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Bioneers conference to connect for change

Print | Comments () Posted by Bennie DiNardo October 8, 2009 09:09 AM

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You need a lot of descriptive words – including visionary and quirky – to the increasingly popular Bioneers movement that is looking to solve some of the world’s most urgent environmental and social problems.

Scenes from 2007 (Marion Institute photo by Kevin Trimmer)

Founded almost 20 years ago as a California non-profit the organization has crafted itself into a progressive think tank focused on personal solutions that is perhaps most famous for its annual autumn conferences held around the country. The main conference is in California on Oct. 22 – 25 but New Bedford is hosting a satellite event at the same time in the Zeiterion Theatre and throughout downtown.

Bioneers By The Bay: Connecting for Change will teach attendees a host of ideas including: building a solar oven; applying for stimulus funds; organic beekeeping; Gaia theory; water rights and composting. Presenters include Will Allen, a former pro-basketball player, who will talk about his efforts to bring farmed healthy foods to urban and underserved areas; Dr. Vandana Shiva, an expert on genetically modified organisms and Winona LaDuke, a native American environmental activist and social entrepreneurs Paul Hawken and Woody Tasch.

The event will also pivot on an international day of action on Oct. 24 called 350.org to convince world leaders to hammer out a global climate treaty in Copenhagen this December to lower carbon dioxide below 350 parts per million. Stay posted here for more on local events later.

The event costs $150 for the weekend but organizers say one day passes are available and discounts are available through scholarship or volunteering. They say if you want to come, they will try and help get you there.

There will be family-friendly attractions and daycare for children at the local Y, youth programs and exhibition halls featuring sustainable businesses and organizations, films, music, a farmer’s market.

“Our job is to broaden the national debate about climate change and a green economy to include issues of social justice and equality,’’ said Desa Van Laarhoven, executive director of the Marion Institute which is producing the event. “More importantly, our goal is to mobilize support for deep and positive change and promote awareness about the importance of living a more sustainable and just life.”