Consensus of Climate Changing Forum is that The Time for Action is Now

Speakers at the Climate Change Forum recently sponsored by Middlesex Community College Green Project Committee were in agreement that climate changes are not all gloom and doom, but the time for action is now. “Two threats to our way of life are global warming and the looming energy crisis. There is an urgent need to take action on these. With China in an energy crisis, a global energy shortage could happen at any time. We need to take action now,” said keynote speaker State Representative James O’Rourke (D, 32nd Assembly district), who is a veteran member of the General Assembly’s Environment Committee.

Other experts taking part in this forum are Roger Smith, coordinator of the Connecticut Climate Coalition; Lynn Stoddard, an environmental analyst at the state’s Department of Environment Protection; Andy Bauer, a teacher of technology education who assisted Glastonbury in receiving a solar panel award; Laurel Kohl, an energy education specialist at the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University; and Kim O’Rourke, Recycling Coordinator for Middletown.

The speakers were all adamant that there are things each citizen can do toward halting global warming. “Recycling is an important part of climate change and it is something everyone can do,” was Kim O’Rourke’s advice.

Bauer talked about how simple conversations with people about energy concerns can pay off by getting more people involved in the solutions. Bauer said his message in his conversations is “If you invest in clean energy now you are investing in a future.”

Kohl echoed Bauer that “Good practices are not enough if we don’t share the information with others.” As a simple action each citizen can do Kohl suggested, “We can refuse to buy products that are packed in energy wasting materials.”

Smith said, “Global warming is not about industry, it’s about us. Improving energy efficiency is the number one thing we can do to stop global warming.”

Stoddard stressed that the first step we need to take is to acknowledge the changes that have already happened and how we are to adapt to these changes. “The next 10 years will determine how much impact we will have on the planet,” she said.

In support of the Middlesex’s Green Initiative, study guides, outlines, notes, PowerPoint presentations, or other study aids to help the college’s students are being put online; saving reams of paper. Recycling bins have also been placed all around campus.

SIDEBAR
HELPFUL WEBSITES DISCUSSED AT FORUM
ctclimatechange.com