Energy & Environmental Leaders Day 2016

From our main site:  Great event that we enjoyed covering.  We ask you, as we asked the audience that day, are you a leader in green?  If not, what is holding you back?  Time to step forward and be part of the solution and not just part of the problem:



On Friday, September 30, Providence, RI played host to the 7th Annual Energy and Environmental Leaders Day an event that is produced by Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and his staff. This year’s theme was “Oceans,” and with that, the event brought together a stellar group of keynote speakers who addressed a range of topics on the theme. They included Dr. Jeremy Jackson, Professor of Oceanography Emeritus, who spoke about the effects of climate change will have on our oceans, its life, and the cities that are on the coastline. From the University of Georgia, Associate Professor Dr. Jenna R. Jambeck spoke on the plastic contaminates that are plaguing our waters. And Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, spoke on the conservation efforts needed to protect our marine ecosystems. Though there were many examples that should raise concern, such as Dr. Jeremy Jackson’s reference to what Miami and other coastal cities will be facing in the next thirty years due to climate change, there were also examples hope as Dr. Sala indicated that oceans, if protected, have an incredible ability to rejuvenate life. 

The guests were also treated to a fascinating panel discussion titled"Climate Change and the Web of Denial." This panel discussion looked at how big money is influencing Washington, and how it is used to actually punish those who would accept the science of what is happening in the world today.

 The panel also looked at Dark Money and helped to define what it is, how it gets its message out and how intent is camouflaged behind otherwise respected titles. The panel was moderated by Brown University Professor, J. Timmons Robert, and the panelists included Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, New York Times and Brown University writer Cornelia Dean, and Climate Nexus Executive Director Jeff Nesbit. Following the panel discussion was a passionate speech delivered by Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey, a true leader when it comes to renewables, who shared his thoughts on the urgency of addressing climate change and other threats to our environment.

As always, Senator Whitehouse not only provided an excellent learning opportunity, but was a gracious host who concluded the event by recognizing two outstanding professionals from the public service sector: Curt Spalding, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 1, and Grover Fugate, Executive Director, Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council.

The entire event is being produced into a multipart series that will be available for on-demand viewing on RNN and will be released over the course of the next month. Stay tuned.

- See more at: http://www.renewablenow.biz/governmental-green.html#sthash.nVQFaSWb.dpuf