British journalist George Monbiot, author of "Heat: How to Stop the Planet from Burning, "notes in his book "that nobody ever rioted for austerity." We are very concerned about climate change and would like to take measures to stop greenhouse gas emissions as long as we do not have to change our way of life too much.

Monbiot goes on to note, "The campaign against climate change is an odd one. Unlike almost all the public protests which have preceded it, it is a campaign not for abundance but for austerity. … Which is why we hear so much talk about the problem but so little talk about sacrifice."

Sacrifice, defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, is "to surrender or give up something for the attainment of some higher advantage or dearer object." Sacrifice has a bad reputation in a culture where entitlement and consumerism are strong values. Reminding ourselves about times when we have given up something for a dearer object, such as our children and grandchildren, might help us form a real policy, both personal and community and country wide to stop further climate chaos.

Here are some upcoming opportunities:

Oak Creek Work Party: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Help remove ivy and blackberry from Oak Creek. Tools and snacks provided. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and bring water bottle. Meet in front of the Oak Creek Building, 30th Street and Western Boulevard. If you come late call 905-0598 for directions to work area. For more information contact Violet at 737-8636 or depoev@onid.orst.edu.

How to Go Solar Workshop Series comes to Corvallis: All workshops at the Oddfellows Hall, 223 S.W. Second St.

• Basics of Going Solar: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday. This free workshop is designed to cover the basics of why solar is a smart choice in Oregon. We will show you how well solar works in Oregon, identify available solar technologies and financial incentives, and discuss how to go about choosing a contractor. Please RSVP as space is limited.

• How to Buy a Solar Eclectric (PV) System: 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 29. This three-hour workshop covers information on PV cell and module technology, solar monitoring information and system options and applications. It includes site analysis and financial incentives and local case studies. $10 for Solar Oregon and Solar Creek members, $20 for nonmembers.

• How to But a Solar Hot Water System: 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 29. Learn about site analysis, solar hot water technology, incentives and case studies. $10 for Solar Oregon and Solar Creek members, others $20.

Sign up for one or more workshops at www.solaroregon.org or email info@solaroregon.org.

Third Annual Luckiamute River and Ash Creek Celebration: 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 15. Join in an afternoon of fun for the whole family with music by Truman Price, guided vineyard tour, wine tasting, readings from local writers, and volunteer awards. At Airlie Winery, 15205 Dunn Forest Road. Call Christine at 503-838-8804 or lwc@wou.edu. Free. Sponsored by Luckiamute Watershed Council.

Bicycle Birding with Don Boucher: 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 23. Meet at the Avery Park Rose Garden for this up-close and personal birding experience. Free. For more information call 753-7689 or bouchdon@peak.org.

Rural Living Basics - Well Water and Septic Systems: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Learn more about your drinking water, well and septic systems and how to protect your family's health and the safety of your groundwater. Free, but please preregister at 766-35556 or e-mail wellwater@oregonstate.edu. You may bring a cup of your well water for a free nitrate screening. Monroe High School Library. Sponsored by OSU Extension, Benton Soil and Water Conservation District and South Willamette Valley Groundwater Management Area.

• 8th Annual Passport to Healthy Gardens Organic Garden Tour: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16. Self-guided tour of 10 organic gardens including ornamental, vegetable, eco-roofs, charming courtyard gardens and native plants. A variety of designs and styles with ideas you can take home and implement. Tickets $7 in advance (12 and under free) available at both First Alternative Co-ops, Grass Roots Books, Inside Out Garden Visions, Garland Nursery, Tom's Garden Center, Shonnard's Nursery, Home Grown Gardens or call 752-3517 or cnwei@peak.org. for tickets or more information. Day of tour tickets $9 and will be available at first tour stop, 445 N.W. Seventh St., Corvallis (enter through garage on Tyler). The tour benefits Corvallis Northwest Earth Institute and funds its local sustainability work.

Kincaid's Lupine Seed Cleaning Volunteer Work Party: 6 p.m. Sept. 18. The Institute for Applied Ecology will host a seed-cleaning party to prepare federally threatened Kincaid's lupine seeds for reintroduction efforts in the Corvallis area this fall. Food and drinks provided. To volunteer, contact Jen Cramer, jcramer@peak.org, 753-3099.

Grand opening of the Oregon State University Student Sustainability Center (SSC): 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 18. A new place for environmentally conscious individuals and groups in the Corvallis community to come together for collaboration and networking. Located at 738 S.W. 15th St., Corvallis. Contact Shayna Rogers: rogersha@onid.orst.edu or 737-8636

Naturescaping Your Land: 7 to 9 p.m., begins Sept. 18. Six-week course for homeowners with large city lots or rural property. Sponsored by Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, Corvallis Environmental Center and others. Fire Station No. 5, Fair Oaks Drive off Walnut Boulevard. Corvallis Environmental Center, 753-9211.

