Event

Muddy Boot Organic Festival, Connecting Communities in a Changing Climate

Author and environmentalist Bill McKibben kicks off the Muddy Boot Organic Festival weekend with this keynote address beginning 7pm on September 11. The title of his address is The Most Important Number in the World. Opening remarks will be made by former Oregon Secretary of State, Bill Bradbury.

McKibben is the author of The End of Nature, the first book on climate change aimed at a general audience, Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future and many other works. He is also a cofounder of 350.org <http://350.org> , whose mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis. The number 350 is significant because it is the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit of parts per million of CO2 in our atmosphere. According to scientists, we are already above 350 ppm, and 350.org <http://350.org> s goal is to mobilize an international movement to bring our planet back to 350. The founders of 350.org <http://350.org> are coordinating a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009, just a few weeks after our Muddy Boot Organic Festival.

The Muddy Boot Organic Festival will continue September 12 and 13 in a vibrant, bustling, outdoor sustainability-themed festival featuring stellar live music, organic and sustainable foods and beverages, information booths, sustainable products, educational workshops, and fun activities for families and children. The live music lineup includes musical performers Weinland, Portland Cello Project, Stephanie Schneiderman, Freak Mountain Ramblers, the March Fourth Marching Band and others.

The Muddy Boot Organic Festivals mission is to promote sustainable living practices within our local communities, thereby enhancing the health of our world, our neighborhoods and ourselves. The theme of this years festival is Connecting Communities in a Changing Climate.

For more information, please visit www.muddyboot.org <http://www.muddyboot.org/> .