Communicating about Climate Change: Why Values Matter
Monday, April 25, 6PM
Lakeview Branch Library, 1137 W. Lake in Peoria
co-sponsored by Global Village, our local 360 degree fair trade store in Peoria Heights
Communicators often appeal to values when trying to motivate people to care abo
ut the environment. Professor Tim Kasser from Knox College will share psychological theory and research to show how contemporary culture’s focus on materialistic values and consumerism must be confronted in order to create a sustainable future. He will present lifestyle and policy alternatives that are positive for the planet, and also promote people’s wellbeing and a more civil society.
Tim Kasser, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of Psychology at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. He has written extensively on materialism, values, ecological sustainability, and quality of life, among other topics. He is the author of The High Price of Materialism (MIT Press, 2002) and co-author of Meeting Environmental Challenges: The Role of Human Identity (WWF-UK, 2009). Tim works extensively with activist and civil society organizations that protect children from commercialization, promote ecological sustainability, and that encourage alternatives to consumerism. He appeared in The True Cost, a documentary about the high cost of fast fashion, shown in Peoria last fall.
2016-New Meeting Location and Dates
New location: Lakeview Library, 1137 W Lake Ave, Peoria, IL 61614
New Time: 6 to 8 p.m. (Sometimes shorter meetings, we simply have the meeting room for this long)
New Date: The 4th Monday of every month-except December 2016. No meeting that month. (Feb. 22nd, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 22. September 26, October 24, November 28)
Feb. 22nd – Rick and Tracy Fox will present “Paris and the Climate Agreement”. They were there!
When we adjourn these meetings, we will likely reconvene at a local eatery and watering hole.
All are welcome, of course! Please join us as we develop and re-kindle the fire in this organization! Please come with your suggestions and ideas for community and issues engagement.
Climate Change Author to Speak in Peoria
Much of climate change information can be sobering and overwhelming to digest, but it doesn’t have to be. Join author Paddy Woodworth at the Illinois River Conference at the Hotel Pere Marquette on Thursday for a presentation on the many successes that have occurred around the world by individuals and organizations have made positive change in the battle against the impacts of climate change. Woodworth is the author of Our Once and Future Planet published by the University of Chicago Press (ISBN 9780226333403).
Planning Meeting for New Park Land to be Added to Riverfront Park
The City of Peoria will be hosting a public planning session regarding the extension of Riverfront Park on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the Gateway Building (200 NE Water Street). The City is seeking input from the community regarding what recreational and design elements should be included in this new park area.
The City has identified approximately 8 acres of property immediately adjacent to Riverfront Park that will serve as an extension of the park. The proposed new park, a combination of private property and currently unimproved public property, will add an additional 750 linear feet of access to the Illinois River. It will also ensure public ownership of the entire river front from I-74 to Detweiller Marina. The planning event will allow citizens and other stakeholders to share their thoughts about the design of this new area. Facilitated small group discussions will yield input on landscaping, recreational elements, interaction with the water and other park elements. The City will also use an Internet-based survey to solicit ideas from those who cannot make the meeting. This survey will launch the week of November 2, 2015. Designers will incorporate community preferences into a master plan and budget that will be presented to the public. Project information will be housed on the City’s website: www.peoriagov.org/riverfrontpark.
As part of the River Trail project, the City needs to acquire property to convert into recreational open space in order to compensate for the loss of parkland to the development. The City will need the approval of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and National Park Service (NPS) in order to finalize the land swap. A key step in obtaining that approval is submitting a plan for how this newly acquired property will be improved into a park. While creating an improvement plan is a critical activity, the City is pursuing the other steps in obtaining the proper approvals that will allow the River Trail project to proceed. The City will host at least one public hearing, separate from the upcoming planning session, which will allow citizens the opportunity to support, oppose or otherwise comment on the entire conversion. That date has not yet been set.
Questions can be directed to Christopher Setti, Assistant City Manager, at (309) 494-8618 or csetti@peoriagov.org.
Petitions to Save Peoria’s Riverfront Park by Distrcit
IF YOU LIVE IN PEORIA WE WANT YOU TO SIGN A PETITION. This petition will be directed directly at your District Council Member. Petitions are listed below. Please share with friends and neighbors. Time is short, but we need to present as many signatures as possible!
Contact Dave Pittman at dvdpttmn@aol.com to turn in your signatures. We will collect them in time to present at the September 22 City Council meeting. Here is the wording: We the undersigned voters and taxpayers of the [insert your district] District are opposed to the sale of Riverfront Park to River Trail Drive LP. As voters and taxpayers of the ( first, second, third, fourth or fifth )District, we call on you to vote NO on the River Trail Drive Development.
Click on your district to download your PDF. Sign and circulate. Then we need them in time to present at the September 22 City Council meeting. Don’t forget you should also contact the At-large council members and Mayor voicing your opinion.
Riverfront Park Petition 1st district Peoria
Riverfront Park Petition 2nd district Peoria
Riverfront Park Petition 3rd district Peoria
Riverfront Park Petition 4th district Peoria
Riverfront Park Petition 5th district Peoria
Global Warming Solutions Group of Central Illinois 