Community-Based Climate Change Strategies

At the Ulster BOCES at 175 Route 32 North, New Paltz, NY  12561

Tuesday, October 20, 7 pm

 A program to help concerned citizens, environmental advocates and municipal officials work effectively with their local governmental bodies in addressing climate change will be held on October 20^th at 7pm at Ulster BOCES in New Paltz.  The League of Women Voters of the Mid-Hudson Region is partnering with The Nature Conservancy, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Sustainable Hudson Valley, and others to present this informational forum.

         Participants in The Nature Conservancy’s Rising Waters Project will explain what is (or will be) happening here in our region as climate change continues.  Other speakers will talk about cost-effective ways to work with local officials to address climate change right now as well as in the long-term.  They will also discuss employment and economic development opportunities applicable to the mid-Hudson region that the climate change crisis presents.

         The Climate Smart Communities program, a partnership of state and local governments whose goal is to combat climate change, will be highlighted. The program provides a comprehensive approach for communities to decrease energy use, incorporate climate protection and sustainability into land uses and economic development plans and take steps to adapt to climate change. Representatives of towns who are leading the way in taking action on climate change will make presentations, including a representative of the City of Kingston, where the Common Council passed a climate smart pledge on October 6.  Additional guidance will be provided for those seeking more information and financial resources. 

         Among the confirmed speakers are Mark Lowery, the Climate Change Coordinator of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation; Betsy Blair of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve; Melissa Everett of Sustainable Hudson Valley; Julie Noble of the Conservation Advisory Council of City of Kingston; and Leo Wiegman of the Croton-on-Hudson.

This event is a lead-up to the international day of action on October 24, 2009, led by Bill McKibben’s  movement,  350.org.   350 refers to the amount of carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm), which scientists feel is the highest safe limit in the atmosphere. Currently the concentration is 390 ppm, so actions to decrease emissions are crucial.

         The October 20th event is free and open to all. Ulster BOCES is at 175 Route 32 North in New Paltz. Participants are asked to carpool. Ride share with others by using this service, http://rideshare.us/index.php with look-up code Climate LWV.  For additional information, contact LWV Program Co-Chair, Dare Thompson, at 845-236-3074 or darethompson@gmail.com.                 ####

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE MID-HUDSON REGION

Post Office Box 3564

Kingston, New York 12402 

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. http://midhudson.ny.lwvnet.org/

October 8, 2009

CONTACT:     Dare Thompson, Program Committee Co-Chair  845-236-3074 darethompson@gmail.com