Sustainable Pittsburgh

Healthcare Industry Forum on Energy Efficiency
2019-03-05 12:00 - 2019-03-06 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, 215 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA, United States
Join healthcare industry leaders, architects, engineers, and energy professionals at the premiere event for energy efficiency and healthcare! The Healthcare Industry Forum on Energy Efficiency is slated for March 5 and 6 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. This two-day event boasts incredible choice and value to attendees, offering multiple keynote addresses, a three-track breakout schedule, and an all-day exhibitors’ hall with big names like Trane, PPL Electric, SageGlass, and more. Enjoy rich networking opportunities like the VIP Dinner the night of the 5th, and earn credits from AIA, BPI, and AEE at the informative sessions and workshops. On the website you’ll find the full agenda, links to register and sponsor, and information about the sessions and speakers. What’s more, healthcare employees receive a special discount – simply email KEAA staff for details.

ioby: Crowdfunding by Neighbors, for Neighbors
2019-02-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Alloy 26, Auditorium, 100 South Commons #Suite 102, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Pittsburgh is pretty special. From 446 bridges to 90 neighborhoods, there’s a lot to love about the mighty Steel City. But most of all: Pittsburghers don’t wait around to get good done. Since we began our on-the-ground work in Pittsburgh, ioby.org has collaborated with over 130 resident leaders as they plan, crowdfund, and build positive change in neighborhoods all across the city and region. With a median donation of $35, Pittsburghers working with ioby have raised over $450,000 in small donations to make our neighborhoods thriving and full of opportunity for all. ioby.org/Pittsburgh
Join ioby Pittsburgh for an evening of stories and celebration.
Learn how Pittsburghers have raised support for their neighborhood projects and nonprofit programs by activating our Pittsburgh spirit of civic engagement, with strategy coaching from ioby.org
A facilitated panel discussion that features Northside ioby.org collaborators, followed by dinner and mingling.
This ioby Pittsburgh conference will especially celebrate the ioby One Northside Crowdfunding Challenge, ioby.org/Northside, made possible through the generosity of the Buhl Foundation. Northsiders have raised over $200,000 in one year with ioby’s coaching and collaboration, and a matching grant from the Buhl Foundation.

Building Re-Tuning: An Energy Sustainability Series
2019-02-27 07:30 - 15:30 | CCAC Boyce Campus, 595 Beatty Rd, Monroeville, PA|PA|PA|PA
Building Re-Tuning Workshop: 2 of 3
Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program
FREE
Please join PennTAP for the second of three Building Re-Tuning (BRT) workshops being offered in the Pittsburgh area. The February workshop will focus on the fundamentals of BRT including how to use low-cost tools and workbook calculations for 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. This program has been designed for PA municipality, school district, and community college professionals who work within building operations, physical plant, maintenance, grounds, EHS or sustainability.
This multi-media training includes a webinar, guest speakers, and two building walk-throughs in regional facilities. Additionally, a webinar will be made prior to the workshop and is intended to be a prerequisite.
PennTAP is offering 6 Maintenance Points through the Building Re-Tuning Workshop to individuals looking to maintain their Building Operator Certification (BOC) credentials!
Space is limited, so register early!

United Pittsburgh Public Speaker Series: How can we heal our community
2019-02-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
The United Pittsburgh Public Speaker Series features prominent speakers discussing Pittsburgh’s most pressing challenges–and meaningful solutions–in a series of public presentations to students and community residents alike. These community forums are open to the public and are free of charge.
All presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held on the Duquesne University campus in College Hall, Room 104, unless otherwise noted. NO PRESENTATION on March 4, 2019 due to Spring break
“How can we heal our community” is the fourth in a series of public presentations to explore challenges and solutions to Pittsburgh’s social justice issues.
Featured Speaker: Majestic Lane, Deputy Chief of Neighborhood Empowerment, Office of Mayor William Peduto, City of Pittsburgh

Natural History's Place in Science and Society
2019-02-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Featured Speaker:

Josh Tewksbury
Future Earth
*Co-sponsored by the 21st Century Naturalist Project, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh’s UPCLOSE program, funded by the Spencer Foundation.

Interested in learning about scientific discoveries directly from scientists? Carnegie Museum of Natural History scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on a wide variety of scientific topics at the free R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Series. Seminars are free and no registration is required. Each seminar begins at noon in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Earth Theater and lasts about an hour. Visitors attending solely for the seminar are asked to check in at the front desk.

