2011 PAST EVENTS

October 5, 2011 – Cynthia Barnett and Blue Revolution Book Launch

Sr. Pat Siemen, Cynthia Barnett & Marge Holt at the Indigo Award presentation

Award-winning environmental journalist and author Cynthia Barnett discussed Florida’s need for a water ethic and launched her latest book, Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis, at an October 5, 2011, reception hosted by CEJ and the Sierra Club of Central Florida at the Barry University School of Law.

In Blue Revolution, Barnett reports on the many ways we have squandered our way to scarcity.  She goes on to argue that a water ethic is the best, simplest, and least expensive solution to Florida’s water challenges, and to show successful models from other communities that could provide solutions for Florida.

Barnett also accepted the Sierra Club of Central Florida’s Indigo Award for Environmental Reporting at the event.  The award recognizes the efforts of a writer/journalist who provides balanced reports on Florida’s environmental issues.  Marge Holt, the club’s Conservation Chair, made the presentation.

Barnett’s previous book, Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S., won the Florida Book Award gold medal for nonfiction in 2008.  Barnett is a senior writer for Florida Trend magazine who writes frequently on environmental and public policy issues.

September 28, 2011 – Journey of the Universe Movie Premiere 

Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker speaks with guests following the premiere.

Producer, co-creator, and historian of religions Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker appeared at the Orlando premiere of her extraordinary new film, Journey of the Universe, hosted by CEJ on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.  The premiere was co-hosted by the First Unitarian Church of Orlando at the Orlando Science Center’s Darden Theatre.

Dr. Tucker is a senior lecturer and research scholar at Yale University, where she co-directs the Forum on Religion and Ecology. Audience members enjoyed a discussion and question-and-answer session with her after the premiere.  The film project and its companion book are a collaboration of Dr. Tucker with evolutionary philosopher Brian Thomas Swimme, a professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco.

The film draws on the latest scientific knowledge to weave its themes of interdependence, relationship, and responsibility to future generations of all who share Earth as home.  It has received outstanding reviews from scientists, environmentalists, and thought leaders from various disciplines.  It will be featured on PBS during the December pledge drive.

Journey of the Universe DVDs and companion books are available from CEJ for $20.00 each. Please contact Jane Goddard at jgoddard@barry.edu to purchase a copy.

February 4, 2011 – Future Generations Conference: Water Justice for All

Sr. Pat Siemen, Jennifer Greene, Prof. Joe Durocher, Maude Barlow, David Tomasko, David Childs, Jane Goddard & Kariena Veaudry

CEJ presented “Water Justice for All,” the second annual Future Generations Conference, on Friday, February 4, 2011, at the Barry University School of Law in Orlando.  The program highlighted themes of interdependence and sustainability through an in-depth examination of water and its role in the life of Central Florida, the state, and the planet Earth.  The keynote speaker was Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, chair of the board of Washington-based Food and Water Watch, and former Senior Advisor on Water to the President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Barry Law Dean Leticia Diaz, Sr. Pat Siemen & Maude Barlow

The conference also featured Jennifer Greene, M.Ed., who discussed the life-giving resource and practical ways of managing it, and Sister Patricia Siemen, Esq., who explored a developing water ethic that can enhance current water policies.  Other state and local experts who discussed Florida’s waters and the larger implications of topics such as the impacts of various rules governing Florida’s waters included David A. Tomasko, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Team Leader, Integrated Water Resources Division, PBS&J; Kariena Veaudry, RLA, Executive Director of the Florida Native Plant Society; and David W. Childs, Esquire, of Hopping Green & Sams.

A few of the presentations can be viewed below:

“State and Regional Perspectives: Water Quality & Conservation in Florida”
Kariena Veaudry, Executive Director
Florida Native Plant Society

“Recognizing & Protecting Good Water”
David Childs, Esquire
Hopping Green & Sams

Excerpt from “Water Justice” keynote presentation
Maude Barlow
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians