Energy (and Other) Events is a weekly mailing list published most Sundays covering events around the Cambridge, MA and greater
Boston area that catch the editor's eye.
Hubevents http://hubevents.blogspot.com is the web version.
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to Energy (and Other) Events email gmoke@world.std.com
What I Do and Why I Do It: The Story of Energy (and Other) EventsGeo
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Details of these events are available when you scroll past the index
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Index
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Monday, December 17
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8am Solar Roundtable
6pm Across the Aisle: Finding Common Ground in Congress
7pm The Anthropocene: How humans have pushed the planet into a new geological epoch
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Tuesday, December 18
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12pm Innovation Ecosystems: Leveraging their Power for Organizational Success and Strategic Change
1pm How to Hold the Fossil Fuel Industry Accountable for Climate Change
6pm The Energy Blockchain: A Festive Technology Tour
6pm Test & Iterate: Opioid Epidemic Idea
6:30pm GBH [Greater Boston Humanist] Discussion Group: Beginning a Dialogue on Humanist Community Building
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Wednesday, December 19
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7:30am Boston Sustainability Breakfast
8am Health and Wellness Roundtable with Dr. Joseph Allen of Harvard
2pm Data Science for Good Webinar
6:30pm Security: Rogue Device Attacks
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Thursday, December 20
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12:15pm Taking the Bizarre Seriously in Diplomatic History
1pm Open Civic Meeting at MIT Center for Civic Media
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My rough notes on some of the events I go to and notes on books I’ve read are at:
Demands of the Yellow Vests or Gilets Jaunes
My Approach to Climate Change
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Monday, December 17
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Solar Roundtable
Monday, December 17
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM EST
Edison, Floor 16, 50 Milk Street, Boston
Cost: $0 – $50
USGBC MA’s mission is to drive sustainable and regenerative design, construction, and operation of the built environment. The only way to accomplish our mission is to collaborate with community members. To that end, we are kicking off a series of practice (architects, engineers, contractors….) and topic (health & wellness, net zero, living buildings…) roundtables.
The Solar Roundtable will enable like-minded professionals to gather and explore specific issues, define actions, develop strategies and explore solutions related to solar in the green building industry. Join us in moving the needle towards a net positive environment, society, and economy.
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Across the Aisle: Finding Common Ground in Congress
Monday, December 17
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM EST
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, 210 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston
RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/across-the-aisle-finding-common-ground-in-congress-tickets-52628727942
A bipartisan panel of Members of Congress will gather at the Kennedy Institute to discuss the state of affairs in Washington, opportunities for common ground in the 116th Congress, the political challenges they face, and how to foster a vibrant civic dialogue. This program is hosted in partnership with the United States Association of Former Members of Congress.
Moderated by Paul Kane, Senior Congressional Correspondent and Columnist for The Washington Post, the panel will include:
Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL-15)
Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA-4)
Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK-2)
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-At Large)
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The Anthropocene: How humans have pushed the planet into a new geological epoch
Monday, December 17
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Mr. Crepe, 51 Davis Square, Somerville
The effects that humans have on the planet is so large that it has pushed us in a new geological era called 'the Anthropocene'. Our influence on nature equals the power normally unleashed by an asteroid striking the earth or the shift in tectonic plates. When did the 'Anthropocene' start and how long will it last?
The fact that we now know how much human activity influences the planet should allow us to be proactive and develop strategies to shape our world the way we wish it to be.
Professor Will Steffen talks about 'planetary boundaries' behind which we should not push the planet without risking an irreversible, abrupt shift. Others say that it is already too late to reverse course.
We can no longer speak of 'nature' as something separate from human influence. In the future, we have to think of nature as something we have to sustain, like tending to a garden. This is part of the new 'rewilding' movement, an effort to combat species extinction. A good example of this is the 'Oostvaarderplassen' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1GCkMrHc8I) in the Netherlands and the European Green Belt (http://www.europeangreenbelt.org/), formerly known as the Iron Curtain.
For further reading and viewing, please go to:
The Anthropocene: A man-made world (http://www.economist.com/node/18741749)
Can 'Rewilding' Restore Vanishing Ecosystems (http://www.ted.com/talks/george_monbiot_for_more_wonder_rewild_the_world?language=en)
Will Steffen - The Anthropocene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABZjlfhN0EQ)
Wildlife in the Anthropocene: Conservation Without Nature (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhd3hJEcvEo)
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Tuesday, December 18
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Innovation Ecosystems: Leveraging their Power for Organizational Success and Strategic Change
Tuesday, December 18
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Webinar
Innovation is a critical component to success in today’s ever-changing business landscape. It flourishes in an environment in which key stakeholders can connect, contribute, and share re-sources—in other words, when they are part of an innovation ecosystem.
