Sustainable Pittsburgh

Mitigating Climate Change by Transitioning to a Renewable Resource-Based Economy
2018-02-26 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | University of Pittsburgh William Pitt Union, 3959 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
A lecture by:
Dr. Steven Cohen
Executive Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University
Climate change is the first widely recognized global crisis of environmental sustainability. Its solution requires the implementation of a transition from a fossil-fuel based energy economy to one built on renewable resources. This transition requires the development and diffusion of new technologies. The technological challenges of this transition will require significant political, organizational and financial resources and capacities. This talk will discuss the challenges of this transition and outline a path for meeting these challenges by the middle of the 21st century.
This lecture is free and open to the public but space is limited.
Monday, February 26th
2:00 PM
William Pitt Union, Assembly Room
University of Pittsburgh, Oakland Campus

2018 One Health One Planet Symposium: Opening Reception and Keynote
2018-03-07 16:00 - 20:00 | Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park, PA, United States
The theme of the 2018 One Health One Planet symposium will be Health Impacts: Chemicals of Concern in the Environment, with a special focus on endocrine disruptors.
Opening Reception and Keynote Wed., March 7; 5 – 9 p.m.
Symposium Thurs., March 8; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
We are seeing unprecedented changes in the earth’s environmental and physical processes. Climate change, air pollution, reduced availability of clean water, and persistent toxic chemicals threaten human, animal, and environmental health and well-being.
To build a shared interdisciplinary vision of “health” and serve as a catalyst for positive change, Phipps Conservatory brings together leaders to explore global and local environmental issues and their effects on human, animal and environmental health through the One Health Initiative. One Health is a movement that is forging a new level of collaboration among physicians, veterinarians, scientific-health and environmentally-related disciplines. Thought leaders from disparate fields promote strategies to expand interdisciplinary understanding and communication in all aspects of healthcare for humans, animals and the environment.
For a full list of speakers and additional details, please visit the event webpage.

2018 One Health One Planet Symposium Health Impacts: Chemicals of Concern in the Environment
2018-03-08 07:00 - 16:00 | Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park, PA, United States
Opening Reception and Keynote Wed., March 7; 5 – 9 p.m.
Symposium Thurs., March 8; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Pittsburgh, PA
We are seeing unprecedented changes in the earth’s environmental and physical processes. Climate change, air pollution, reduced availability of clean water, and persistent toxic chemicals threaten human, animal, and environmental health and well-being.
To build a shared interdisciplinary vision of “health” and serve as a catalyst for positive change, Phipps Conservatory brings together leaders to explore global and local environmental issues and their effects on human, animal and environmental health through the One Health Initiative. One Health is a movement that is forging a new level of collaboration among physicians, veterinarians, scientific-health and environmentally-related disciplines. Thought leaders from disparate fields promote strategies to expand interdisciplinary understanding and communication in all aspects of healthcare for humans, animals and the environment.
Keynote Speaker: Pete Myers, Ph.D.
Speakers
Jennifer Adibi, M.P.H., Sc.D. — Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
Val Beasley, D.V.M., Ph.D. — Professor of Veterinary, Wildlife, and Ecological Toxicology, Pennsylvania State University
Vicki Blazer, Ph.D. — Research Fish Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Bruce Blumberg, Ph.D. — Professor, Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine
Aly Cohen, M.D., F.A.C.R., FABoIM — Founder and Medical Director, The Smart Human™
Matthew DeNardo, Ph.D. — Postdoctoral Research Associate, Carnegie Mellon University
Tyrone Hayes, Ph.D. — Professor of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
Daniel Martineau, D.M.V., M.Sc., Ph.D., Dipl. A.C.V.P. — Professor (retired), Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal
Pete Myers, Ph.D. — Founder and Chief Scientist, Environmental Health Sciences, Publisher of EHN.org and DailyClimate.org
Richard Piacentini, WELL AP — Executive Director, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Shanna Swan, Ph.D. — Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Alexis Temkin, Ph.D. — Toxicologist, Environmental Working Group
Leonardo Trasande, M.D., M.P.P. — Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Environmental Medicine and Population Health, NYU School of Medicine
Moderators
Terrence J. Collins, Ph.D. — Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
Patricia DeMarco, Ph.D. — Visiting Researcher and Writer, Institute for Green Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University
Sarah States, Ph.D. — Director of Research and Science Education, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Inspire Speakers Series Presents: Biophilia--Inspiring Beauty, Connection, and Health through Our Places
2018-03-08 16:30 - 18:00 | Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at the Kaufmann Center, 1825 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Dive into the world of biophilic design with one of the nation’s preeminent experts, CEO of the International Living Future Institute Amanda Sturgeon. Biophilic design is based on the idea that people have an innate connection to nature, a relationship which benefits a community’s physical and psychological health. Learn how designers are incorporating elements of the natural world into the built environment, from green walls and stormwater gardens to circadian lights, variable temperatures, and places of refuge. We’ll also hear from local architect Patricia Culley, who will share examples of biophilic design in Pittsburgh.
Thursday, March 8
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Doors open at 4:30 pm for networking, food, and drinks.
The lecture begins at 5:30 and is followed by a Q&A session with the speakers.

2018 Wild & Scenic Film Festival
2018-03-08 17:00 - 20:00 | Father Ryan Arts Center, 420 Chartiers Ave, McKees Rocks, PA, United States
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival – the nation’s premier environmental and adventure film festival – will stop in Pittsburgh in March as part of its nationwide tour to showcase environmental films that inspire action.
Pennsylvania Resources Council and Allegheny CleanWays will host the evening of short films that showcase breathtaking ecosystems and powerful stories of individuals and communities taking action to protect their health and the environment. Click here to find trailers for this year’s films as well as more information.
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Ticket Pricing Information

Advanced Tickets – $20 – Available online until March 7, 2018
Day-of Tickets – $25 – Available online or at the door, March 8, 2018

Tickets include access to:

Screenings of award-winning films from across the nation
Volunteer drive for some of the region’s top environmental organizations
Refreshments like local sustainable beer, popcorn, and the Franktuary food truck
Raffle prizes from local restaurants, businesses, and institutions
Much more!

