3rd Annual Energy Forum: Strategies for a Sustainable Future

Presented by the WCU Sustainability Advisory Council, Chester County Citizens for Climate Protection (4CP) and the Chester County Sierra Club 15 March 2011

Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a 1993 WCU graduate, was the featured speaker at this third annual event held at WCU's Sykes Auditorium. The event attracted an audience of over 200 from the University and West Chester commuminites. Brune is the author of Coming Clean: Breaking America's Addiction to Coal and Oil. His talk reflected a number of the themes from that work. In particular he addressed how we, as motivated citizens, can put our convictions into practice and strategically pressure corporations and our government to change their energy priorities.

His talk was followed by a panel discussion featuring three participants who demonstrated loocal actions that reduce energy consumption and support sustainability. The panelists were:

George Schaab, Facilities Manager at Westtown School
Dave Rivell, a West Chester area resident who works implementing energy conservation and efficiency measures
Sam Cantrell of Maysie's Farm Conservation Center, a non profit, educational organization.

Prior to the lecture and panel discussion, a Sustainability Expo featured displays from

Sierra Club
Chester County Citizens for Climate Protection (4CP)
Photos by Mark Schmerling - Coal mining and mountain top removal
MainLine Solar
SunPower Builders
Brandywine Valley Heating & Air Conditioning
Practical Energy Solutions
Energy Works
Green Steps/Blu Path
GREENandSAVE
Eastern Mountain Sports
Strickler Insurance Company
Hybrid Cycles - Pedal Assist, Pollution Free Electric Bicycles
Maysie's Farm Conservation Center
Brandywine Valley Association/Red Clay Valley Association
Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County
Eastern Mountain Sports - Exton
Thornbury Farm CSA
Protect Our Waters
Transition Towns-Media