Monday, February 15, 2016

9:30 – 10:30 AS THE WORLD CHANGES

Future Earth

Speaker: Pat Hamilton, Director Global Change Initiatives, Science Museum of Minnesota

Humans are the dominant agents of change on Earth. Humanity changes the use of land, oceans, and the atmosphere. We have the means to address the planetary challenges we have set in motion. The future of Earth will be decided by human decision-making, either by default or design.

10:45 – 11:45 HEALTH

The Mindfulness Habit

Speaker: Kate Sciandra, Author

In her book, The Mindfulness Habit, Sciandra defines mindfulness as coming to your senses by paying attention on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally to things as they are–not as you want them to be. Skillfully practiced, mindfulness promotes a rich, more meaningful and authentic life as it cultivates greater openness, self-compassion, interconnectedness, and well-being.

11:45 – 12:00 ANNOUNCEMENTS
12:00 – 1:15 LUNCHEON

1:15 -2:15 PUBLIC POLICY

Divestment from Fossil Fuels

Speakers: Emily Moore, Co-founder of Divest to Invest Minnesota. Retired from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Patty O’Keefe, Divestment Coordinator MN350

Climate change is driven by unprecedented buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The majority of that carbon comes from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas. The mission of Invest Minnesota is to divest pension funds from fossil fuel companies.

The speakers will discuss how our climate is changing, the role of the fossil fuel industry, and the response of the divestment movement to these realities. Recommendations for citizen action will be included.