All ticket sales directly benefit Allegheny CleanWays and PRC.

The Causes and Consequences of 21st Century Segregation
2018-09-20 12:00 - 13:00 | University of Pittsburgh, Room 2017, Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney PC
Fall 2018 Speaker Series
“The Causes and Consequences of 21st Century Segregation”
Douglas S. Massey, PhD
Introduced by Valerie Kinloch, Dean, School of Education
Q&A to follow
No registration required. Limited seating is available – There will be no overflow room for this event.
Lunch is provided and lectures are free to the public.
Douglas S. Massey has served on the faculties of the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on international migration, race and housing, discrimination, education, urban poverty, and Latin America, especially Mexico. He is the author, most recently, of Climbing Mount Laurel: The Struggle for Affordable Housing and Social Mobility in an American Suburb (Princeton University Press 2013) and Brokered Boundaries: Creating Immigrant Identity in Anti-Immigrant Times (Russell Sage 2010). He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. He is currently president of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences and past-president of the American Sociological Association and the Population Association of America. Ph.D. Princeton University.
Valerie Kinloch began her tenure as the Renée and Richard Goldman Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education July 1 after spending nine years in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University.
Since arriving in Pittsburgh, Kinloch has dedicated herself to strengthening the school’s commitments to urban education, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement, while also enhancing school culture and broadening alumni participation. A highly-respected educator, Kinloch’s areas of research focus on the literacy, language, culture, and community engagement of youth and adults, both inside and outside of schools.
Center on Race and Social Problems invites you to help local communities in need by donating nonperishable items at this lecture. They are collecting nonperishable food, toiletry, and hygiene items for donation to Community Human Services.

Climate Webinar with Scientist Michael Mann
2018-09-24 11:30 - 12:30
Join PennFuture for a webinar presented by nationally renowned climate scientist and board member Michael Mann, featuring PennFuture President Emeritus Larry J. Schweiger.
The webinar, “Dire Predictions: Understanding Climate Change,” will include a presentation and discussion that will begin with a review of the now-solid evidence for a human influence on climate. Such evidence includes instrumental measurements available for the past two centuries, paleoclimate observations spanning more than a millennium, and comparisons of the predictions from computer models with observed patterns of climate change. The presentation will then address the impacts of climate change including sea level rise, severe weather, and water supply.
You will also have the chance to ask questions and join in a discussion about the solutions to the climate crisis.

The New American Road Trip Rolls into Pittsburgh
2018-09-24 17:00 - 19:00
The New American Road Trip, an electric-vehicle car tour across America, is aimed at highlighting the stories of people and emerging technologies from America’s heartland that are helping ensure this nation’s clean energy future.
The Road Trip is stopping in Pittsburgh on September 24th, and you are invited to attend! This free event takes place at Roberto Clemente Park at Heinz Field and will celebrate the Climate Heroes of Pittsburgh.
The event features Mayor William Peduto and local climate heroes in conjunction with the City of Pittsburgh to showcase the importance of local-level sustainability initiatives. There will be drinks, music, entertainment, food trucks, special guests, electric vehicle “Ride and Drives” as well as a local group expo and lots of great giveaways. Immediately following the program, event organizers will be streaming the Monday Night Football game to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Tamba Bay Buccaneers. This is a family friendly event so bring your whole crew!
$10,000 in prize money will be awarded to the Climate Heroes of Pittsburgh.

Passive House Tour on Energy Efficiency Day
2018-10-04 05:30 - 19:00
Tour and Happy Hour in Celebration of Energy Efficiency Day
A passive building involves extreme energy efficiency (targeting 80% energy use reduction) and performance verification that is proven through an air tightness test with rigorous passing standards. This particular home also features a green roof, permeable pavement, durable and environmentally-friendly materials, and more.
Come meet CCI’s Lucy de Barbaro and celebrate National Energy Efficiency Day by learning more about Passive Homes.

Meet Solar Homeowners - Pittsburgh Solar Tour!
2018-10-06 12:00 - 16:00
This Oct. 6, join PennFuture for a self-guided tour with solar experts, a guided e-bike tour, or sign up for a $10 three-hour bus tour! Check out what works best for you by viewing our online interactive map at pghsolartour.org! Join us and learn how you can go solar and help pave the way to a clean energy future.
What: PennFuture’s Pittsburgh Solar Tour
When: Saturday, Oct. 6 from Noon – 4 p.m.
Where: Check at the locations at pghsolartour.org
Additional Info: The Triboro Ecodistrict will officially host the Solar Tour After-Party at Hitchhiker Brewing in Sharpsburg, located at 1500 S. Canal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.!
Why attend PennFuture’s 8th Annual Pittsburgh Solar Tour?
“They can get a firsthand look for themselves, talk through how it works for them and be pretty specific, getting a close-up look at panels on a roof, learning about a power wall, how it works and what it does.”
“I think if I have learned something, it’s that I am kind of surprised to see that the panels still produce even after the sun goes over the house in the late afternoon and into the evening. We still get production. The panels produce energy for a lot longer period every day than I thought they would – it is surprising even on a grey, cloudy day, you still get production.” – -Bob Donnan of Peters Township, 2017 Pittsburgh Solar Tour attendee who made the switch a few months after attending the event.

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.
