For those in the Portland, OR area ...

On Saturday Nov. 18, 2006, there is a Beyond Oil Conference and Reception being held at Smith Memorial Union at Portland State University. (Multicultural Center room 228) from 9am-4:30pm.

Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and Portland Peak Oil are sponsoring the conference. The keynote speaker will be The keynote speaker will be the journalist Sonia Shah, author of Crude: the Story of Oil. Suggested donation of $10-$20.

See the conference information and this link to register.

Workshops include:

Using the Oil and War Connection to Promote Peace - Teresa Keane, NP, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and Sonia Shah, author of Crude: the Story of Oil

Oil will be at the center of many future violent conflicts. However, besides using "No Blood for Oil" as a slogan, the peace movement doesn't often discuss the oil and war connection. Workshop participants will discuss how oil is central to violent conflict and how the peace movement can use this message to further global peace.

Implications of Peak Oil for Portland and Oregon - Chris Caruso, MCM Architects and member of the Portland Peak Oil Taskforce, Jeremy O'Leary, Portland Peak Oil, and Charlie Stephens, formerly at OR DOE

Global oil production will be "peaking" - reaching the highest possible rate of oil production- within the next five-25 years. As production rates decrease but demand continues to increase, rising oil costs will affect almost every aspect of life. Workshop participants will learn about the scope of the problem and current actions in Oregon and will discuss possible solutions to make the transition away from our oil addiction.

Renewable Energy & Efficiency - Rep. Jackie Dingfedler, Oregon State Representative, House Dist. 45 and member of the Renewable Energy Working Group, Mark Kendall, OR Department of Energy, and John Pearson, MD Physicians for Social Responsibility

Renewable energy plays a key role in reducing global warming pollution and our dependence on foreign oil. Workshop panelists will talk about current Oregon projects and plans and why nuclear power isn't the best solution. Participants will discuss what role citizens play in a renewable energy future.

Economic Opportunities - Congressman Earl Blumenauer, US House of Representatives, OR 3rd District, Barbara Byrd, AFL-CIO, Portland City Commissioner

Randy Leonard, and Sallie Schullinger-Krause, Oregon Environmental Council

Reducing oil consumption provides new economic opportunities including biofuels, new transportation options and thousands of new jobs. Participants will discuss these new opportunities, what plans are in place, and how citizens can get involved locally and on a national level.

Creating a Movement - Lisa Adatto, Oregon Business Association, Jeremiah Baumann, Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, and Terri Grayum, Code Pink Portland

Reducing global warming pollution and using more renewable resources- how will Oregon get there? Learn about education and advocacy efforts underway in Oregon and discuss what individuals and groups can do to create a Beyond Oil movement.

Global Warming in Oregon - William Barnes, Ph.D. University of Portland, Eric Miller, PT, Oregon Global Warming Action Network, and Ronald Mitchell, Ph.D., University of Oregon

Global warming will affect Oregon's agriculture, economy, oceans, migration, wildlife, and health. Learn from Oregon experts about what these impacts might be in Oregon and what we can do to reduce global warming pollution individually and as a state.