Can the Human Race Survive the Human Race?

This, one of my most requested presentations, asks and answers one of the most important questions of our times: Can human beings, the most ingenious species on the planet, undo the damage it has created and steer back onto a sustainable path?

In this talk, I present graphic evidence of the continuing decline of the planet's life support system and how unsustainable our way of life has become.

I then outline some of the most important social, economic, and environmental principles of sustainability and how they can be put into action to steer humanity back onto a sustainable course -- before it is too late.

The talk concludes with several exciting examples that demonstrate actions being taken by individuals, businesses, and governments illustrating the effectiveness of a principle- and systems-based approach to human development.

Creating Sustainable Shelter

This amazingly popular presentation which has been presented throughout the United States, presents the enormous -- and largely unrecognized - social, economic, and environmental impacts of providing human shelter. In this talk, explain where the impacts arise to help audience members create a framework for innovative and effective green building.

In this presentation, I also describe the many steps green builders can take to create homes that contribute to the larger goal of forging a sustainable future. Among these ideas are the importance of proper site selection, site protection during construction, resource efficiency, renewable energy use, wise wood use, green building materials, indoor air quality, waste recycling, and more.

I end this slide show with a frank yet encouraging discussion of the costs and many benefits of green building and use many slides that illustrate these ideas.

This talk is geared toward audiences interested in residential design and construction.

Profit from Green Building

This slide show and discussion outlines the impacts of commercial buildings - their construction and their occupation. I explain where the impacts arise and carefully outline the steps we can take to create buildings that help forge a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable future using examples that will delight the audience.

During this talk I examine the importance of site selection, site protection, resource efficiency, renewable energy use, wise wood use, green building materials, indoor air quality, adaptability, waste recycling, and more.

I include many exciting examples of green-built structures including skyscrapers, schools and universities, Olympic facilities, visitor centers, and more.

This talk concludes with an exciting discussion of a new economic concept - tunneling through the cost barrier - as well as a frank discussion of the costs and benefits of commercial green building.

This talk is geared toward audiences interested in commercial design and construction.

Comfort in Any Climate: Passive Solar Heating

Another popular slide show, based on my highly popular book, The Solar House, this presentation outlines key principles of residential passive solar design, such as proper orientation, glazing, insulation, achieving the proper mass to glass ratio, overhangs, and more. The concepts are illustrated with photos of successful passive solar homes taken throughout the United States.

In this talk, I also describe common problems with solar home design, ideas that are still being perpetuated today, and present ideas on ways we can avoid them.

This talk concludes with a discussion of the highly favorable economics of passive solar design and construction.

This talk may be tailored for general audiences as well as builders and architects.

Comfort in Any Climate: Passive Cooling

This slide show, based on my highly popular book, The Solar House, outlines a basic strategy for residential and commercial passive cooling for new as well as existing homes, then describes specific steps to achieve each goal with numerous photos.

This talk may be tailored for general audiences as well as builders and architects.

Superbia! 31 Ways to Create Sustainable Neighborhoods

Based on one of my newest books of the same title, this talk outlines what's wrong with urban and suburban neighborhoods, and how developers really missed the mark when designing our neighborhoods. I then describe a set of ideas that individuals can implement in their own neighborhoods to promote greater social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

In this talk, you will see how easy it is to create greater interdependence in our neighborhoods and how we can live saner, less stressful, less expensive, and less environmentally damaging lives.

I often present this in conjunction with the showing of the DVD, "The End of Suburbia."

This talk is geared toward general audiences, but can also be tailored to fit the needs of city officials, architects, builders, and developers.

The Science and Art of Natural Building

This presentation, based on my best-selling book, The Natural House, outlines the many reasons why we should consider using natural materials when building homes or remodeling existing homes.

The slide show introduces audiences to many of the natural building materials in use today, and offers some amazing photographs of naturally built homes.

This presentation is geared toward general audiences and is also popular among architects, builders, and code officials.

The End of Cheap Oil and Natural Gas -- and What We Can do About it?

Unbeknownst to most people, oil and natural gas production are about to peak. This pivotal point in human history could result in major social, economic, and environmental disruptions as prices rise and countries engage in all sorts of foolish behavior to keep the energy flowing.

In this slide show, I'll explain the cold, hard facts behind the most well-kept and potentially earth-shattering secret in the world: that oil and natural gas production is about to go into terminal decline, sending shock waves through the global economy.

I'll also outline what we can do about - as a country and as individuals, including many ideas presented in my newest book, The Home Energy Survival Guide (available in 2006). This slide show and talk is often given in conjunction with a public showing of the DVD, "The End of Suburbia."

EcoKids: Raising Children Who Care for the Earth

A funny, entertaining, and insightful look at parenting in modern times. Offers numerous tips on raising children right, including ways to instill a love for nature, sound (lasting) environmental values, and ecological literacy. Also describes ways to foster a deeper understanding of sustainability and ways to tackle the challenging problem of affluenza -- the all-consuming passion to consume.