Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Get it straight

Be conscious and ?green your scene?


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson has been a leader in reducing the carbon footprint in mountain towns. Courtesy photo

Can mountain towns provide an insight for the future of universal climate change awareness? As a special and most welcomed addition to the 48 Straight and Jeep King of the Mountain series, a professional skicross, snowboardcross and skier halfpipe competition, the Green Your Scene Environmental Symposium will offer another perspective to mountain town lifestyle besides the slopes and parties.

The Green Your Scene Environmental Symposium is a free event, presented by 48 Straight and the Community Library in Ketchum. On Tuesday, March 11, former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson will be joined by Nancy Taylor, author of "Go Green¾How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community" and Auden Schendler, director of environmental affairs for Aspen Skiing Co., at the Community Library.

On Wednesday, March 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., Jana Dean, an Earthwatch Institute fellow, will make a presentation at the library with Aimee Christensen.

On Thursday, March 13, at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum from 6 to 8 p.m., Middlebury College green pioneer May Boeve will join actress, author and entrepreneur Mariel Hemingway and musician, filmmaker and human rights worker Michael Franti. Moderating the symposium for all three evenings will be Sun Valley's own and global sustainability consultant Aimee Christensen.

The symposium will jump start the final leg of 48 Straight and the Jeep King of the Mountain series while offering a balance to the weekend's events. The Jeep King of the Mountain series not only celebrates mountain culture but also supports protecting it. The series hired environmental consultant FirmGreen to minimize the tour's impact and reduce its carbon footprint.

Presenting ideas and examples on how mountains can be more "green," Anderson will discuss and provide examples from his own experience as Salt Lake City mayor. Anderson created programs to reduce the environmental impacts of the city's operations. In addition, Anderson has a special interest in Sun Valley because of his father's lumberyard, Anderson Lumber, where he used to sleep on the floor and go ski.

"Its amazing how much you can accomplish with good leadership and always keeping an eye on greenhouse-gas and emissions reduction," Anderson said. "It is important to go around the country and work with other mayors and show there really are solutions. People become inspired when someone can put solutions in place and make a difference."

There will be several "green initiatives" incorporated in the 48 Straight and Jeep King of the Mountain series in Sun Valley. When possible alternative fuels will be used for generators and vehicles, a recycling program for both on-hill competitions as well as off-hill concerts. Food and beverage concessions will feature biodegradable utensils, cups and plates.

In addition to a Green Your Scene film festival, there well be a Green Your Scene Alley providing an opportunity for event sponsors to showcase products as well as for area environmental groups.

For more information, visit jeepsports.com.




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