GVSU hosts carbon economy seminar

MUSKEGON, Mich. — Grand Valley State University's Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) and the Michigan Small Business Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) will co-host a seminar to provide an introduction to the basics of the "cap and trade" emissions program under consideration by Congress, and related topics. 
 
The free seminar, titled "Coming to Terms with a Carbon Constrained Economy," is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at MAREC, 200 Viridian Dr., Muskegon, MI 49440.

The last major international agreement on environmental standards, The Kyoto Protocol, is set to expire in 2012. Its successor is expected to be finalized this year at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit in Denmark. With this and other greenhouse gas management developments on the horizon, carbon management will become an essential piece to any organization's sustainability strategy.

The seminar will offer businesses, local and regional officials, policy leaders and others, an introduction to the theories, economics, and business models linked to an emerging carbon regulated environment. The seminar will discuss why there is a need for carbon reduction, carbon measurements, practical reduction strategies, carbon trading and carbon inventory management.

The event is free, but RSVPs are requested by September 8 to ensure seating. For more information or to register, call MAREC at (616) 331-6900 or (616) 331-6905.