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Filmmaker James Redford embarks on a colorful personal journey into the dawn of the clean energy era as it creates jobs, turns profits and makes communities stronger and healthier across the United States. Unlikely entrepreneurs in communities from Georgetown, TX to Buffalo, NY reveal pioneering clean energy solutions while James’ discovery of how clean energy works, and what it means at a personal level, becomes the audiences’ discovery too. Reaching well beyond a great story of technology and innovation, Happening explores issues of human resilience, social justice, embracing the future and finding hope for our survival.
Following the film, join in on discussion led by staff from Conservation Consultants, Inc. (CCI). Founded in 1978 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, CCI’s mission is to help families create healthier homes and get energy smarter. CCI achieves its mission through education and the identification of efficiency improvements that helps its customers save money by reducing utility bills, improve personal comfort, health and safety, increase awareness of the positive benefits to our economy and national security afforded by energy efficiency and renewable energy, and protect and preserve the environment by reducing the use of natural resources.
Tickets are required.

FREE Downstream screening
2018-10-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Center for Media Innovation, Point Park University, 305 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Pennsylvania’s endangered watersheds is the focus of “Downstream,” a half-hour documentary produced by Point Park University’s School of Communication Environmental Journalism program, in association with WQED Multimedia, and made possible through a grant from Heinz Endowments.
Join the group from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11 for a premiere screening event of the film followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers at the Center for Media Innovation. Registration is free.

SP Challenge Workshop: 3rd Quarter Celebration and Sustainability Fair
2018-10-11 16:30 - 18:30 | Couch Brewery, 1351 Washington Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
The yearlong Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge is entering its final quarter. Relax, play and engage with the Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge, and find out what the “Challengers” have accomplished so far.
Network with organizations that are working to improve the region’s sustainability performance and engage with interactive displays and activities. Participants will receive an “activity passport” upon entry, and are invited to visit each activity table to complete the passport for a prize drawing. Attendees should be sure to visit the SP Challenge table, where exciting opportunities to earn bonus points in the Challenge will be available. For those interested, the SP Challenge team will also connect participants with resources to make the coming holiday season more sustainable at home.
The evening event will conclude with special recognition for the organizations that have earned Achievement Ribbons during the third quarter of the competition. Participants are welcome to stay afterwards for Couch Brewery’s movie night, complete with popcorn and comfortable seating.
Admission includes 2 drink tickets.
