I will be giving a workshop at the Green Party of the United States National Committee meeting in Tuscon (July 27-30) on July 27, as a member of the GPUS Eco Action Committee. Other committee members will also be giving workshops. Additionally, Kathy Dopp, Desert Greens Green Party of Utah candidate, will be providing a presentation on the Diebold Voting Machine issue. I have provided times and descriptions below.
The Facts of Nuclear Testing and Waste Transportation – It Affects Us All!
Thursday, July 27, 2005 at 1:00pm – 2:30pm
presenters: Deanna Taylor, Tom King – Utah
Many Utahns are all-too-painfully acquainted with the deadly legacy that decades of nuclear weapons testing left our nation:
* Toxic and radioactive waste from nuclear weapons manufacturing
* Deadly fallout from atmospheric and below-ground testing
* A lingering mistrust of the government resulting from their assertions that testing would be safe.
* The continued exploration of the development of new tests (e.g., “Divine Strake”).
Workshop participants will receive an overview via a multi-media presentation describing the “safety myths” of nuclear testing and radioactive waste storage and transportation which affects not only Utahns but everyone in our nation. Participants will learn what they and their State Green Parties can do to help in the effort to prevent renewed nuclear testing and place moratoriums on the transportation of nuclear waste. Participants will also learn what they can do to help stop the detonation of the “Divine Strake” test scheduled for fall 2006.
Much appreciation to HEAL Utah, Shundahai Network and DONT (Downwinders Against Nuclear Testing) for their assistance in preparing this presentation.
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WATER PLANNING IN THE SOUTH WEST
Thursday, July 27, 2:30-4:00pm
presenter: Mato Ska – New Mexico
For 10 years, a citizen-centered process to establish a 50 year regional water plan for the Middle Rio Grande has brought together people from a variety of backgrounds- from public officials to farmers, from hydrologists to water managers, from environmental advocates to developers. This process has demonstrated itself to be a significant arena for political activity for Greens in the future. More than an advocacy group, the Middle Rio Grande Water Assembly worked as part of a state-mandated process to develop recommendations and scenarios for the future that have been approved by all the local municipalities and governmental entities. Working with Sandia National Laboratories, the Assembly also helped to develop a regional quantitative computer flow model. Finally, ecological restoration and adaptive governance have assumed a new significance for the 21st Century in the age of climate change. Resource planning opens up one positive scenario in building a vision and common goals.
Come and find out more about this inclusive and open process. The workshop will explore not only the 10 year experience of the Water Assembly, but also the role of Greens and the New Mexico Green Party within it. Participants are invited to add their rich experience to the discussion and further work to develop the direction and priorities of state Green Parties and the work of the EcoAction Committee of the GPUS.
Why should Greens look to resource planning and urban development as cornerstones for deepening ties and increasing the bio-regional consciousness of the communities we live in?
How can the Green Party transform its natural, environmental focus into a stable constituency and a Platform that provides leadership in the public and governmental arenas?
“Energy Justice”
Thursday, July 27, 4:00 – 5:30pm
Presenter: Mike Ewall – Pennsylvania
Overview of dirty energy technologies with the talk on clean solutions.
Voting and Diebold Machines
Friday, July 28, 10-11:30
Presenter: Kathy Dopp, Utah
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 