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www.dallassierraclub.org The End of Suburbia on page 1 The End of Suburbia April’s Program:April’s The Dirt Doctor on page 3 The Compass March’s Program:March’s Forum on page 1 Energy Dallas Sierra Club Wilderness Navigation Class Wilderness Navigation Find out how you can get in on the know on page 7 can get in on the know you Find out how March 2005 Dallas Executive Committee Adopt a Shoreline Carol Nash H: 214-824-0244 [email protected] Ann Drumm - Chair H: 214-350-6108 [email protected] Bryan Carpenter - Vice Chair H: 817-745-9988 [email protected] Conservation Committee Rita Beving Griggs W: 214-373-3808 [email protected] Cari Henkin - Secretary [email protected] Calvin Nichols - Treasurer H: 972-240-4141 [email protected] Conservation Issues Mary Colston H: 214-618-1424 [email protected] Leaders Ze’ev Saggi H: 214-692-5907 [email protected] Media / Water Rita Beving Griggs W: 214-373-3808 [email protected] Mike Rawlins H: 972-783-0962 [email protected] Clean Air Katy Hubener W: 972-296-9100 [email protected] David Van Winkle H: 972-562-7174 [email protected] Endangered Species Tom Green H: 972-684-5423 [email protected] Forests Volunteer neeced Political Coordinator Population Gayle Loeffler H: 817-430-3035 [email protected] David Griggs H: 972-406-9667 [email protected] Sustainability Margie Haley H: 214-823-1537 [email protected] Recycling Volunteer needed Newsletter Editorial Board [email protected] Rivers / Wetlands Protection David Gray H: 214-342-2019 [email protected] Arthur Kuehne Solid Waste Shirley Holland H: 972-294-8078 Bryan Carpenter Trinity River Joe Wells H: 214-948-3406 [email protected] Laura Kimberly Sprawl Bud Melton H: 214-828-2144 [email protected] Mike Rawlins Water Coordinator Needed Matt Wales Energy Lisa Silguero C: 214-893-7990 [email protected] Responsible Trade Molly Rooke H: 214-369-6667 [email protected] Webmaster Kelly Carlson H: 972-624-8534 [email protected] Fundraising Chair Mary Colston H: 214-618-1424 [email protected] Photography Inner City Outings Chair Liz Wheelan H: 214-739-2269 [email protected] Wendell Withrow H: 972-416-2500 Media Rita Beving Griggs W: 214-373-3808 [email protected] Sierra Club HQ / Austin 512-477-1729 Membership Chair Kelly Carlson H: 972-732-6566 [email protected] Dallas Sierra Club 214-369-5543 www.dallassierraclub.org Sierra Singles Volunteer needed Dallas Sierra Club Non-Profit Organization Outings Committee Chair Mick Nolen H: 972-991-9351 [email protected] PO Box 800365 US Postage Backpacking David Van Winkle H: 972-562-7174 [email protected] Dallas, Texas 75380 PAID Bicycling Bill Beach H: 214-662-3224 [email protected] Canoeing / Kayaking Terry Sullivan H: 972-492-3038 [email protected] (214) 369-5543 Richardson Permit No. 1181 Car Camping Volunteer needed Dayhikes Steve Longley H: 214-826-3993 [email protected] Training Coordinator Arthur Kuehne H: 214-902-9260 [email protected] Program Chair Bryan Carpenter H: 817-745-9988 [email protected] Program Sales Coordinator Patsy Huston H: 972-732-6566 Special Events Coordinator Volunteer needed Video Coordinator Lisa Silguero C: 214-893-7990 [email protected] Issue 0305 Volunteer Coordinator Volunteer needed March 2005 March 2005 The Compass A monthly publication of the Dallas Sierra Club The Dallas Sierra Club Invites You to Join Us for a Special Screening of the Documentary: M A R C H ’ S P R O G R A M THE END OF SUBURBIA: Energy Conservation Forum Oil Depletion and the Collapse of The American Dream March 9 "We're literally stuck up a cul-de-sac in a Question. What do the following events that are all part of the vast majori- cement SUV without a fill-up" ty of Americans' daily lives have in common? - James Howard Kunstler Taking a shower, eating breakfast, commuting to work, working at the office, eat- ince World War II North Americans ing lunch, coming home, eating dinner, watching a little T.V., and going to bed just have invested much of their new- to get up and do it all over again. Sfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, If you said they all require substantial inputs of energy in one form or another, family life and upward mobility. As the I guarantee you that you are in a very small minority of people. But give yourself population of suburban sprawl has a gold star for getting the right answer. exploded in the past 50 years, so too the The truth of the matter is almost everything we do in our lives in every waking suburban way of life has become embed- ded in the American consciousness. moment (and sleeping moments for that matter) requires an input of energy.Yet Suburbia, and all it promises, has an overwhelming majority