Register for WNCA’s new course! Choices for Sustainable Living is a seven-session discussion course book exploring the meaning of sustainable living and the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on the earth. We will meet on Tuesdays at the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Asheville and will learn about steps that can be taken to move toward our own ecologically sustainable lifestyles along with our organizations and communities. Choices for Sustainable Living is one of 11 course books offered by the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI).

  • When: Every Tuesday, 6:00-7:30pm beginning March 13 (introductory class), ending May 1
  • Where: Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar, Asheville
  • Cost: $30.00 for WNCA members; $35.00 for non-members
  • Registration Deadline: Monday, March 6

Books will be handed out at the first meeting, but pre-registration is required.  To register please call course leader, Joy Irby, at 828-258-8737 or email joy@wnca.org by March 6.  See below or the CSL flyer and description for more information on course content!

Course Outline:

March 13: Introductions

Course books will be handed out and discussion leaders will be assigned for each class

March 20: A Call to Sustainability

The goal of a sustainable society is popular, but difficult to define. How does the way our society functions affect the Earth, and how can we be “a blessing to the planet”?

March 27:  Ecological Principles

Some argue that the Earth is the best teacher of sustainable practices. How can nature’s organizing principles be applied in design, production of goods, and everyday living?

April 3: Buying

Daily messages tell us to buy, buy, buy. How can we escape from these cultural pressures, and instead only purchase what we truly need, from the most sustainable sources available?

April 10: Food

According to one author, our food travels an average of 1,300 miles before reaching our plates. How can we lessen our impact on the Earth through choices about the way we eat?

April17:  Communities

The more resources we use in the course of daily living, the larger our “ecological footprint” is. By looking at our actions within the framework of communities, we can learn to shrink that footprint- and gain a simpler, more balanced lifestyle

April 24:  Business and Economy

Is a growing economy equivalent to a healthy economy? What are other ways of measuring success, and how can we encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices and perspectives?

May 1:  Visions of Sustainability

Choices we make today are shaping the world of tomorrow. How can we create the most sustainable society for our future?