Concerned about climate change? Be among the first to envision a solution!
The Green Committee of the Gloucester UU church, in cooperation with the Cape Ann Forum and Gloucester’s Clean Energy Commission, will present a panel discussion on the rise of carbon pollution causing climate change, and what we can do to stop or reverse the damages. Seven panelists from a broad range of organizations will discuss how to develop a plan for Gloucester to become fossil fuel-free or carbon neutral in a decade.
This event will be held Sunday evening beginning at 7pm at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church and is free and open to the public. The panel discussion will be followed by a question and answer period, concluding at 8:45. All are invited to stay for a reception concluding at 9:45. This event is sponsored by the Superior Nut Company.
Going beyond national and global initiatives, this plan would include a combination of city policies and individual action geared to lower the carbon footprint of the entire city. From solar parking lots to revolving loan funds for solar installations, to incentives that make the city hospitable for companies to test their green technology, the organizers believe that there are solutions available to us today that can help prevent worst-case climate scenarios. Other cities have accomplished this feat, and Gloucester can be the first city in Massachusetts and help lead a growing worldwide movement.
PANEL PARTICIPANTS:
JoeAnn Hart, moderator, is the author of the environmental social satire Float.
Jack Clarke is a well-known environmentalist and a former chair of the Gloucester planning board. He currently serves as director of public policy at Mass Audubon, and is well versed in state policies and strategies in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Sarah Hammond Creighton directs the Endicott College Office of Sustainability. Previously she has led the Tufts office of sustainability and the Tufts Climate Initiative. She has twenty years of experience in campus greening, campus sustainability, climate change action, green buildings, energy efficiency, and renewables.
Harry Hintlian is president of the Superior Nut Company, sponsor of this event. Hintlian is passionate about climate change and believes we need to go beyond carbon neutral. He operates a United Nations-sanctioned nonprofit organization, Reforest the Tropics, which raises money to replant depleted tropical forests in Costa Rica.
Alex Lamb is a Senior Consultant in Ernst & Young LLP’s climate change and sustainability services practice and a trustee at Bainbridge Graduate Institute. Lamb is committed to fostering collaborative professional initiatives to advance the corporate sustainability community.
Eric Magers directs the federal Green Ribbon Award- winning Green Team and Green Scholars Programs at Manchester Essex Regional High School. Magers is committed to building sustainable communities and developing local, regional, and national partnerships in environmental education. He is the coordinator of the North Shore Sustainability Program, a network of 100 schools and organizations dedicated to sharing best practices for sustainability education in educational organizations.
Dick Prouty is the executive director of Project Adventure in Beverly, and specializes in experiential education training and consulting. He is the current chair of the board of the Gloucester UU Church, as well as chair of its Green Committee. He has a personal commitment and passion for addressing climate change.
Candace Wheeler is a longtime Gloucester resident who has been a natural resource and land use planner, and was the town administrator of Hamilton for 20 years. She currently chairs the Gloucester Clean Energy Commission (CEC), reporting to the Mayor and city council. Wheeler and the CEC members have been working with the city on maximizing energy efficiency of city-owned buildings and facilities, and assisting in the process of developing wind turbines in Gloucester.
Good Morning Gloucester 