Join us for a complimentary webinar: December 18, 2018 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
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How to Hold the Fossil Fuel Industry Accountable for Climate Change
Tuesday, December 18
1:00–2:00 p.m. EST
Webinar
Help reduce Big Oil's political influence.
Join our webinar for a closer look at how putting pressure on Big Oil can be a part of climate solutions, and how you can get involved [to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for climate change].
The fossil fuel industry has spent decades spreading climate science disinformation and paying industry lobbyists to obstruct climate action. Now, the same Big Oil companies that are responsible for the growing costs of climate change are trying to avoid being held accountable for their actions.
The Union of Concerned Scientists invites you to a webinar on how holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in climate change can help reduce Big Oil's political influence and pass strong climate policies.
A recent UCS report found that even today, fossil fuel companies continue to spread climate disinformation and fund third-party industry groups to lobby for anti-climate policies. While some companies have taken steps to distance themselves from anti-climate messages, it's not enough.
Please register for the webinar today, and join us for a closer look at how putting pressure on fossil fuel companies can be a part of climate solutions, and how you can get involved.
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The Energy Blockchain: A Festive Technology Tour
Tuesday, December 18
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
WeWork, 625 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-energy-blockchain-a-festive-technology-tour-tickets-53053746183
The energy industry is buzzing about the potential for blockchain technology to revolutionize grid efficiency. Solar panels can now be integrated within a decentralized blockchain network, allowing users to buy and sell energy without any central party validation. With solar markets growing each year and tech capability progressing in leaps and bounds, now is an exciting time to invest in the energy blockchain.
Solar expert and Power2Peer founder Dr. Nish Sonwalkar (ScD, MIT) invites you to join him for an open discussion as he reviews the technology that makes it possible: blockchain, photonic solar microgrids, software-defined network controllers (SDNC), peer-to-peer transactions and more. Dr. Sonwalkar will also provide an update on the progress of Power2Peer initiatives. Join us as we celebrate the festive season with what promises to be a spirited discussion on the future of blockchain and renewable energy!
Learn more about Power2Peer at https://power2peer.com
Brief Bio of Presenter/Host
Dr. Nish Sonwalkar (ScD., MIT), Founder, Power2Peer.com
Dr. Nish Sonwalkar is an inventor and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the development of innovative technologies related to solar thermal applications, open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OC-OTEC) evaporators and molecular dynamics of energy materials and nano-interfaces, such as Si and copper interfaces and optical coatings. As the former Principal Research Scientist and faculty at MIT, he developed the combined molecular dynamics (MD) and laser Raman spectroscopy methodology for the design of new material interfaces. With Power2Peer, Inc., Dr. Sonwalkar has created a blockchain-enabled adaptive solar microgrid platform for peer-to-peer power trading.
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Test & Iterate: Opioid Epidemic Idea
Tuesday, December 18
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston
Many of you joined us earlier this year to use design thinking to take on the opioid epidemic. It's a topic that means a lot to a lot of people. Recently, we had a new idea around this, we created a prototype and would love to test it then iterate with you all!
We'll also be sharing how to administer naloxone in case you ever come into a situation like that.
Please fill out this google form if you can attend!
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GBH [Greater Boston Humanist] Discussion Group: Beginning a Dialogue on Humanist Community Building
Tuesday, December 18
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Capital One Café, 24 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge
Come connect with your fellow Humanists, Atheists, and Agnostics in a friendly, thoughtful, moderated discussion. This week, we'll be talking about the role dialogue can play in building a humanist community. This event is free and open to the public.
In this loosely structured discussion setup, there will be group agreements laid out at the beginning, followed by introductions, then several rounds of discussion and open dialogue, with attendees taking care to listen to others thoughtfully:
What role has discussion and dialogue played in the way you build relationships?
What things make you feel able to be vulnerable with other people? What things make it more difficult?
What role does deep and open conversation play in the communities you are a part of?
How can we begin to build a productive community as Humanists or secular people?
Capital One Cafe is accessible by MTBA and is located steps away from the Harvard Square T station on JFK Street.
Editorial Comment: There are at least three meetings that happen at banks with community spaces now.
