Gulf Coasts gets ready to POWER UP!

In February 2012, IDEAS was invited to join the 2012 Power Up Energy Expo — hosted by Gulf Coast Energy Network — as a “Supporting Partner” to encourage emerging professionals and students to experience an incredible annual event.  Join us at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front in Pensacola Beach, Florida, March 19-21, 2012. Florida’s Gulf Coast is the perfect place to host our event to draw energy leaders, policy makers, scientists and engineers, and green building enthusiasts from all across the country.
Power Up Energy Expo will connect energy professionals and exhibitors for three days of networking to foster the exchange of important ideas and information impacting the renewable energy industry. Join us and develop new contacts in the exciting world of emerging energy technologies.

IDEAS members have privileged opportunities, including:

• 2 Complementary entries (FSU & FAMU)
• 1 Kiosk in the “Exhibition Expo”
• 20% OFF any IDEAS member
• Networking with Industry professional

For those interested in registering with the Discounted IDEAS rate, please reach out to: Think@ideasforus.org

http://PowerUpEnergyExpo.com

Alliance to Save Energy invites IDEAS to EE Global!

Five years ago, our affiliate partner — Alliance To Save Energy (ASE)“  welcomed hundreds of international delegates and thought leaders to what is now the most influential gathering of energy efficiency professionals the world over: the Energy Efficiency Global Forum (EE Global).

What to Know About EE Global 2012

• This will be the fifth EE Global, and the first to be held in Orlando, Florida. The international forum has been held twice in Washington, D.C., and also in Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium.
• Over 70% of attendees at EE Global identify as Director-level or above, making it the most concentrated gathering of influential energy efficiency professionals worldwide.
• The Peabody Resort, one of Orlando’s most luxurious hotels, is the location of this year’s event, and just happens to be minutes away from famed amusement parks, Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, and Sea World.

IDEAS has been recognized as an “Endorsing Sponsor” this year’s EE Global event in Orlando, FL!

• ALL IDEAS MEMBERS and SUPPORTERS have an opportunity to receive a 20% DISCOUNT.
• IDEAS will be tabling in the “Solutions Showcase” and will give us an opportunity to network with Industry professionals!
• Check out the One-Pager for details about the event or visit the website at http://EEGlobalForum.com

Please reach out if you’re interested:  Think@ideasforus.org

IDEAS For Us

IDEAS supports Nourish 9 Billion

Can you envision a world where our children’s children, and their children, have access to abundant, healthy and sustainable food supplies? Can you dream up a world where natural resources needed for our survival, including soil, water and biodiversity, are nurtured and cared for? Can you imagine a planet where those who produce the delicious food that nourishes us, also steward the land and all the life it bears, earning respect and fair compensation for their labor?

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Then join this movement. Speak up! Demand of your elected officials that they support sustainable farming practices. Over 400 experts from around the world have already come up with recommendations about what needs to be done. Their research (International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development, IAASTD) was endorsed by 59 governments in 2008, but none have implemented the necessary policy changes.

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These governments, and many more, will be gathering next  June 22-24, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Earth Summit. Let’s make sure they finally honor their promise and demand the most powerful nation on Earth to lead by example.

For more information, reach out to Samantha Ruiz at: samantha@ideasforus.org

DJ Chill Will spins OFF-THE-GRID with Solar Power!

Check out I.D.E.A.S. for UCF‘s very own DJ Chill Will, who helped to educate and raise awareness about Solar Power by DJing Off The Grid during last weeks UCF Market Day Wednesday’s event!

With the help of IDEAS Professional – Terry Hershner – from our OFF-The Grid helped set up a total of 100 watt CIGS thin-film Solar Panels was helping to charge a 12-volt battery, inverting from DC to AC and powering the entire DJ system!

   

A week later, the story was printed in the UCF Newspaper – The Central Florida Future. Check out the article and read up more on the project, HERE!

IDEAS For UCF

IDEAS FOR US files for 501(c)(3) Non-profit Status!

