For Immediate Release: April 20, 2009
Contact: Annie Strickler (ICLEI) 510.844.0699 x328
Local Governments Host Events to Connect Neighbors, Businesses, Universities, and Civic Leaders to Drive Climate Change Solutions
Nationwide – This Earth Day dozens of local governments across the country are taking the old adage “Think Globally, Act Locally” to a new level by participating in the National Conversation on Climate Action. They will bring together thousands of people in communities across the country – from Sumter, South Carolina, to Los Angeles, California – to drive local level solutions to global climate change in unique events designed to inform and inspire action. At a time when headlines are dominated by reports of the struggling economy, job losses, energy concerns and climate change, there is a critical need for communities to be active and engaged on these issues.
More information about this unprecedented initiative: www.climateconversation.org.
Watch the video all events will screen: http://www.climateconversation.org/index.php?id=9645
The National Conversation is lead by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Earth Day Network and AmericaSpeaks. It is supported by the American Planning Association, National League of Cities, Sierra Club, the US Green Building Council and many other prominent organizations.
“Earth Day 2009 arrives at a unique moment in history, and it demands an equally new, bold approach. We can create green jobs, boost the economy, drive clean energy solutions and fight global warming together, but it starts with a conversation,” said Michelle Wyman, Executive Director of ICLEI USA. ‘Today that conversation will begin in communities from Connecticut and Florida to Washington and California and everywhere in between.”
Among the communities participating in the National Conversation, the following were selected as Spotlight Conversations as their challenges, opportunities and commitment to solutions merit special attention: Greenburgh, New York; Hennepin County, Minnesota; Houston, Texas; Jackson, Wyoming; Lexington, Kentucky (Fayette County); Los Angeles County, California; Sarasota County, Florida; Sumter, South Carolina; and Tucson, Arizona. Summaries of their events are below.
“We are delighted to be part of the National Conversation to help bridge the gap between climate science and action,” said Anthony Leiserowitz, Director of the Yale F&ES Project on Climate Change.
Across the country the National Conversation on Climate Action is putting a spotlight on the pioneering role of local governments in addressing global climate change. Local government officials have been driving our country’s response to this global crisis through innovation and inspired action.
“Earth Day Network is honored to be part of the National Conversation on Climate Action, which seeks to build local support for climate change solutions. So often, the key to resolving out national issues can be found at the local level, particularly when it comes to the environment,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network. “We expect the lessons we learn from these conversations will resonate in the highest levels of our government, and with people from all walks of life.”
The 2009 National Conversation reflects the burgeoning demand from local governments for support on community outreach and engagement on climate initiatives. It will enable them to build broader, sustained citizen support for and involvement in local climate protection strategies.
“Climate change affects everyone – all citizens must have the opportunity for open, informed dialogue with each other and the ability to work with decision-makers to take actions in their communities. AmericaSpeaks is excited to work with the Spotlight Conversation sites to produce results-oriented town meetings,” said Carolyn Lukensmeyer, President of AmericaSpeaks.
A new Climate Change at Yale web portal is now available online. The site inventories climate change related research, teaching, outreach, and carbon emissions reduction efforts at Yale University.
Press Contact: Kim Billings
603-862-1558
University Spokesperson
December 19, 2007
DURHAM, N.H. — Berrien Moore III, founding director of the University of New Hampshire’s Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space (EOS) since 1987, announced today he has accepted leadership of a new climate initiative, Climate Central, based in Princeton, N.J. and Palo Alto, Calif.
Climate Central is an emerging, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing the public, business and civic leaders, and policymakers with objective and understandable information about climate change and potential solutions.
A mathematician by training, Moore has been a prominent participant in both the scientific investigation and policymaking aspects of climate change for nearly 30 years. He has written more than 150 papers on the carbon cycle, global biogeochemical cycles, and global change, written numerous policy documents in the area of the global environment, chaired international scientific committees, and testified before congressional committees.