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Wednesday, December 19
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Boston Sustainability Breakfast
Wednesday, December 19
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM EST
Pret a Manger, 101 Arch Street, Boston
Join us every month for Net Impact Boston's informal breakfast meetup of sustainability professionals for networking, discussion, and moral support. It's important to remind ourselves that we are not the only ones out there in the business world trying to do good! Feel free to drop by Pret a Manger any time between 7:30 and 8:30 AM.
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Health and Wellness Roundtable with Dr. Joseph Allen of Harvard
Wednesday, December 19
8:00 AM
Bruner/Cott, 225 Friend Street, Suite 701, Boston
Cost: $0 – $50
Join USGBC MA’s Health and Wellness Roundtable, a venue for architects, designers, construction managers, and sustainability professionals to discuss issues related to healthy buildings.
Our special guest will be Dr. Joseph Allen, the Director of the Healthy Buildings Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Dr. Allen’s research reveals how air, temperature, lighting and noise affect our health. The results of his work, such as the Cogfx studies, have been instrumental in the design and construction industry.
Please join us for a morning discussion with Dr. Allen to hear about the three Cogfx studies and how his research has advanced the healthy building movement! Learn about Dr. Allen’s vision to make health an explicit factor in decision-making processes. Let’s discuss ways in which industry and practice can benefit and support academic research to advance the cause of the healthy building movement. Coffee and light breakfast fare will be provided
This event will be hosted by Bruner/Cott Architects, and is put on by USGBC MA.
Meet Dr. Allen
Dr. Allen researches community and occupational exposures and health risks related to a broad range of chemical, biological, physical and radiological stressors. In particular, he focuses on the built environment, emissions from building materials and consumer products, and building system performance, each of which has the potential for both positive and negative impacts on human health, well-being and productivity. He is the Director of the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard Center for Health and the Global Environment and faculty director of the Harvard Sensors for Health research group. Dr. Allen teaches a class on the Impact of Buildings on Human Health, and is the faculty advisor for a new initiative out of Harvard’s Office for Sustainability – the Harvard Healthier Building Materials Academy.
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Data Science for Good Webinar
Wednesday, December 19
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Webinar
We want to invite you to participate in ODSC Data Science for Good Webinar!
We will discuss how can we leverage data science and its versatile tools to solve real-life problems. Technologies progress and develop, data becomes more prolific and useful. How can we, as data scientists benefiting from this momentum, help the rest of the world catch up?
To access this webinar, please register using the link below:
We are bringing 4 speakers to present 30 minutes sessions.
Date: Dec 19th
Time: 2 - 4 pm EST
Agenda Detail:
Session 1 - Data wrangling to provide solar energy access across Africa (30 Minutes)
Speaker: Brianna Schuyler, Ph.D.
Abstract: More than 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity, and no documented financial history. A family can light their home and keep necessary electronics (such as a cell phone) charged using a small solar panel and battery, but most solar devices are not affordable to a vast number of people making $2 a day or less.
One solution to this problem is offering solar energy kits on a Pay As You Go basis, providing financial loans to families until they are able to pay off the cost of their device. However, people with severely restricted income oftentimes exhibit sporadic payment behavior which poses an interesting prediction problem. This rich and unique dataset can be used to develop credit profiles for individuals, allowing them access to credit for other life-changing loans or utilities.
In addition to financial information, the solar devices themselves send millions of bits of information regularly using a GSM chip. Information transferred through GSM, along with the financial data amassed through loan repayment, provide a fascinating dataset on which to model and explore. Data analysis and machine learning techniques allow increased energy access to those for whom the costs of solar were previously prohibitive, as well as increased adoption of renewable energy sources in a rapidly growing population.
Session 2 - Detecting semantic bias through interpretability (30 Minutes)
Speaker: Eric Schles
Abstract: In this session, we will juxtapose classical statistical interpretability techniques against cutting-edge techniques. We will show how these newer techniques allow us to interpret models like neural networks, ensembles and support vector machines. The two main new tools we will use are SHAP and LIME.
We will apply this to data synthetic datasets, showing how one could detect semantic bias (non-statistical bias).
More speakers to be announced soon!
