NEW PALTZ - Building a sustainable economy geared toward environmental protection in the face of global warming is the goal of a conference taking place Saturday.

Sustainable Hudson Valley will host "Cool Communities, Living Economies" at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

"It is a rallying of people who are working to develop their communities," said Melissa Everett, executive director of Sustainable Hudson Valley. "But it's not a one-size-fits-all process; it's particular to each community."

The conference features L. Hunter Lovins, president and founder of Natural Capitalism Inc. and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, who was named a Time Magazine "Hero for the Planet" in 2000. The title of her talk is "The Climate Crisis - A Natural Capitalist Response."

The climate crisis is a global issue and, as such, it could be overwhelming to a single household or neighborhood, Everett said. By bringing together local businesses and environmental groups, it becomes a smaller undertaking, but significant enough that communities will feel as if they are making some kind of positive change.

"Local communities are small enough to be tangible and concrete, but large enough to make a difference," Everett said.

Strategies wanted

Orange County planner David Church said global warming doesn't enter much decision-making at the local level, but he hopes the conference will reveal some tangible strategies officials and activists at the town and county level can use.

"I find with these conversations at workshops and conferences, you have to give examples that you can physically accomplish in six months. Something's got to resonate in a tangible way," he said. "I'm hoping all levels of participants find something they can accomplish within six months or less."

Environment Editor Dan Shapley contributed to this report. Michael Mayfield can be reached at mmayfiel@poughkee.gannett.com