of Americans never even think about their energy become the American Dream. But as we usage nor consumption of it (aside from complaining when they fill up their SUV's enter the 21st century, serious questions or when they get their electric bills). From heating our hot water heaters, to pro- are beginning to emerge about the sustain- ducing our food, to transporting people, goods and services, to heating and cool- ability of this way of life. With brutal honesty ing our homes and commercial buildings, to powering our gadgets - we are an and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia energy intensive and energy dependent society. explores the American Way of Life and its Yet every other day there is some cheery little news report concerning the prospects as the planet approaches a criti- imminent threat of global warning, of skyrocketing fuel costs, of geopolitical cal era, as global demand for fossil fuels Time: 7:00 P.M. instability in oil rich countries like the Middle East, of environmental degradation begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak Place: Greenhill School to our air, water and land from the excessive use of fossil fuels and their byprod- and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are (see March program info for directions) ucts - the list goes on and on. So how do we reconcile our intensive energy con- upon us now, some scientists and policy suming lifestyles with the need for us to reduce our energy consumption in order makers argue in this documentary. Date: 3/17/05 - St. Patty's Day! The consequences of inaction in the face to remedy some of these planetary ailments? Well come join us at the March meeting to find out! We are having an energy of this global crisis are enormous. What future energy needs. Jeffrey Brown, a forum with three different speakers who will enlighten us on the many ways that does Oil Peak mean for North America? As Petroleum Geologist and Geophysicist will energy prices skyrocket in the coming be on hand after the viewing to answer any we can reduce our energy consumption to help lessen our ecological footprint on years, how will the populations of suburbia questions you might have about Peak Oil, the planet, yet at the same time continue to heat our homes and offices, take react to the possible collapse of their and provide some alternative and more care of our transportation needs, and power our gadgets. dream? Are today's suburbs destined to sustainable solutions to our transportation Tom "Smitty" Smith, Director of the Texas office for 'Public Citizen' since 1985, become the slums of tomorrow? And what needs. We will bring the popcorn! At the will be here to talk to us about renewable and clean energies. Smitty serves on can be done NOW, individually and collec- end of the evening, join us for some "green the boards of Clean Water Action, Texas Wind Coalition, Texas Renewable tively, to avoid The End of Suburbia? beer" (or whatever color they are serving Energy Industries Association, and a solar energy company. He has recently Come join your DSC friends for an enter- up that night) at Pappa's Pizza for fun and received the Thomas Paine award from Campaigns for People, 2001 Austin taining yet eye-opening evening as we view fellowship afterwards. Chronicles critics choice award for "Best People's Lobbyist" as well as a U.S. this interesting video and talk about our EPA's "Environmental Excellence Award." Jeffrey Brown, a Petroleum Geologist and Geophysicist will be here to speak to us about U.S. and global oil consumption, the concept of "Peak Oil," and what the history of Texas's oil production can tell us about the future of world oil production. Volunteer Spotlight:Calvin Nichols Finally, Patrick Kelly from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 will be here to talk to us about energy efficient home appliances we can pur- his month we recognize one of chase to help reduce our energy consumption. those unsung heroes, the folks who At the end of their presentations, we'll have a Q&A forum where you can ask our Tdo the important behind-the-scenes panel of experts all those burning questions you have had about energy but were work that doesn't get much attention but afraid to ask. So come join us in March for a presentation you're sure to find very, which keeps our club running smoothly. well - energizing! Calvin Nichols is now serving his fourth year as our club Treasurer. Last year Bryan Carpenter Calvin was promoted to Arson Investigator Program Chair for the Dallas Fire Department, and his pro- motion required him to go through several months of a physically grueling training course to become a certified peace officer.