Sustainable Building Network monthly Green Building lecture and roundtable: Noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 20. CH2MHill, Walnut Blvd. and Professional Way. Jason Yaich, jyaich@comcast.net

Oregon State University Green Roof Project tour: 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 22. Take a tour of OSU's Green Roof Project and join in a discussion concerning the role of green roofs in the urban environment. Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture, 844 S.W. 35th St. Erin Shroll at shrolle@onid.orst.edu or cell: 541.207.6840.

Nature and Ritual - Autumn Equinox at Shotpouch Creek: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 23. Led by teacher, editor and author Lorraine Anderson, this workshop will explore the use of ritual and creating rituals to celebrate the beauty around us, to heal what is wounded in our spirits and to weave a strong connection to the earth. Held at the cabin at Shotpouch Creek, 20 miles west of Corvallis in the Coast Range. $40 for the day, space limited to 15. Preregister by calling 738-2868 or lorraine@earthtones.com. Sponsored by the Spring Creek Project for Ideas, Nature and the Written Word.

On-line Wildlife Stewards Training: Anytime, Sept. 24. Training for teachers and volunteers to work in partnership with public and private organizations to assist students and teachers to create, use and sustain wildlife habitats on school grounds. Sponsored by the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District. The location is on your computer. For more information contact www.wildlifestewards.4h.oregonstate.edu or 541-766-6750

Why Should I Vote Yes on Ballot Measure 49: 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25, Corvallis- Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, this event will include a presentation by Lane Shetterly, followed by discussion about actions people can take to support measure 49.For more information contact Annette Mills (571-451-5867 or amills@virginiavillageproductions.com

Choices for Sustainable Living: 7 to 8:30 p.m., begins Sept. 26 for nine weeks, Corvallis High School, room H-2. Participants will explore the ties between their lifestyle choices and their impact on the planet and learn alternative ways to meet their needs. $16 materials fee. Sponsored by Northwest Earth Institute and the Benton Center. Contact Maureen at 752-3517 or cnwei@peak.org.

Reviving Biodiversity in Corvallis - Film, Discussion and Music Series: 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 29.at 101 N.W. 23rd St. (corner of Monroe Avenue & 23rd). "Reclaiming Our Water," a one-hour film by Dave Eckaert, tell how one community changed its future by learning to reuse its treated sanitary sewage. Followed by discussion about Corvallis' plan to reuse its treated wastewater on the Greenberry Irrigation District. Music by Cassandra Roberts. For more information contact Dave at deckert@virginiavillageproductions.com or 571-451-5867

Fourth Annual Corvallis Green and Solar Tour: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6. Self-guided tour will include solar electric, solar hot water, passive solar design, straw bale, geothermal heating and green building materials. Tickets are $10 and maps are available at First Alternative Co-op, 1007 S.W. 3rd St. and 2855 N.W. Grant Ave., and at Footwise Birkenstock Store, 310 S.W. Madison Ave., and at the Corvallis Environmental Center, 214 S.W. Monroe Ave. After the tour there will be an evening presentation on Solar Power - A Global Economic Engine Revolution, by Christopher Dymond. Location to be announced. For more information call James at 231-8772 or james@abundant solar.com

Society of Architectural Historians NW Chapter Annual Conference: Oct. 12 - 14, OSU Memorial Union. PreservationWORKS and other groups will discuss "Stewardship & Sustainability: Shaping Cultural Landscapes in the 21st Century" at the group's first-ever conference in Corvallis.

For registration materials for the three-day event contact: BA Beierle at 738-6487 or babeierle@comcast.net

To avoid late fee, registration must be received by Sept. 20.

The Magic Barrel - A Benefit Reading for Hunger Relief: 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Majestic Theatre (sponsored by the Spring Creek Project). Contact: Sarah Williams at 737-8901 or Sarah.Williams@oregonstate.edu

Local Food Fest! 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 19. First Alternative Natural Foods South Store, 1007 S.E. 3rd St., Corvallis. Celebrate the benefits of buying local at the First Alternative! 6% off all Local 6 products at both stores, PLUS music, vendor demos, and a local film fest at the South Store from 3-7 p.m. Stick around for a Corvallis Bellydance Guild performance to raise funds for the family of Robert Hunt, late and great local photographer. For more information: Donna Kaiser, 753-3115 x 328.