The Biennial of the Americas, taking place in Denver, Colorado, is “an international event celebrating the culture, ideas and people of the Western Hemisphere, hosted by the City of Denver. Throughout the month of July, Denver will welcome national and international visitors for a cross-cultural experience bridging and unifying the artistic, intellectual and political progress of the hemisphere’s 35 nations.” A few of the round-table discussions (listed below) may be of interest to those in the fields of sustainability.

Also on the green events calendar for July are a couple of conferences in California, including one focused on plug-in vehicles. This symposium will take place at the end of the month in San Jose. For other intriguing options, a few of which may interest educators, take a look at the sampling below. For the full calendar, click on “Features” above and select “Green Events Calendar” from the drop down menu.

CONFERENCE: UCLA Sustainability & Leadership
When: July 5 – 9 2010
Where: Los Angeles, CA, United States (map)
Description: The world of corporate sustainability is changing rapidly and UCLA has a special program to help you keep up with the latest developments by putting you in intensive contact with the leading researchers in the field.
Further details:http://www.specialprograms.ucla.edu/SustainableBusiness/overview.htm

CONFERENCE: The Canadian Institute’s Energy Storage Conference
When: July 7 – 8 2010
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (map)
Description: Attend this unique event and hear from industry experts on the latest electricity storage technologies, research, development and demonstration.
Further details: http://www.canadianinstitute.com/EnergyStorage

Biomimicry Education Summit
When: July 8 – 10 2010
Where: San Francisco, California (map)
Description: The Summit will promote an interdisciplinary exchange of concepts, perspectives, and tools among biologists, chemists, industrial designers, architects, artists, engineers, and business people engaged in biomimicry education, and biomimetic research and/or design.
Further details: http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/education/university/biomimicry-education-summit.html

Webinar: The Future of Carbon Regulation
When: July 13, 2010 | 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. PST
Where: Online
Description: The prospects for passing climate legislation in the US Congress have changed dramatically over the last year. Catalysts on this policy roller coaster have included the talks in Copenhagen last December, the health care bill, and current events, such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Looking to the future, what are our current prospects for climate legislation and carbon regulation? What type of regulation or other approach would be most effective at reducing carbon? Will carbon markets continue to evolve without regulation? Understanding the answers to these questions will influence how companies embrace carbon reduction as a business strategy, and how all organizations move forward in a carbon-constrained economy.
Visit www.fluidms.com/webinars to register

Clean Energy and Smart Grid Fair (CSF) 2010
When: July 14 – 16 2010
Where: PACIFICO Yokohama, Exhibition Hall and Annex Hall 1-1-1, Minato Mirai Nishi-ku Yokohama (map)
Description: Objectives: We aim to promote the use of renewable energy by transmitting technology and information related to clean power generation. Furthermore, we also convey technology and systems related to the computerization and upgrading of power grids in the aim of realizing a stable supply of electricity, which includes clean power generation, and of optimizing electrical power supply and demand. What is more, CSF contributes to cutting CO2 and improving convenience in the lives of the people by promoting the dissemination of clean power generation systems and next generation power supply technology through the mutual interaction and business negotiations of industry officials.
Website: http://www.cs-f.jp/e/index.html

CONFERENCE: UBC Summer Institute in Sustainable Urban Design: Natural Systems and the Built Environment
When:July 18 – 23 2010
Where: Vancouver, BC, Canada (map)
Description: The UBC Summer Institute in Sustainable Urban Design delivers conceptual knowledge and practical strategies on how to integrate a natural systems approach to the design of building projects,landscapes and neighborhoods.
Further details: http://cstudies.ubc.ca/sisud

CONFERENCE: Mergers and Acquisitions in the Renewable Energy Industry
When: July 19 – 20 2010
Where: Boston, MA, United States (map)
Description: This conference will discuss the current status of M&A in the renewable industry and describe where it is heading on both a national and international level.
Further details:http://www.euci.com/conferences/0710-mergers/

Sustainability Education Summer Institute (SESI)
When: July 26 – 28 2010
Where: Bainbridge Island, WA (map)
Description: IslandWood is excited to once again host the Sustainability Education Summer Institute (SESI). SESI 2010 will provide a rich and vibrant opportunity for k-12 teachers, administrators and teacher educators to deepen their knowledge of education for sustainability (EfS) and apply it to their schools and programs. The conference content is being developed in collaboration with Western Washington University, Facing The Future, Environmental Education Association of Washington, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Further details: http://islandwood.org/school_programs/educators/sesi-2010

Plug-In 2010 Conference & Exposition
When: July 26 – 29 2010
Where: San Jose, CA (map)
Description: As original equipment manufacturers announce plans to bring plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles to market, representatives from automotive manufacturers, component suppliers, electric utilities, government agencies, academia and the environmental community should plan to attend Plug-In 2010 to share best practices, advance policies, hear from industry leaders and see the latest innovations associated with plug-in and electric transportation technology on the exposition floor.
Further details: http://www.plugin2010.com

Biennial of the Americas’ Events:

The Americas Round-table on Trade: Leveraging Partnerships for Sustainable Economies
When: Mon, July 12, 8:30am – 10:15am
Where: Denver, Colorado (map)
Description: Combined GDP of the Western Hemisphere exceeds $19 trillion. As a result, the 35 nations of the Hemisphere produce close to 30 percent of the world’s GDP. Nevertheless, along with those of the rest of the planet, economies in the Hemisphere have recently suffered tremendous setbacks. To promote and sustain healthy economies in the region, trade is certainly one important catalyst. For that reason, one approach might be to write even more bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Greater value might come, however, from attempting to leverage the trade agreements already in place. How could these agreements be refined to work more successfully? How might their economic gains to-date be consolidated and furthered? How can technology advancements be put to use more strategically?
Further details:http://www.biennialoftheamericas.org/americas-roundtables#economy

The Americas Round-table on Energy and Climate Change: Designing Answers for Today’s Challenges
When: Wed, July 28, 1:30pm – 4:00pm
Where: Denver, Colorado (map)
Description: Round-table Focus: Of the many ties that could bind the Western Hemisphere together more closely, energy production surely is one of them. The Hemisphere has tremendous resources. Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela supply the U.S. with more than 40% of its crude oil. The U.S. and Colombia are among the top coal producers in the world, and Brazil is the world leader in producing and using ethanol as a transportation fuel. In the context of energy, however, the link between fossil fuel use and CO2 levels in the atmosphere is unquestionable. With little dispute, scientists believe that CO2 and other heat-trapping gases are influencing the climate. How might design be used to address the energy and climate change problems facing us therefore? Design levers likely include energy efficiency, renewable energy technology, markets, the use of natural gas, and reforestation, among others.
Further details: http://www.biennialoftheamericas.org/americas-roundtables#climate

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