National Conversation Drives Climate, Energy Solutions from the Ground Up on Earth Day

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.

*Highlights from Key Events:

Greenburgh's Climate Action Task Force will present the municipal Climate Action Plan for discussion with elected officials, key decision makers and citizen activists in the community. Tria Case, Executive Director for the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) at Bronx Community College and Andrew Spano, Westchester County Executive will be speaking at the event to share information on the most recent climate change policies and legislation on the federal, state & local levels, as well as what is already being done throughout Westchester County.

Hennepin County, Minnesota
The goal of the event is to identify key actions the county can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the areas of residential and commercial energy use, energy supply, transportation, fleets, land use, waste management and public education.

Speakers include Kent Cavender-Bares, Climate Central, from the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota; Mike Opat, Hennepin County Chairman; and Peter McLaughlin, County Commissioner. Focus groups will address nine topical areas: Business Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy, District Energy, Green Energy Corridor, Transportation - Active Living, Natural Resources - Carbon Sequestration, Waste Management, Public Education/Citizen Engagement, and Green Jobs.  Each focus group will identify key actions the County can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as how to maximize the partnership between the County and the University of Minnesota. 

The city will showcase how it can help residents save money on energy bills each month by taking steps to green their homes and businesses. It will be an opportunity for people to engage in meaningful dialogue with other concerned citizens to build a more cost-effective, sustainable future for the community, get expert advice and assistance to design personal energy action plans, discuss ways to engage neighbors to take similar actions and learn how the city is investing in a more sustainable future and saving taxpayer money. The city is partnering with University of Houston Office of Sustainability and the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library on the event.

Jackson, Wyoming (Teton County)
The Jackson Spotlight Conversation is focusing on taking that critical step from concept, planning and resolution to actual on-the-ground action. Rys Roth, Co-founder of and Director of Strategic Innovations for Climate Solutions, will present the keynote address, which will be followed by a series of facilitated breakout sessions.

Lexington, Kentucky
The Conversation will be devoted to four overarching topics: current climate action work in the County, what attendees can do to reduce their impact on climate change, what attendees would like the local climate action plan to include, and tools and resources available to attendees. During the Conversation, attendees will learn how to 1. quantify their carbon emissions, 2. reduce their consumption and buy green , and 3. take advantage of energy efficiency improvement tax credits.  The dialogue will be moderated by staff from the Kentucky Office of Energy policy. The keynote remarks will be given by Dan Coody, former Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and a leader on local climate and sustainability action.

Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is expecting 300 people to attend their Earth Day event, “Awareness. Action. Change. Uniting to Go Green.” The event is open to the public and will feature several keynote addresses, roundtable discussions and breakout sessions designed to truly engage members of Los Angeles County’s communities in the County’s climate and energy plans. Keynote remarks will be delivered by three experts in climate change and sustainability:  Michael Crooke, PhD, CEO of prAna Living and former CEO of Patagonia; Commissioner Michael Peevey, President, California Public Utilities Commission; and Albert Mendoza, CEO and President of Coalition for Clean Air. Other speakers include: Anne Shen Smith, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Co, Senior Vice President of Customer Services; Los Angeles County Supervisors; Art Leahy, Metro CEO; and Eric Garcetti, LA City Council President. Workshop topics at the day-long event include: What’s new in Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy?; How will the Carbon Emissions Market Work?; Planning and Regional Transportation; Climate Change and Public Agency Action; Education and Workforce Development; Living Green; and Freedom Gardens. More information: http://planning.lacounty.gov/ncca.

Sarasota County, Florida
Sarasota County is partnering with SCOPE and the Cities of Sarasota, Venice and North Port to host a Community Conversation on Energy and Climate on April 22 from 1-5pm. The community will come together to hear Philip Fairey, Deputy Director of the Florida Solar Energy Center, discuss clean energy solutions for the region and government and individual actions that can be taken to move the community toward sustainable energy solutions. A county representative will then update the audience on Sarasota’s current and planned climate protection efforts before breaking them into small groups to identify and flesh out key climate protection measures. The full group will reconvene and vote as a group, a process that will fully engage participants and help inform Sarasota’s climate action plan. Additional information is available at www.scgov.net/Sustainability/EnergyConversation

Sumter, South Carolina
On Earth Day 2009, The City of Sumter South Carolina and the historic Sumter Opera House will host their first Community Conversation focused on sustainability, climate change, energy, and environmental awareness. The primary theme will be an Education and Action partnership between local industry, government, and the community. Presentations will be delivered by Mayor Joseph McElveen; Mark Hall, Pollution Prevention Manager at Shaw Air Force Base; and Dave Davidson, Business Sustainability Center Manager at Eaton Industries.   Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth, author of Serve God, Save the Planet, will give the keynote address.

Tucson, Arizona
The Tucson Spotlight Conversation aims to educate the public about the realities and challenges of climate change; solicit the public’s values, perceptions, and priorities regarding climate change, mitigation and adaptation; and obtain information from the public that can be used to inform the City’s General Plan update, the County’s Comprehensive Plan update, and the University’s sustainability plan. Breakout sessions will focus on climate change as it relates to the following topics: Human Health/Food Security; Drought Preparedness; Affordable Housing/Building Energy Use; Mobility; and Jobs. More information: www.tucsonaz.gov/ocsd/climateaction