R4 Recycling: Focus the Nation on Sustainability

Focus the Nation on Sustainability

What's a Teach-In

By Kemble Pope
Davis Voice
Friday, 01 February 2008.

The solutions to curb global warming presented at the Focus The Nation events ranged from the high-brow big picture to the seemingly innocuous home remedies. But at the end of the day, the most striking act for me was catching the UCD R4 mascot, Rocky the R4 Racoon, sifting through the compost bins behind Freeborn Hall.

This was no staged photo-op, the costumed R4 employee was actually helping out Mike Siminitus, Event Zero Waste Coordinator, ensure that the contents of the compost bin were actually compostable. That act, sifting through garbage, is one of many that must become commonplace in our homes and places of work... until everyone else religiously practices proper disposal techniques.

After the jump, quotes from Kim Stanley Robinson (yes, I finally met him!) and in the sidebar, check out a new slideshow thingy of my pictures from the event...

Kim Stanley Robinson, award winning author and fellow Davisite, gave a fascinating speech to a full crowd during the lunch portion of the Idea Cafe at Freeborn Hall. His talk centered on the cultural changes that must take place if we are to avoid a catastrophic climate change event that is obviously exacerbated, if not ultimately caused, by human actions. Following are a few quotes that I took while wolfing down lunch:

"I became a science fiction author because I was so fascinated by the technological innovations of the past century and the potential for the future. Unfortunately, that wealth of technology has also devastated our planet."
"Current economic practices are predatory upon future generations."
"In order to have a healthy relationship with our planet, we must change the idea of what health and happiness mean to us by devaluing hyper-consumptive practices."
"[Changing our way of life to live sustainably on this planet] is not a question of our standard of living going down, its a question of quality of life going up."

Unfortunately, Mr. Robinson did not take questions, but I caught up with him afterwards. I asked if he could think of any "low-hanging fruit" solutions that the City could take up immediately. His answer?

"We should be encouraging more community gardens. Growing my own food was one of the most significant first steps for me and my family as we began to live more sustainable lives. Most Americans have lost their connection with food and the land. The City should encourage more neighborhood based community gardens."

Mr. Robinson is also concerned about that UCD keeps its promises to its West Davis neighbors regarding the design of University Village along Russell Blvd. More to come on this important matter.

According to event organizers, it seems that attendance was high at all of the events, with the notable exception of the teach-ins. Apparently, most college students don't even know what a teach-in is... perhaps someone should develop a Facebook application.