Differentiating Between Green and Green

With the word “green” being linked to such unlikely partners as SUVs and nuclear power plants, it can be difficult for the average person to decipher how to live in a truly sustainable way. Santa Barbara environmental architect John Kelley, will be giving a free lecture series entitled “Seeking the True Green” in the Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library addressing this very conundrum.

Kelley will discuss practical tips for being an environmentally friendly consumer as well as what resources are available to the average person for living a green lifestyle. When asked about his motivation for teaching the series, Kelley responded he wants to help people “distinguish between what seems green and what’s truly green” by informing them of the smartest decisions they can make. For example, Kelley sites the example of water bottles. While recycling bottles may seem green, buying a single reusable metal bottle is actually the greenest way to go.

Each weekly class will have a different theme addressing this and other practical ways to live sustainably. In addition to Kelley, a group of experts regarding each week’s topic will be present to facilitate discussion and answer questions.

The free, not-for-credit classes are cosponsored by Santa Barbara City College and the Sustainability Project, a Santa Barbara nonprofit. They are being held every Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m., beginning this Thursday and running through the end of October. If you missed this Thursday’s class on October 8, you can still sign up by simply attending next week’s, scheduled for Thursday October 15.

The final meeting of the series will be with local author Heather Florez. She will have a slideshow and book signing of Food Not Lawns held at the Goleta Valley Community Center. There will be an optional $10 fee for the final session.

To learn more about the series and each week’s topic check out the Santa Barbara City College Web site.