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May 2006: Post Carbon News


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Post Carbon Newsletter #15 May 2006


1. Charitable Status/Funding Update

2. Relocalization Network Update

3. Energy Vulnerability Summit: recap

4. Energy Farm Demonstration Project: website launch

5. New Post Carbon Institute Brochure

6. Calendar of Events

7. Next Newsletter Preview

1. Charitable Status/Funding Update

We have some very exciting news- we are now able to issue tax receipts for all one-time and ongoing donations over $100! (why $100?)

Two weeks ago, we received our official charitable status from the Internal Revenue Service. This means that the IRS now recognizes Post Carbon Institute's activities as charitable in nature and rewards our supporters by allowing tax-deductible donations.

From today onwards, all contributions made by new and current Post Carbon supporters will be tax deductible. All supporters who contribute $100 or more per year will receive a tax receipt from us in the mail.

We want to thank all of our members and friends for your unwavering support during this process. We would not be here today without your loyalty and encouragement. Thank you!

Fundraising drive for the Relocalization Network

We are currently working to improve our online communications tools, to develop frameworks for regional group collaboration, and to create templates for action to share with Local Post Carbon Groups. To support these improvements, we will be launching a very important fundraising drive for the Relocalization Network over the next couple of weeks. Look out for emails from Post Carbon Institute letting you know how to make a tax-deductible contribution to support the Relocalization Network.

2. Relocalization Network Update

There are now one hundred groups in the Network and thirty-five potential groups on the waiting list. In order to effectively support this growing interest the Relocalization Network Coordinators, Sarah Smith and Shelby Tay, have developed an application process for all potential groups which includes a comprehensive Information Package and Application Form. In the coming weeks they will be launching, with the help of the staff programmers, the first of many changes to www.relocalize.net. The website will break away from the main Post Carbon Institute website and will feature a new face, and improved content and functionality. Sarah and Shelby will also be calling all Post Carbon Group Coordinators to check-in over the next month. The information from these conversations will form the base of an annual Relocalization Network Report, which will be released by the end of the summer.

3. Energy Vulnerability Summit: Recap

The Energy Vulnerability Summit in Petaluma California, May 19, 2006 was a resounding success. Many local elected and appointed officials from all over the region attended the summit to learn about the local implications of rising energy costs. Richard Heinberg discussed the main factors influencing energy costs and supply, and Julian Darley presented case studies on exemplary municipalities around the world that are preparing for the implications of future energy constraints. The attendees of the summit went away with new information and motivation to begin preparing their communities by
developing demand reduction strategies and by investigating alternative energy sources. The next session of this important summit will include business leaders and the public, and is planned for September 29, 2006. For further information contact ecoleader@ecoleader.org or (707) 578-9133

4. Energy Farm Demonstration Project: website launch

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Energy Farm Demonstration Project website, www.energyfarms.net. The site is up and running and features new updates on farm progress and streams live data from the ambient energy monitor located at the farm. We will be developing new content over the next few weeks, so keep checking back for updates!

5. New Post Carbon Institute Brochure

Having trouble explaining to friends, colleagues and new Local Post Carbon Group members what exactly Post Carbon Institute is? Now available in PDF format is a Post Carbon Institute Brochure, complete with our mission and descriptions of our initiatives, educational materials and think tank research. If you would like a copy of this new brochure sent out to you, please email feedback@postcarbon.org

6. Calendar of Events:

4th Annual BALLE Conference June 8-10, 2006 Burlington, Vermont

Join authors Julian Darley, David Korten, Michael Shuman and many other speakers, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world to discuss creating an economy that preserves community character and vitality, promotes economic justice, and protects ecological health and diversity.

For more information about the event and for registration details click here.

World Urban Forum III: Vancouver, Canada. June 19-23, 2006

The main theme of this biennial gathering is Our Future: Sustainable Cities – Turning Ideas into Action. Established by the United Nations, the World Urban Forum examines the impact that rapid urbanization has on communities, cities, economies and policies. The Forum will address the challenges of minimizing burgeoning poverty in cities, improve the urban poor's access to basic facilities such as shelter, clean water and sanitation and achieve environment-friendly, sustainable urban growth and development.

For more information click here.

7. Next Newsletter Preview

  • Watch for updates on the World Urban Forum: Post Carbon Institute will be there!
  • We will be posting an update on the development of The Oil Depletion Protocol Project, one of Post Carbon Institute’s newest initiatives!


  • The Post Carbon Institute encourages the following courses of action:





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Post Carbon Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization incorporated in the United States.