Humanity is in a crucial moment of transition. The climate crisis is real. Issues of renewable energy are among the things we need to consider for a sustainable future. What technological issues regarding our generation, distribution, storage, and conservation of electrical power must we prioritize at this moment?

Technological pioneers Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla have given us prosperity in the past with their numerous innovations, inventions, and patents over many decades, from 1870 to 1940.

Looking forward, what innovative opportunities does the 21st century hold? How will we meet the world’s increasing need for efficient, low carbon energy generation and distribution?

Will Elon Musk with his enterprises help give us a secure future? Or should we put more trust in the corporate media and our elected administrators?

Drawing from his experience and expertise as a Master Electrician and the inventor of an electric car in 1970, Jerry Paschen will share his thought-provoking insights and ideas about quintessential questions that concern us all. Born in Berlin in 1938 and immigrating to Canada when he was 19, Paschen has been fascinated with all matters electrical since he was a teenager, earning his Master Electrician license in 1966.

Active in public service while in Canada, Jerry served on the Board of the Archaeological Society for 16 years, and on the Provincial Government Environmental Board’s “Environmental Council” for 20 years, proposing resolutions to the Minister of the Environment. He ran at least 16 times for civic, provincial, and federal elections for the Green Party, and in 1982 was almost elected into the Cabinet.

Jerry and his wife Betty have been community members of Ashland, Oregon for over 40 years. They bought a city lot in Ashland in 1982, built a house and returned every winter thereafter as snowbirds. In 2003 Jerry and Betty raised $1.2 million among 60 share-holders and erected an industrial wind turbine. He and his son Syd installed numerous photovoltaic installations in Alberta, including at the Cold Lake Airport and on Native reservations, both on and off-grid. At present, Jerry and his group have six anemometer stations in the Rogue Valley registering wind speeds.

FREE ADMISSION – 1757 Ashland St., Ashland, OR. One mile west of I-5 Exit 14