2019 Pennsylvania Solar Congress
2019-02-24 09:30 - 16:00 | Community Forge, 1256 Franklin Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
The Pennsylvania Solar Congress is a conference that brings together solar supporters from across the state to learn and discuss the current state and future for solar energy in PA. The day will include a series of presentations about solar technology and policy topics as well as ways to get involved with growing solar in Pennsylvania. The day will conclude with a participatory open forum for all attendees to discuss the priorities and opportunities that solar supporters in Pennsylvania should focus on in the coming year.Whether you are a solar homeowner, completely new to solar, or somewhere in between – this event is for you!The Pennsylvania Solar Congress is a conference that brings together solar supporters from across the state to learn and discuss the current state and future for solar energy in PA. The day will include a series of presentations about solar technology and policy topics as well as ways to get involved with growing solar in Pennsylvania. The day will conclude with a participatory open forum for all attendees to discuss the priorities and opportunities that solar supporters in Pennsylvania should focus on in the coming year. Whether you are a solar homeowner, completely new to solar, or somewhere in between – this event is for you!
RSVP here

Practical Lessons in Winning Public Support for Infrastructure Project
2019-02-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Findlay Township Activity Center, 310 Main St, Imperial, PA|PA
Let’s face it – winning public support for unfunded infrastructure mandates is difficult to do. Public officials (both elected and unelected) constantly struggle to communicate the value of infrastructure investments in a way that builds broad-based support from constituents. This session covers the best strategies for planning and successfully engaging the public on difficult-to-win topics like infrastructure investments, tax increases, and municipal compliance activities.
Speaker: Mark Heckmann, Castle Shannon Council President

TRUE Zero Waste Symposium
2019-02-21 08:00 - 15:00 | Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park, PA, United States
Join the Pennsylvania Resources Council and its Zero Waste Pennsylvania team to learn how your business or institution can advance its solid waste and recycling goals with fiscally responsible strategies. This workshop will present TRUE, a rigorous new standard which moves beyond others by focusing on how we operate our businesses, factories and institutions.
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Practical Lessons in Winning Public Support for Infrastructure Project
2019-02-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Fisher Hall at Burrell Lake Park, 209 Delberta Rd, Lower Burrell, PA|PA

Final days to see Straw Forward Exhibit at Science Center
2019-02-14 10:00 - 2019-02-15 17:00 | Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
WHAT: The Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant program will unveil its much anticipated Straw Forward™ Art Installation at Carnegie Science Center.
Straw Forward demonstrates a community-wide collaborative effort to accelerate an important message about the global issue of plastic pollution–from a local perspective. The installation comprises more than 25,000 plastic straws collected from 37 Pittsburgh-based restaurants, nonprofits, and businesses between June and October of this year. It also includes discarded plastic-based items pulled from the banks of the Allegheny River with Allegheny CleanWays, yarn from Thread International that was upcycled from plastic bottles saved by citizens in developing countries, and other repurposed materials from Construction Junction and the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse.
The concept, design, and construction of the installation was developed through a partnership with the creative team from Pittsburgh-based Shift Collaborative.
WHEN: Tues., Jan. 15, 2019 – Fri., Feb. 15, 2019
WHERE: Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
WHO: Carnegie Science Center and Sustainable Pittsburgh leaders, local elected officials, and numerous project partners will give remarks and unveil the sculpture.
WHY: Single-use plastic straws represent one small component of the negative ecological impact of plastic pollution, ranging from disposable items like take-out containers and water bottles, to beach toys and commercial plastic waste (e.g. barrels, fishing line/nets). Straws also represent a challenge in the waste stream as they cannot be recycled by traditional means. For plastics that aren’t responsibly disposed of or can’t be recycled, they continually break up over time, turning into tiny bits of microplastics, clogging the bellies of marine life and possibly ending up in the food humans eat.
Sustainable Pittsburgh and Carnegie Science Center recognize the importance of keeping the needs of the disability rights community in conversations about the movement to decrease plastic waste, as plastic straws and other single-use plastics improve the livability and access for people living with certain disabilities and medical conditions. Best Buddies Pennsylvania is a partner of the Straw Forward project.

PaMAGIC’s Fifth Annual Water Data Workshop
2019-02-05 10:00 - 15:00 | Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Conference Facility, 112 Washington Pl, Two Chatham Center, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
PaMAGIC’s Fifth Annual Water Data Workshop is entitled, “Accelerating Hydrography Modernization for PA.” Building on previous workshops, participants will see key components of the plan for modernization in the morning sessions to set the stage for afternoon breakouts in which they adjust and enhance the plans. This year’s success in getting state investments and USGS 3DEP support for new lidar acquisition makes our task more urgent.
Drivers

Our current surface water mapping is over 20 years old and spatially inadequate for modern applications and analysis, and state, local, and federal partners need a single base map.
A standard process for deriving hydrography from lidar is in beta testing now.
We have about 15000 sq. mi. of QL2 lidar now, and 15000 sq. mi. in preparation for acquisition.
DCNR Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey will curate hydro and topo together.

