Event Details — Why Sustainability? - panel discussion

URBAN HARVEST PRESENTS, WHY SUSTAINABILITY?
Panel Discussion, Tuesday, September 7, 2010

WHAT: As a national movement to create resilient local food systems that are truly sustainable continues, ushering in a new call for victory gardens, backyard chickens, edible schoolyards, farmers markets, and small family farms, Urban Harvest presents the panel discussion Why Sustainability? to be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

This discussion is a continuation of Urban Harvest’s successful Food For Thought series which began in spring. The panel will explore one of the hottest global issues of the twenty-first century – Sustainability For the event, a six-member panel will tackle two topics: Why is sustainability becoming increasingly important? And, how we can respond locally to the widespread global changes?

The challenges of the future, including changing weather patterns and rising energy costs, will require ordinary people to reconsider the reliability of their food sources. Industrial agricultural practices produce surpluses and exotic food year-round, but with significant costs. Huge carbon emissions, topsoil fertility depletion, groundwater contamination and depletion, a food supply chain that is highly vulnerable to fuel price increases, the widespread presence of pesticides in our food, and even the rise of obesity have been traced to the way we grow our food. Or rather, to the way we don’t grow our food, but have handed that responsibility over to multinational corporations.

Submission of relevant questions is encouraged, and can be sent to gary@urbanharvest.org

WHEN: Tuesday, September 7, 2010 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Multipurpose Room of the Oberholtzer Residence Hall. 108 Oberholtzer Hall, University of Houston, Central Campus. For directions see link at www.urbanharvest.org.

COST: Free, and open to the public

ABOUT URBAN HARVEST: Urban Harvest promotes healthy communities, sound nutrition and respect for the environment by educating children and adults and facilitating harvest and
habitat gardens.

The Urban Harvest Farmers Market helps educate the public about the benefits of eating local produce in season and provides the local agricultural community with a direct outlet for their products. For more information, visit www.urbanharvest.org