ODSC Links:
Get free access to more talks like this at LearnAI:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPENDATASCI/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/odsc & @odsc
East Conference Apr 30 - May 3: https://odsc.com/boston
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Security: Rogue Device Attacks
Wednesday, December 19
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
MIT, Building E-51-315, 70 Memorial Drive, Cambridge
Federico Lucifredi - flucifredi acm org
A live demonstration of hacking with keystroke injection attacks
Abstract: We will be taking advantage of the inherent trust that computers place on what is believed to be a regular keyboard to unleash pre-programmed kesytroke payloads at well over 1000 words a minute. We access the host system and bypass traditional security countermeasures for payloads that can include reverse shells, binary injetion, brute force password attacks, and just about any attack that can be fully automated.
In this session we explore the fundamentals of attacks exploiting the trust the operating system places on USB human-interaction devices to demonstrate once again the old principle that if you can physically access a computing device, there is no real security to be had. I will review the hardware, its capabilities, how it can be used to breach OS security, and how attackers can enable it to perform a variety of nefarious tasks with its own suite of tools. I will then show how to build and install additional software and customize the device with binary or scripted payloads.
After exploring the building blocks of USB HID exploitation, we take the discussion to the next level by altogether removing the need for a device and exploring what attacks can be delivered directly by a plain USB cable. We dissect an easily-sourced, low-cost hardware implant embedded in a standard, innocent-looking USB cable providing an attacker with further capabilities, including among them the ability to track its own geolocation.
Clearly, complete control of a covert computer running with full system access can be used in a variety of network security attack scenarios that need to be accounted for in your threat model. We'll discuss applicable security countermeasures.
Use your newfound knowledge for good, with great power comes great responsibility!
Bio: Federico Lucifredi is The Ceph Storage Product Management Director at Red Hat, formerly the Ubuntu Server PM at Canonical, and the Linux “Systems Management Czar” at SUSE.
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Thursday, December 20
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Taking the Bizarre Seriously in Diplomatic History
WHEN Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, 12:15 – 2 p.m.
WHERE Harvard, One Brattle Square, Room 350, Cambridge
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION Social Sciences
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR International Security Program
SPEAKER(S) Ben Rhode, Ernest May Fellow in History & Policy, International Security Program
CONTACT INFO susan_lynch@harvard.edu
DETAILS An International Security Program Brown Bag Seminar. Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come, first served basis.
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Open Civic Meeting at MIT Center for Civic Media
Thursday, December 20
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
MIT Center for Civic Media, 20 Ames Street, Cambridge
We host weekly meetings every Thursday that are open to the public (except for the first Thursday of the month). This is a place to come with a question, request for feedback, or just to listen. At the start of the meeting you can bid for time, requesting things like a minute for an announcement or 5 minutes to introduce your project and ask for suggestions on folks to talk to about it.
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Upcoming Events
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Sunday, December 30
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Winter Solstice Lunch/Talk: Ellery Schempp Thoughts for the Future
Sunday, December 30
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
India Pavilion, 17 Central Square, Cambridge
We'll celebrate the recent Solstice, and coming of the Western Calendar New Year by having our traditional GBH Winter Secular Solstice Luncheon in association with other secular groups in the area.
We'll share in another Indian buffet meal at the India Pavilion in Central Square Cambridge.
Our special guest speaker is longtime member and supporter Ellery Schempp, who is well known throughout the Humanist community. As a kid he realized it was wrong to endure compulsory Bible-readings and prayers in the public school and won an historic case before the Supreme Court. He went on to earn his doctorate in Physics and to be a lifelong humanist activist. A Unitarian Universalist, he has been an advisory member of the Secular Coalition of America, the Secular Student Alliance, and a longtime supporter of various local groups.
His tentative topic is "Fun Memories for the Future: Thoughts for Young Humanists". We will fill in more information as we get it, but rest assured Ellery is an engaging speaker who spoke before us 8 years ago on the importance of narrative. He particularly looks forward to starting an engaging discussion. Join us to celebrate the our place in the Universe and among friends.
The India Pavillion in Central Square Cambridge (vegetarian options, only $14 per person for all you care to eat, not including drinks; bring cash or check, please). Parking in Cambridge is free on Sundays in metered and some non-metered spots, and several garages and lots in Central Square including several just steps away on Green Street. MBTA red line Central Square station and associated bus stops are also within the block.
RSVP here, or via Facebook, or by responding to your email list email, but NOT all three, please, so we can give the restaurant a good sense of our size. Thanks!
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Opportunity
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Announcing Destination 2040: The next long-range transportation plan for the Boston region
How would you improve the Boston region’s transportation system? That’s the question at the heart of the MPO’s preparations for Destination 2040, which the MPO expects to adopt in the spring of 2019.
