You may not know this (and we didn't), but October is Sustainability Month in the Pioneer Valley. To celebrate, Sustainable Step New England is bringing together four world famous scientists and writers on October 24th for 'The Poetry of Solutions: Poetry and Diaglogue for a Restorative World,' a fundraiser to launch a monthly calendar list-serve of Pioneer Valley sustainable development initiatives. Renowned UMass geo-biologist Lynn Margulis will quote Emily Dickinson and connect that poetry to her own groundbreaking work on the Gaia hypothesis and evolutionary symbiosis. Sir Crispin Tickell (Chairman of both the International Council of Scientific Unions Advisory Committee on the Environment, and the Climate Institute and Director, Centre for Environmental Policy & Understanding, Oxford) will share how the poetic wisdom of the12th Century Abbess Hildegard von Bingen has informed his extraordinary policy and diplomatic work on global climate change. Award-winning writer and poet Dorion Sagan and Vassar College lecturer and poet Nancy Willard will use their compelling works and commentary to further bridge the false divides between poetry, science, nature and a more positive future. This deep and delightful evening will help fund a service that will publicize, celebrate and strengthen the many remarkable Pioneer Valley initiatives that are earning our region a reputation for being at the forefront of the global shift towards a more just and sustainable society. When you attend, you’ll have the opportunity to hear about and suggest organizations, events and initiatives to be included in the monthly calendar. You’ll also qualify to receive a free, no obligation trial subscription.

The larger purpose of the 'Poetry of Solutions' event (and it's one that Valley Viewpoint wholeheartedly endorses) is to create an e-mail based, monthly electronic calendar of Pioneer Valley sustainable development initiatives and events as part of its efforts to:

1) Increase the visibility, credibility and support for sustainable initiatives in the Pioneer Valley and throughout the region

2) Make it easy for you to stay on top of who is doing what, where and when to advance sustainable practices locally, whether through sustainable strategies for individuals, business, schools or municipalities

3) Provide you and others with the information, community of support and tools you need to take action on your concerns.

This free event will be held on Thursday evening, October 24th, from 6:30 - 9:30 PM, at First Churches, corner of Main and Center Street in Northampton. No registration is required, but sending an e-mail with your name, address and phone to poetry@ssne.org will help the organizers plan (it's also the only way to be included in a drawing to win an autographed book from the presenter of your choice).

You can learn more about this event and Sustainable Step New England's many programs and services at www.ssne.org.

(Back to Simply Living)