Climate Conference Catalyzes Regional Enthusiasm, Collaboration on Solutions

Clean Air-Cool Planet hosted Climate Solutions for the Northeast May 12 and 13, bringing together more than 250 leaders from the worlds of business, education, policy and politics, communications, religion and the environment to work on building momentum for the implementation of state and regional greenhouse gas reduction plans. The Hartford, Connecticut, conference, which drew folks from throughout the region, Canada, Washington, D.C. and across the country, was the first Northeast regional climate forum organized to focus specifically on implementing state and regional climate action plans.

During a packed day-and-a-half of talks and panel discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and intense networking, participants and speakers shared stories of successes and challenges from their individual and institutional work with climate change solutions; brainstormed about resource needs and working priorities; and explored creative new possibilities for collaboration across sectors. Several recurring themes emerged from this gathering.

A breakout session on policy issues: secretary general of Quebec’s Climate Change Department, Robert Noel de Tilly; Connecticut’s environmental Deputy Commissioner Jane Stahl; Rhode Island’s environmental director, Jan Reitsma; moderator Adam Markham, of CA-CP; and speaking, Sonia Hamel, Special Assistant to the Director of Commonwealth Development, Massachusetts

Economic Incentive

One of the most fundamental of these was the notion of the economic opportunities that await those corporations, colleges and universities, and municipalities willing to take the lead in modeling proactive greenhouse gas reduction policies—or to provide the technologies or resources that will allow others to do so. Executives from such renewable energy powerhouses as Evergreen Solar, G.E. Wind, United Technologies and Proton Energy made a convincing case for increased regional development of non-polluting energy resources. In addition, corporate representatives from Aveda, Verizon, Harbec Plastics and the Timberland Company outlined the ways their companies had implemented and experienced the benefits of energy efficiency, distributed generation, improved technology and environmental messaging. And in the final keynote address, renowned author and analyst Amory Lovins, of the Rocky Mountain Institute, gave a “big picture” overview of the awesome potential for profit and social revitalization presented by the search for climate change solutions.

One of 17 conference exhibitors, KeySpan Energy

Investment Risk Disclosure

Closely tied to the issue of economic opportunity was an oft-cited recognition of the economic risks posed by a lack of consistent national standards. The detrimental effects to business and investment of an atmosphere of uncertainty were discussed by many leaders in these fields, including Connecticut Treasurer Denise Napier, PSEG’s President Frank Cassidy, Fleet Bank’s Helen Sahi, CERES director Mindy Lubber, and others.

Regional Leadership

Woven throughout the presentations and panel discussions was an awareness that large scale (i.e. national and international) policy solutions must--and will--eventually be forthcoming. Two of the crucial roles the Northeast should play in the meantime are modeling and showcasing the feasibility and benefits of proactive, collaborative climate policies, to inspire action in other locales or at other levels; and to get the infrastructure in place here at home in order to maximize regional greenhouse gas emissions reductions, both short and long-term.

Speaking during an energetic morning plenary session, Perspectives on Leadership, about the impetus for his own climate-related efforts as New Haven’s Mayor, John DeStefano, Jr.: ‘Fundamentally, this is a question of values.’ Seated: NYT Associate Editor Bob Semple, Tufts University President Dr. Lawrence Bacow, and former NH Governor Jeanne Shaheen

Diverse Actors

The program of Climate Solutions for the Northeast emphasized the need for integration of climate action efforts from leaders beyond environmentalists and the business sector: the Reverend Sally Bingham spoke about the role of the faith community; officials from New Haven, CT, Hamden, CT, Hull, MA and Keene, NH, shared their plans, triumphs and challenges regarding municipal emissions reductions; representatives from the electricity sector discussed their needs and responsibilities; and university presidents acknowledged the crucial functions of the higher education community as both message-bearers and role models.

Transportation

One of the greatest contributors to regional climate change focused on as needing increased attention was transportation. Entrepeneur Dean Kamen, of Segway fame, gave a talk on Monday night underscoring both the urgency and the potential of creative change in the way we conceptualize our transportation systems. Participants on a transportation panel also addressed the issue, and it was repeatedly referenced by leaders in other sectors (business, municipal, higher education, policy) in the contexts of resource, land use, and fleet management.

Dean Kamen (on Segway) answers a question from Marc Breslow of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network, while audience looks on during Kamen’s keynote address Monday evening

Clean Air-Cool Planet is now working to bring the outcomes of this event to the attention of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Conference—the creators of the regional Climate Change Action Plan—at their annual gathering in September. More information about the conference—including a participant list, PowerPoint presentations or speech transcripts from panelists and speakers, and a record of resulting future climate efforts or initiatives will be made available on the Clean Air-Cool Planet website in the coming weeks and months. Please check in soon at www.cleanair-coolplanet.org for more information!

--Jennifer Andrews