Every four years, the MPO identifies the system’s strengths and weaknesses; forecasts changes in population, employment, and land use; and creates a plan to address existing and future mobility needs. The resulting long-range transportation plan (LRTP) allocates funding for major projects in the Boston region and guides the MPO’s funding of capital investment programs and studies.
Use the new Destination 2040 website at http://ctps.org/lrtp-dev to explore the state of the system; learn how the MPO will identify needs, revisit its vision and goals, and prioritize its investments; and share your own interests, concerns, and ideas.
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Resource
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Where is the best yogurt on the planet made? Somerville, of course!
Join the Somerville Yogurt Making Cooperative and get a weekly quart of the most thick, creamy, rich and tart yogurt in the world. Members share the responsibility for making yogurt in our kitchen located just outside of Davis Sq. in FirstChurch. No previous yogurt making experience is necessary.
For more information checkout.
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Free solar electricity analysis for MA residents
Solar map of Cambridge, MA
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Sustainable Business Network Local Green Guide
SBN is excited to announce the soft launch of its new Local Green Guide, Massachusetts' premier Green Business Directory!
To view the directory please visit: http://www.localgreenguide.org
To find out how how your business can be listed on the website or for sponsorship opportunities please contact Adritha at adritha@sbnboston.org
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Boston Food System
"The Boston Food System [listserv] provides a forum to post announcements of events, employment opportunities, internships, programs, lectures, and other activities as well as related articles or other publications of a non-commercial nature covering the area's food system - food, nutrition, farming, education, etc. - that take place or focus on or around Greater Boston (broadly delineated)."
The Boston area is one of the most active nationwide in terms of food system activities - projects, services, and events connected to food, farming, nutrition - and often connected to education, public health, environment, arts, social services and other arenas. Hundreds of organizations and enterprises cover our area, but what is going on week-to-week is not always well publicized.
Hence, the new Boston Food System listserv, as the place to let everyone know about these activities. Specifically:
Use of the BFS list will begin soon, once we get a decent base of subscribers. Clarification of what is appropriate to announce and other posting guidelines will be provided as well.
It's easy to subscribe right now at https://elist.tufts.edu/wws/subscribe/bfs
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The Boston Network for International Development (BNID) maintains a website (BNID.org) that serves as a clearing-house for information on organizations, events, and jobs related to international development in the Boston area. BNID has played an important auxiliary role in fostering international development activities in the Boston area, as witnessed by the expanding content of the site and a significant growth in the number of users.
The website contains:
A calendar of Boston area events and volunteer opportunities related to International Development - http://www.bnid.org/events
A jobs board that includes both internships and full time positions related to International Development that is updated daily - http://www.bnid.org/jobs
A directory and descriptions of more than 250 Boston-area organizations - http://www.bnid.org/organizations
Also, please sign up for our weekly newsletter (we promise only one email per week) to get the most up-to-date information on new job and internship opportunities -www.bnid.org/sign-up
The website is completely free for students and our goal is to help connect students who are interested in international development with many of the worthwhile organizations in the area.
Please feel free to email our organization at info@bnid.org if you have any questions!
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Boston Maker Spaces - 41 (up from 27 in 2016) and counting: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zGHnt9r2pQx8.kfw9evrHsKjA&hl=en
Solidarity Network Economy: https://ussolidarityeconomy.wordpress.com
Bostonsmart.com's Guide to Boston: http://www.bostonsmarts.com/BostonGuide/
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Links to events at over 50 colleges and universities at Hubevents: http://hubevents.blogspot.com
Thanks to
Fred Hapgood's Selected Lectures on Science and Engineering in the Boston Area: http://www.BostonScienceLectures.com
MIT Events: http://calendar.mit.edu
Harvard Events: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/harvard-events/events-calendar/
Harvard Environment: http://environment.harvard.edu/events/calendar/
Sustainability at Harvard: http://green.harvard.edu/events
Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/
Eventbrite: http://www.eventbrite.com/
Startup and Entrepreneurial Events: http://www.greenhornconnect.com/events/
Cambridge Civic Journal: http://www.rwinters.com
Cambridge Happenings: http://cambridgehappenings.org
Cambridge Community Calendar: https://www.cctvcambridge.org/calendar
If you have an event you would like to see here, the submission deadline is 11 AM on Sundays, as Energy (and Other) Events is sent out Sunday afternoons.
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