Mark Your Calendars for The Carbon Summit!
A sustainability event coming to Caldwell this summer
Story by Lex Nelson
From Wednesday-Thursday, June 16-17, a first-of-its-kind sustainability event will debut at The College of Idaho in Caldwell: The Carbon Summit. This two-day event is the brainchild of public benefit agency group US Energy. Its main focus will be regenerative sustainable agriculture, but that’s far from the only topic the 20-plus speakers will cover. As US Energy Development Director Jason Marmon put it, “We’re planting seeds and growing communities. The Carbon Summit was built out as a platform for identifying, promoting, and scaling eco solutions.”
Attendees will learn from a host of impressive keynote speakers including world-renowned soil scientist Ray Archuleta of the recent “Kiss the Ground'' documentary and Idaho State Conservationist Curtis Elke of the National Resources Conservation Service. The summit will also offer collaborations with organizations like Interfaith Sanctuary, NeighborWorks Boise, and the Nez Perce Tribe in addition to breakout sessions; expert panels; and meals provided by Desert Mountain Grass-Fed Beef. Finally, guests will enjoy a “S.E.E.D.S. Show” based on US Energy’s core principles: Sustainability, Education, Efficiency, Diversity, and Safety. The topics covered will range from soil health to energy consumption, sustainable agriculture, and infrastructure.
“We’re essentially trying to solve localized problems which can be templated, scaled, and shared regionally, nationally, and internationally,” Marmon said. “The key to sustainability is that if you’re going to be able to integrate sustainable solutions, they have to be easy. If they’re not easy then they’re not sustainable because people won’t do them.”
The summit will be held in person at The College of Idaho in Caldwell, but US Energy will also distribute its content virtually. Marmon’s goal is to uplift as many sustainable innovations, individuals, and organizations as possible. He hopes the Carbon Summit’s diversity of speakers will reinforce the fact that even areas as seemingly disparate as water quality and homelessness are interconnected. That idea is woven into the name of the summit itself.
“Carbon is the glue that holds us together as a society, as humanity. It’s often vilified by climate change but it’s why we’re alive, because of carbon and because the molecular structure of it binds with things to create life,” Marmon said.
The cost and agenda of The Carbon Summit is still in flux, but more than 1,200 people have already RSVPed via Linked In. You can join them and stay up to date on the latest speakers, breakout sessions, and more here.
Note: FARE Idaho is Carbon Summit sponsor.
