_ The Zero Emissions Strategy Conference

... The Participant's Contribution

When we first set out on this venture in the beginning of the summer, I explained to my colleague and co-leader of the August demonstration Robert Ayres that in some ways at least this was going to be like a party. If it was to succeed, it would be due to the conference's having a strong and timely theme, careful planning, and the continuous, assiduous and smiling presence of the hosts. But that at the end of the day (night?) the real success, the real achievement would be a function of the people who showed up and what they bring to it. And so it is.

REGISTER for conference or otherwise let us know of your interest
Introduce yourself with enough detail so that others will know who you are and what you are up to that relates to our several topics.
Contribute either directly or through your suggestions to the Podium. As one of the central elements of the conferences, it warrants careful development. Thus far, we are doing quite well there, but it will have to be extended, updated and supported as we go along. This of course is an entirely collaborative venture.
Comment and criticize the various Podium presentations
If you are involved in (or know of) a program, journal, project or other that others could usefully know about, let us know, either via a good summary or, better yet if they exist, links to the relevant Web sites.
Working papers and reports that might be of use for the reference library (ftp site)will be much appreciated.
Case studies (and ideas for case studies) of specific industrial or other on-the-ground examples of 'Generation III Eco-efficiency' technology deployments
Help us in notifying others in your personal and professional networks about our conference.
If you have or know of an event that might interest the others, let us know and we can post it into our Menology.
Take an active role in the discussions. Of course it goes without saying that you will respect the fact that our colleagues are busy people, so we need not laden them overly with our personal ramblings. Still, the topic area is a vast one, and divergences of views and priorities do need to be set out clearly for all to see and appreciate.
Views and critiques on the workings of our Web site and other virtual conferencing elements... and in particular your views on the tough question: are we providing the guidance that is needed for those who are less familiar with the Web, so that they too can fully benefit from the conference and its many extensions?
As you first enter the conference and then as you continue to use it, when you spot specific problems or annoyances, let us know. Maybe we can fix them. (Indeed many of the changes that are helping to turn this into a more accessible and friendly work environment are due to just such remarks. So, you don't need to be kind; just let us know so that we can deal with it).
Technical support and counsel on various aspects of the Web site and the "electronic environment" more generally are both needed and much appreciated.
Don't be shy about letting us know about eventual sponsors, sources of financing or other forms of support, if you think this effort warrants it. Such support is much needed.
Follow-up proposals and offers (and solicitations) of collaboration. This undertaking is trying to make a difference. We are providing raw materials for the scientific and policy communities (and for businesses), and we dearly would like to see some concrete accomplishments and yet other efforts come out of all this.
Finally, notice that small bicycle up top? Well that is a quiet reminder to the other side of the sustainable development coin, that of our personal behavior. Each and all of us. Maybe it would be a good idea if we spent some time in considering how those of us who are participating in this conference might make some small changes in our own daily life patterns and choices that would lessen our resource take and effluents on our over-charged planet. You will find a separate discussion forum on this and it will be interesting to hear what you have to propose there as well.

Did we miss anything? Are we asking too much? Let us know.

Communications, Etiquette, Netiquette, et al

When you join a discussion or post a comment, please bear in mind that your colleagues here are not only distinguished and busy, but that many of them are not all that familiar with the Web and electronic discussion groups more generally. The latter are often too chatty and rather too rambling for present purposes. In a phrase, this is not a coffeehouse.
For that reason, let us all be a bit careful in the way we address people who after all may be strangers coming from diverse cultures. It will thus be a good idea to avoid precipitous use of first names, and certainly, bearing in mind that more than half the participants come from other language backgrounds, it will be important (in particular for the WELL-wise Americans among us) to avoid slang and jargon. As opposed to the classic newsgroups practice then, let us look carefully before posting our remarks, ensure that we have avoided 'insider' language, and been a bit careful with our spelling and punctuation (which can create problems for non-native speakers). This little bit of respect in address and care with language should go a long way to making this an agreeable and creative forum for the people whom we are bringing together with this initiative.

__ Your comments?

__ The Conference Podium