Remembering the wave of democratic political changes occurring throughout the world, Moving Planet events around the world are bringing people to the streets, demanding action on climate change (more info at www.350.org).  Asheville’s Moving Planet event on September 24th, 2011 takes place in three different venues to reach diverse segments of our community and to focus on how we might help move the world beyond fossil fuels.

More information about the day can be found here: http://www.moving-planet.org/events/us/asheville/552

3:15 - 3:45 pm

The Ashville’s Moving Planet kickoff ceremony features speakers addressing how Asheville is responding to the urgency and demands of climate change.  Speaking at the First Presbyterian Church parking area are County Commissioner Holly Jones, WNC Alliance Executive Director, Julie Mayfield, President of the WNC-Central Labor Council/AFL-CIO Mark Case, conservationist and City Council Candidate Marc Hunt, among others.  At the end of the Kickoff, an Asheville on Bikes Caravan will wend its way to two other Moving Planet venues where other aspects of climate change and our responses will be highlighted.

Prior to the kickoff ceremony, there will be a Transportation Planing Basics Workshop sponsored by the Western North Carolina Alliance. This event will be held from 12 - 3 pm at First Presbyterian, and will include transportation planner Don Kostelec, who will reveal the mysteries of transportation planning, explain how local and regional transportation planning work together, and discuss how citizens can best engage in and influence the process.

4:15 - 4:45 pm

When the Bike Caravan arrives at the Burton Street Agricultural Fair, Moving Planet will take the stage to highlight ways one neighborhood is reducing the city’s carbon footprint.  Green Opportunities will touch on their retrofiting existing housing for energy efficiency.  The Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy will address plans for a private/public partnership placing PV solar panels on the Burton Street Community Center.  And Transition Asheville’s Food Action Group will emphasize how food security through local agriculture helps in many ways to reduce our carbon footprint while improving health.  The Fair happens on the grounds of the Burton Street Community Center in West Asheville.  For further info, contact Event Coordinator Safi Mahaba, 828-301-0166; see also www.burtonstreet.org.

After Burton Street, the Bike Caravan will then move on to the UNCA campus where Active Students for Health and the Environment (ASHE) is holding the Flip the Switch Concert.  In between many talented, local musicians, Flip the Switch showcases information on local and national environmental issues in an all-day festival format.  Speakers include Paul Gallimore of the Long Branch Environmental Education Center, Mary Olsen of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, Ned Doyle, founder of the Southern Energy and Environmental Expo, among others.  While raising awareness about current energy issues, energy conservation efforts, and efficiency practices, this concert will also include a silent action to raise money for the Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference (November 4-6), an event on the UNCA campus to educate and empower youth climate leaders across the Southeast.  Flip the Switch goes from 3-11pm on the UNCA campus; for a complete schedule, see http://www.moving-planet.org/events/us/asheville/999.

Asheville’s Moving Planet unfolds with sponsorship from The Canary Coalition, the Sierra Club, Transition Asheville, the United Nations Association-USA (Western NC Chapter), and the WNC Alliance.  The Canary Coalition will create a video-documentary of Asheville’s Moving Planet event.