Preliminary Agenda
Morning Sessions

Water Data Initiative to Date
Technical Developments
Hydro Extraction Standard and Quality Control
Streamlined Data Model
Future Functionality
Lidar data update/3DEP
Political/Promotional Considerations
PA Hydro Steering Team
Initial Plan

Afternoon Sessions

Critique the Plan
Enhance the Plan

There is no charge for the workshop. PaMAGIC will provide a working lunch. Technical briefings will start promptly at 10 AM, so plan to arrive by 9:30 and meet your fellow participants. Hosted by PaMAGIC and the SPC Water Resource Center.
RSVP to Eric Jespersen at ecj@epix.net.

Cafe Sci: Straw Forward
2019-02-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Doors 6 pm; Event 7-9 pm
FREE
Register here

Please join us for an insightful panel discussion at Carnegie Science Center’s Café Sci! Learn more about the larger issue of plastic pollution and go behind the scenes with the team that created the art installation, Straw Forward.
Straw Forward is a collaborative effort of restaurants, businesses, and nonprofits to collect used and littered plastic-based items and turn them into a work of art in order to raise awareness and foster meaningful dialogue around the global-scale issues of single-use plastic waste and plastic pollution.

The Straw Forward art installation is made from yarn made from saved plastic bottles, plastic barrels, a pool solar cover, pool noodles, Styrofoam, over 25,000 plastic straws, plastic bags, crates, and other discarded plastic items. All items used were donated, gathered from participating collection locations, or picked up as litter.
The Straw Forward art installation will be visible for public viewing at the Carnegie Science Center through February 15, 2019.

Inspire Speakers Series Presents: Inspirational Stories about a Vibrant and Just Region
2019-01-31 17:30 - 20:30 | Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at the Kaufmann Center, 1825 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Storytelling is our way of expressing the soul of our community to one another. Stories expose our beliefs, emotions, and vulnerabilities that can resonate with people in ways that facts and statistics can’t. Stories foster empathy, remind us of what it means to be human, and challenge us to be the change we seek.
Join Green Building Alliance for the fourth annual Storytelling Inspire Speakers Series event to hear stories from citizens who are working to create a vibrant and just region.
Agenda:
4:30-5:30 – Food, Drinks, and Networking
5:30-7:00 – Presentations by our Storytellers
7:00 – Q&A Session, Networking with Storytellers
Submit Your Story:
Do you know someone with an inspiring story to share? Tell us about it in the form below and you could be a speaker at our upcoming storytelling event on January 31st 2019! Think about coworkers, neighbors, family members, and your favorite local artists and writers. Submissions due by December 14th. Click here to submit your story. We’ll see you there!

The future of energy: Can we get to zero carbon?
2019-01-29 18:15 - 20:30 | Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
FREE
Register here
Several recent reports, including from the United Nations and the U.S. government, stress the urgency of reducing carbon emissions to check the worst effects of climate change.
StateImpact Pennsylvania is bringing together a distinguished panel to discuss this huge challenge and potential solutions.
Join us for “The future of energy: Can we get to zero carbon?” on Jan. 29 at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. Panelists are:

Paulina Jaramillo, associate professor of engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University and co-director of the Green Design Institute
Ivonne Peña, an energy analyst who has worked for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the U.S. and the Colombia’s Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission
Greg Reed, a professor of electric power engineering at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, and director of Pitt’s Center for Energy and the Energy GRID Institute

Agenda:
6:15-7:15: Tours & EIC presentation
7:15-8: Panel discussion
8-8:30: Audience questions
The event features a tour of the Energy Innovation Center before the panel begins. In addition, Bill Miller, vice president and chief operating officer of Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation, will talk about the nonprofit EIC’s role in workforce development, technology and incubating businesses “to support emerging clean and sustainable energy markets.”
Reservation not required, but requested.

Racial Justice Summit
2019-01-25 18:30 - 2019-01-26 18:30 | PA|PA
The Racial Justice Summit, formerly known as the Summit Against Racism, is a flagship event for Pittsburgh organizers. The Summit creates opportunities for attendees to learn, connect, and act on behalf of racial justice.
21st Annual Pittsburgh Racial Justice Summit
A Multicultural Initiative of the Black & White Reunion
“Moving Forward Together – an honest confrontation and resource for an anti-racist community”
January 25 | 6.30 pm – Opening Ceremony | Union Project, 801 N. Negley
January 26 | 9:00 am – Full Day Summit | Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 N. Highland
7:30 pm – Organizing Dance Party | Union Project

Sustainable Business 101
2019-01-17 12:30 - 13:30 | Carnegie Library Of Pittsburgh - Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
What is business sustainability? More importantly, what does it mean to your business? Autumn Secrest, Sustainable Business Program Manager of Sustainable Pittsburgh, will share with business owners and decision-makers a broad overview of business sustainability, as well as what it entails for various business types. Participants will also be provided with ready-made resources to help get started on the path to sustainable business practices.