From 2004-2006, Moore co-chaired a National Research Council decadal survey, “Earth Observations from Space: A Community Assessment and Strategy for the Future.” Most recently, Moore was among the network of scientists who shared in the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). For the IPCC’s Third Assessment Report, published in 2001, Moore served as the coordinating lead author for the final chapter, “Advancing our Understanding.”
Moore joined the UNH faculty in 1969, soon after earning a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Virginia. A professor of systems research, he received the university’s 1993 Excellence in Research Award and was named University Distinguished Professor in 1997.
“We thank Berrien for his leadership in establishing and building EOS into the world class institute that it has become,” said UNH President Mark W. Huddleston. “We are extremely grateful for his leadership and service to UNH and for his substantial service to science and society in general. While we are sad that Berrien is leaving, he has many wonderful opportunities ahead of him and he will remain connected with us here at UNH.”
Since the mid-1980s, Moore has served on many National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) committees working on aspects of Earth observation and study using space-based technologies. In 1987, he was appointed chairman of NASA’s senior science advisory panel and was a member of the NASA Advisory Council. In May 1992, upon completion of his chairmanship, Moore was presented with NASA’s highest cilias award, the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, for outstanding service to the agency. He was the recipient of the 2007 Dryden Lectureship in Research by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
“EOS has become an internationally recognized center of excellence in graduate education and research, providing unique research opportunities for UNH undergraduates,” Moore said. “EOS is well positioned to advance its role in understanding our complex Earth, ocean and space systems.”
PRESS CONTACT
Tom Conroy
203-432-1345
Melissa Goodall
203-432-3123
New Haven, Conn. — Governors from across the United States will meet at Yale University on April 17 and 18 to review state-level programs to combat global climate change and to develop a strategy for future action.
The gathering will also celebrate the centennial of President Theodore Roosevelt’s landmark 1908 Conference of Governors, which launched the modern conservation movement, planted the seed for the National Parks System, and inspired significant state efforts to protect land. The event will celebrate 100 years of state leadership on critical environmental issues, confront the present climate challenge, and set out a vision of a federal-state partnership for future action.
“Roosevelt showed remarkable foresight a century ago in engaging the states’ chief executive officers to preserve and protect the nation’s natural resources,” said Yale President Richard C. Levin. “Now, we face a new and critical challenge—global climate change—and leadership in the United States is coming from visionary state governors.”
Governors who plan to attend the conference include M. Jodi Rell of Connecticut, Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, Jon Corzine of New Jersey, and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. Quebec Premier Jean Charest will also be present, and a dozen other governors are exploring whether their schedules will permit participation.
The governors will meet privately for high-level discussions on climate change, and address the general public during a plenary session on April 18th. In recognizing those governors who have demonstrated global leadership in addressing climate change, this gathering will also provide these leaders with an opportunity to exchange ideas and chart a forward path on state, national, and international action. While at Yale, it is anticipated that the governors will sign a climate change declaration that addresses state and federal-level policymaking. This is particularly timely as the United States preparates for new leadership at the federal level.
Nobel Laureate Dr. R. K. Pachauri, chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will address the gathering. Several former EPA administrators, including Christine Todd Whitman and Carol Browner, will also be part of the dialogue. Governor Schwarzenegger and Dr. Pachauri will deliver public addresses at the conference on April 18. Theodore Roosevelt IV will speak on the 17th about the legacy of his great-grandfather. A complete list of conference participants and other details will be distributed closer to the event.
As one of the country’s leading environmental schools, the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, led by Dean Gus Speth, is uniquely positioned to host the Conference of Governors. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, Roosevelt’s trusted advisor and founder of the U.S. Forest Service, Yale’s environment school has an impressive record of training leaders in conservation and pollution control. Pinchot organized Roosevelt’s 1908 Conference of Governors, which inspired the modern conservation movement.
Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres and project participant, discusses the emergence of climate change as a front-burner issue for major corporate investors (pension funds, insurance companies, etc.). Video (48 minutes).
See the recommendation to disseminate eigh principle framework to business leaders
