Seacoast NRG

I was one of 50-60 attendees at the kickoff for the sustainability study circles, held at the Portsmouth public library Saturday morning.  Launched by The Piscataqua Sustainability Initiative and Portsmouth Listens, the study circles are being formed to address the question, how do we create a network of citizens committed to sustainability?  The study circles will be using the guide book The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns Can Change to Sustainable Practices, by Sarah James and Torbjorn Lahti.  This is the same book the City of Portsmouth is using to train staff and community in broadening their concepts of sustainability.

In addition to meeting other prospective study-circlers, the kickoff was also an opportunity to learn about some of the other sustainability programs (pdf) underway in Portsmouth, such as the LEED-certified library, the expanding recycling program, and the city’s pilot program for using B-20 biodiesel in city vehicles.

The actual study circle meetings will start in the next week or two, and will continue for eight weeks.  For those interested, it’s not too late to sign up.  You can register by sending an email to info@thepsi.net.