Jan. 23 - March 13: "Choices for Sustainable Living" Discussion Course

Register for WNCA’s new course! When considering your New Year’s resolutions, why not consider living more sustainably?

Choices for Sustainable Living is a seven-session discussion course book that provides participants a powerful opportunity to explore sustainability more deeply and learn its unique meaning from individual, societal and global perspectives. The term “sustainability” is used so freely, it’s difficult to understand what it can mean. At its essence, sustainability embodies hope for a healthy, just and bright future for us all. This course gives us the opportunity to come together with like-minded individuals to learn and grow together by sharing our thoughts, ideas, and stories.

Choices for Sustainable Living helps you discover new ways of living and together, make change more possible and powerful. In this course we will explore the meaning of sustainability, consider the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on Earth and learn about steps that can be taken to move toward ecologically sustainable organizations, lifestyles, and communities. This discussion style course will have weekly readings as well as questions to consider regarding the readings. Each week we will tackle and discuss the thought provoking questions and passages as a group. Authors include Lester Brown, Richard Heinberg, Amory Lovins and others. Choices for Sustainable Living is one of 9 course books offered by the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI).

When: Every Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 23 (introductory class), ending March 13.

Where: Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar, Asheville

Cost: $45 for WNCA members; $60 for non-members (includes 1 year WNCA membership!).

Registration Deadline: Friday, Jan. 17th *pre-registration is required*

To register:

ENROLLMENT FOR THIS COURSE IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU!

Please submit the registration form near the bottom of the page by Jan. 17. If you have any questions please call course leader, Isabelle Rios, at 828-258-8737 ext. 201 or email Isabelle@WNCA.org.

See below or click here for the course flier and description including detailed information on weekly course content!

Course Outline:

Jan. 23: Introductions and “A Call to Sustainability”

Course books will be handed out and discussion leaders will be assigned for each class.

In this session, participants consider ways of grasping the meaning and vision of sustainability, our roles in creating a sustainable world, and the tools that can help us in this endeavor.

Jan. 30: NO DISCUSSION COURSE THIS WEEK

Feb. 6: “Ecological Principles”

Ecological principles are a core component of sustainability. In this session, participants explore some of the interconnected crises we currently face and how ecological principles can be used to address them.

Feb. 13: “Food”

Eating is an essential natural process for all living organisms, yet many of us have limited awareness of how our eating habits impact the natural world. How can we lessen our impact on the Earth through choices about the way we eat?

Feb. 20: “Community”

In their local communities, individuals can often see the power of their collective actions more clearly. How can we build supportive, interdependent relationships that help move communities to a more sustainable way of living?

Feb. 27: “Transportation”

Greenhouse gas emissions, congested roads, noise, polluted runoff and rising gas prices point to the unsustainability of our current transportation system. This session looks at the problems of our current transportation systems and how communities can diversify their transportation options.

Mar. 6: “Consumption and Economy”

For decades, increasing material consumption has been heralded as the key to economic progress and an indication of “the good life.” Is a growing economy equivalent to a healthy economy? What are other ways of measuring success, and how can we live more simply — and more richly — on Earth?

Mar. 13: “Visions of Sustainability”

In this session, participants examine the underlying assumptions and beliefs that have created our current systems. How can we make positive and lasting change in our own lives and communities?

ENROLLMENT FOR THIS COURSE IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU!

Jan. 23 – March 13: “Choices for Sustainable Living” Discussion Course

To register:

Course Outline: