Find us on Facebook!  Carteret County Crossroads has recently launched a Facebook page. Please check it out; it’s a great local forum for finding and sharing information about current environmental issues.

Community Forum on the Potential for Offshore Wind Energy Development in North Carolina
7-9 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2012 in Joslyn Hall at Carteret Community College.

First in Flight, First in Wind Forum: Join the NC Chapter of the Sierra Club for a panel discussion about the opportunities and obstacles for the development of offshore wind energy in the Tar Heel state. North Carolina has incredible wind potential, with better shallow-water wind resources than any other state on the Atlantic Coast - potentially 140 GW of total offshore wind capacity. On July 1, 2011, Governor Bev Perdue signed Executive Order No. 96, establishing North Carolina’s Offshore Wind Economic Development Task Force. Come learn about the next steps to be taken to realize this potential source of clean renewable energy for North Carolina.

The forum is organized by the NC Sierra Club and co-hosted by Carteret Community College, NC Interfaith Power and Light and Carteret County Crossroads.

Dr. Stan Riggs, East Carolina University, headlines the 32nd Annual Crossroads Meeting!
7 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 in Joslyn Hall at Carteret Community College.

Dr. Riggs is a coastal and marine geologist who has been doing research on modern coastal systems since 1964 and has been on the faculty at East Carolina University since 1967. Much of his work over the years has dealt directly with integrating scientific understanding with utilization and management of various coastal systems including such critical issues as climate change and sea-level rise, shoreline erosion and land loss, hazard zone delineation, inlet dynamics, water quality, habitat preservation and natural resources.

Dr. Riggs and others have recently published a book, The Battle for North Carolina's Coast: Evolutionary History, Present Crisis and the Vision for the Future. In discussion of the new book, Dr. Riggs states, “Our vision for the future of North Carolina’s coastal system and associated economy is based upon living in harmony with the coast. The vision for the coastal system of southeastern N.C., which is already largely urbanized, presents islands of opportunity for adaptation to change. This discussion should begin now, so that as the never-ending stream of storms takes its toll, we can systematically begin adapting to the changing conditions”. The book offers a hopeful vision for the coast’s future if the state’s residents are willing to adapt to the barriers’ ongoing and natural processes.

Please join us at 6:30 p.m. for coffee and cookies and a chance to bid on the arts and crafts in our annual silent auction. Prior to the presentation by Dr. Riggs we will hear brief comments from Crossroads President, Mark Hooper, and an update from our Partner Organization, the Carteret Local Food Network.

The Clean County Coalition is a grassroots movement that supports environmentally friendly public policy and business in Carteret County.

The Carteret Local Food Network was established in 2008 to promote the benefits of buying fresh, local food. Carteret County residents can find information and learn about community food projects as well as locate sources for community gardens and local farmers. Visit their website at www.carteretlocalfood.org.