COLUMBUS — Local foods. Alternative transportation. Living with a smaller environmental footprint.
All these topics will be covered at an upcoming conference, “Sustainability Now! Strategies for Personal and Community Action” on Ohio State University’s agricultural campus May 16-17.
Event focus
The event has two major focus areas: how people can live in a more sustainable way in their day-to-day living, and how communities can build infrastructure and promote more sustainable living among residents, said Jeff Sharp, associate professor of rural sociology and one of the conference’s organizers.
The conference begins Friday evening with a keynote address by Jim Merkel, author of Radical Simplicity.
On Saturday, the event begins with a plenary session at 9 a.m. Breakout sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. will focus on topics such as local foods and alternative food systems; sustainable communities and neighborhoods; alternative transportation systems and bicycle maintenance. The program ends at 4:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
Youth conference
In addition, a Central Ohio Youth Summit planned during the conference is designed to bring high school students together to discuss youths’ role in environmental sustainability.
An application form, due by May 1, is available on the Web site. The Youth Summit is free, but is limited to 25 students.
Deadline
Registration, due by May 10, is $40 for adults; $35 for members of Simply Living; or $12 for students. Children are admitted free, but must be registered. Late registration (if space remains available after May 10) is $45. Registration to attend only the Friday evening keynote address is $15.
Details on this event are available at http://sri.osu.edu/sustainabilitynow/.
