Doors open at 10:30 am for coffee and conversation.
Sunday Gathering begins at 11 a.m.
Childcare is provided. Everyone is welcome!
Program ends at 12:30 p.m.

Featured Speaker: Twyla Dell Ph.D. “What Is An Energy Transition & Where Are We In This One?”
Community Moment: Nate Brame
Musical Guest: Jacob Bigus

“What Is An Energy Transition and Where Are We In This One?”

We talk A LOT about energy efficiency, climate change, global warming and, of course, that wonderful word “sustainability.” But do we have ANY real idea where we are in all this? Are we in an energy transition or not? As a community are we doing our best? What does an energy transition feel like? What will our life be like when we move from oil-based to solar-based living?

In this session Twyla Dell, Ph.D., will share some of her dissertation on the fuel and energy history of Kansas City, “Wood Pile to Wind Turbines: Kansas City’s Energy History from 1820 to 2020.” Much has happened on the banks of the Missouri as it turns north and forced passengers on river boats to abandon water transportation “at the jumping off point” of Kansas City. From the limestone pier pioneers made their way to Westport to outfit for a trek across the prairie in a very Wood Age energy suite—horse, wagon, grass as fuel for horses and oxen to walk across the prairie.

Two hundred years later we can look back at Kansas City’s history through an energy lens and see what the story tells us about energy transitions. From walking to riding a train to flying, we have made it to California from here. We have used every kind of fuel and energy combination available to get there.

We will learn the difference between fuel and energy, see three fuel/energy transitions at work, and focus on the Kansas City community as its advances into the new world of alternative fuels. We can also question what we want our communities to look like in 2100 vs. what we fear they may become?

Twyla Dell received her Ph.D. in environmental studies from Antioch University New England in 2009 where she studied fuel and energy transitions and the Kansas City community’s passage from one to the next. She expects to publish “Wood Pile to Wind Turbine” in 2017. Her entrepreneurial fable, “The Great Jelly Bean War,” how to share nature’s bounty while protecting it for the future, will be published this spring.

*By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (https://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/)