Rising oil prices have taken
their toll on Michigan’s
economy. How will future oil prices impact Michigan? What scenarios can be
used for future planning?
"The Conference on Michigan's Future: Energy,
Economy and Environment" looks at how rising oil and
energy costs are crippling Michigan's economy and proposes solutions to prepare
Michigan for the economy of tomorrow.
Oil prices are climbing worldwide due to the
fundamentals: rapidly rising demand coupled with declining available oil
imports. Michigan relies on low oil prices to support its economic
foundation of automobiles, agriculture and tourism. As oil prices
rise, so do inflation, unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcies. Michigan
must take steps to mitigate the impacts of
rising energy prices to strengthen Michigan's economy.
The conference program includes a focus on
multiple concerns:
- The World Oil Situation (Peak Oil)
- Michigan’s Energy Production: Past,
Present & Future
- Stagflation: Rising Inflation,
Rising Unemployment
- Automotive and Transportation Opportunities
- Community, Municipal & State Level Planning
- Food Production & Distribution
Systems
- Current Climate Impacts and Future Scenarios
- Individual, Corporate, and Governmental
Solutions
Invited speakers will include Matthew Simmons, Stephen Leeb, and Richard Heinberg.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Tony Earley (Chairman & CEO DTE Energy)
-- Nuclear Power
-
Jerry Norcia
(President Michcon) -- Natural Gas
- Jim MacInnes (President Crystal Mountain
Resort)
- Bill Wilson (MidWest Permaculture) --
Permaculture
- Albert Bates (Ecovillage Network) --
Ecovillages
- Aaron Wissner (President Local Future)
-- Global vs. Local
- John Richter (I.S.E.E.) -- Peak Oil
Myths & Realities
- Tim Hudson (I.S.E.E.) -- Peak Oil
Scenarios
- John Barrie (Appropriate Technology
Collaborative) -- Simple Fixes
- Christina Snyder -- Zero Energy Home
Design & Constrution
- Kurt Cobb -- Connections: Energy,
Environment, Economy
- Donna McClurkan -- Eating Close to Home
- David Konkle -- Municipal Renewable
Energy Initiatives
- Thaddeus Owen -- Permaculture in
Michigan
Additional speakers include Tom Stanton, John Sarver,
Mark Bauer, Dan Fortson, Wayne Appleyard, and Jennifer Alverado.
The conference is organized by Local Future,
a nonprofit community education organization which also organizes "The
International Conference on Peak Oil and Climate Change: Paths to
Sustainability".
Join some of Michigan's brightest thinkers and early
adopters to learn and plan for "Future Michigan".
