UC Berkeley Focus the Nation Forum!

On February 7th, 2012, Focus the Nation and the ASUC Sustainability Team sponsored a forum to explore the question of whether 100% clean energy is possible - and is so, how? The event brought together students, faculty, community members, and energy professionals, each individual coming with a unique perspective and skill set. Focus the Nation, a nationwide organization based in Portland, Oregon, runs off a model of multi-disciplinary collaboration. They identify four quadrants of people/skills in the energy field: innovators, technicians, politicos, and storytellers. Each quadrant makes up a necessary piece of the puzzle in the transition to clean energy. Using this model, the forum focused heavily on collaboration and building solidarity, creating a space where unlikely but fruitful interactions could occur.

Professor Daniel Kammen delivered the keynote address. He spoke on the global energy crisis, and how policies and economics are failing to provide the drastic shift that we desperately need. He spoke about simple, innovative solutions like a project called "Lighting Africa," which provides solar-powered lamps and chargers to rural African communities. He then focused his talk back to our campus, highlighting how students (and maybe students only) have the will and power to make energy solutions happen. Hearing a high-powered and well-traveled professor call on students to make the change was eye opening and inspiring.

Kira Stoll from the Office of Sustainability followed Professor Kammen, and spoke on the campus' energy and climate goals. The campus has set the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2014. Despite a commitment from the administration toward this goal, the campus is far from reaching it by the proposed deadline. There must be a combination of forward-thinking policy, accountability, and a step-by-step plan in order to really start moving toward a campus that is fossil fuel free.

Following the opening speakers came the real meat of the event - the breakout discussions. Leading these discussions was a stellar group of community professionals and organizers: Kira Stoll (Office of Sustainability), Rachel Barge (Greenstart), Kathy Dervin, Susan Silber, and Daniel Parella (Transition Berkeley), Al Weinrub (The Local Clean Energy Alliance), Danny Kennedy (Sungevity), Alan Cai (BERC Undergrad), and Patrick Smith (Building Sustainability at Cal.) These sessions were chances for everyone to interact, hear about a particular topic, and offer up ideas and solutions. Some of the topics covered included cleantech start-ups, community - campus partnerships, and solar energy. Major themes across all sessions were the need for collaboration, the importance of having a vision and having fun, and the positive impacts of creating localized energy solutions.

Photo by Natalie Sanchez

It was tough to cut these dynamic sessions off, but we then moved into the final segment of the evening. Nicole Valentino from the Richmond Mayor's Office joined us to share some words about the happenings north of the Berkeley bubble. Richmond has become a pioneer in creating a sustainable and resilient community, despite its foundation in the oil industry. The city has pushed for localized solutions like solar panels and waste reduction. Our campus has a lot to learn from Richmond, and working with their knowledgable community could be an asset for us all.

Photo by Natalie Sanchez

The last half hour consisted of a panel discussion on where to go from here, featuring Professor Kammen, Brynn Cook (Sustainability Team End Coal campaign leader), Alex Luce (BERC), and Chris Ackman (ASUC External Affairs). We asked questions about roadblocks and solutions, consolidating the ideas and vibes generated throughout the forum. A general theme was the need for policy and a very concrete action plan steering the campus in the right direction to meet targets. UC Berkeley has the incredible opportunity to lead the way in the clean energy movement. Despite budget cuts and financial problems, the campus could still be pushing our resident experts to detail a physical and economic energy plan. We as students have a unique and invaluable role as the "people power" and the demanders of change. After all, undergraduates are responsible for the solar panels on top of the Martin Luther King Student Union!

The event concluded on a hopeful note, but also with the understanding that we all have our work cut out for us. The Focus the Nation team is gearing up to develop our action plan, drawing from the ideas generated at the forum. The plan will likely contain a model for campus and community wide collaboration, a policy proposal, and a tangible "first step" project. We will tap into the resources within our newly created network - BERC and Sungevity are both excited to work with us! Stay tuned to hear what we come up with next, and if you'd like to get involved, email me at mjacobson20@gmail.com. Don't hesitate to contact me with feedback or questions - working together is what it's all about!

Word cloud made from comments that attendees left with us

If you want to read more about the sessions at the forum, and see updates as we move forward, check out our blog: http://ucbcleanenergy.blogspot.com/

Also, at the end of the forum, we came up with a Clean Energy Joint Statement to demonstrate solidarity on campus - please read, and add your name!