On January 25th, 2012, the executive board of IDEAS FOR US finished and submitted the necessary IRS forms to be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization with the purpose of facilitating the growing IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions) movement at K-12 schools, universities and communities; while providing consulting services, professional training programs, ideas incubation, chapter advancement and leadership development to a network of leaders across the World.

Check out the Board of Directors and coordinators who will be helping expand this movement into the future! Exciting things to come in 2012.

IDEAS For Us

Aquaponics Training Programs offered for IDEAS Members

In January 2012, IDEAS For Us partnered with a local urban aquaponics company — Sahib’s Aquaponics — to provide educational tours and professional training programs for students and community members.

           

Aquaponics is the joint cultivation of fish and plants in a man-made re-circulating ecosystem that allows sustainable natural food growing without the use of harmful pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The goal in these workshops is to empower people of all ages to grow their own food naturally, right in your own garden.

  

Sahib’s training workshops by Aquaponics Urban Guru’s are a wonderful way to learn and gain knowledge and the skills to successfully practice Aquaponics.

For those interested in additional pricing information and Signing up information for the Next Training Program, March 17th & 18th, please email IDEAS at: Think@IDEASforUs.org

2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy For All

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge, and opportunity the world faces today. Be it jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes , access to sustainable energy for all is essential for strengthening economies, protecting ecosystems and achieving equity. In fact, more than 1.4 billion people worldwide have no access to electricity, and 1 billion more only have intermittent access.Some 2.5 billion people – almost half of humanity – rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating. IDEAS has teamed up with the UN Foundation to help raise awareness and engage the IDEAS Movement with this Global effort to sustain the world with clean energy. This initiative will call for private sector and national commitments and attract global attention to the importance of energy for development and poverty alleviation! Visit: http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/

IDEAS Leaders get invited to White House Holiday Reception with President Obama

In July of 2011, IDEAS was recognized with an honorable mention by the White House and the Obama Administration, the 2011 Champions of Change award: Youth Greening Schools.

IDEAS chapters in Central Florida represent the movement and the founding chapter, UCF!

To show his appreciation for our efforts, President Obama invited the co-founders — Chris Castro & Hank Harding — to represent the IDEAS movement at the White House on December 14th for a special Holiday Reception.

Chris and Hank land in Washington DC at 9:30am and jump on a Clean Natural Gas bus to Downtown DC.

Through an incredible 1-day journey to the Capital, Chris and Hank met with Brandon Chase (PSU chapter co-founder and DOE employee), visited Occupy DC, enjoyed an amazing 3-hour Holiday Reception at the White House, met with Scott Minos & Edwin Luevanos (IDEAS Professionals & DOE professionals) and returned back to Orlando, safe and sound.

                      

Let this be an incredible light of inspiration for all IDEAS chapters! One of the highest levels of recognition an organization could ever get, and something we could all take back home!

IDEAS For Us

ALLIANZ claims IDEAS as “Your Climate Story” Winner for 2011!

Over the past year, IDEAS has grown at an exponential rate; implementing innovative solutions on campus and communities acorss the nation to catalyze positive environmental change.

Recently, ALLIANZ Knowledge, an International Climate and Energy organization out of Germany and  partner of the United Nations, claims IDEAS as the “Your Climate Story” winner for 2011!

Check out the incredible article and recognition! —-> http://knowledge.allianz.com/?1713/your-climate-story-winner-good-ideas-fight-climate-change 

A big thanks to the Allianz team for recognizing IDEAS as a leader in the movement towards a more prosperous and sustainable future for all!
IDEAS For Us

Top 11 of 2011

This year was a remarkable and historic year in IDEAS since our inception in 2008. In just this year alone, IDEAS chapters grew to 11 new universities, implemented 50+ events, expanded our International initiative in Haiti, and were awarded over 6 national awards – including recognition from the U.S. White House and Obama Administration as the “Champions of Change” for Youth Greening Schools in America.

We encourage you to check out the Top 11 of 2011 and see the incredible progress that was made at over 15 universities and K-12 schools across the Nation.