5:00- 6:00 PM

Opening Reception and  Social    

Join us at our opening social and network with fellow symposium attendees. Music and refreshments will be served.
 

6:00- 6:30 PM

Welcome

Dr. Charles Button, Founder & Co-Chair CCSU  Climate Action Coalition and
Assistant Professor CCSU

Dr. Jack Miller, Central Connecticut State University President, CCSU Climate Action Coalition Honorary Chair
 

6:30- 8:00 PM

Opening Address

Gina McCarthy, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
 

9:15-9:45 AM

Welcome and Introduction

Alumni Hall, Student Center

Dr. Charles Button, Co-Chair CCSU Climate Action Coalition and Central Connecticut State University Professor, Geography Department

Mr. Richard Bachoo, Chief Administrative Officer, Administrative Affairs, Central Connecticut State University
 

9:45:-11:00 AM

Major Speaker

Alumni Hall, Student Center

Mr. Roger Smith, Coordinator of the Connecticut Climate Coalition

Connecticut Responds to Global Warming- Overcoming Challenges
Roger Smith will discuss the important role of citizens in moving Connecticut towards global warming solutions and will outline key barriers to overcome.   Smith will discuss work in communities and at the state capitol to expand home efficiency programs for electricity and heating, mandatory limits on power plant carbon dioxide pollution, as well as comprehensive state energy planning.  Smith will also speak about the ability of states like Connecticut to influence national politics and provide an update on recent energy and climate initiatives in Washington.
 

11:15- 12:15 PM

Policy Panel

Alumni Hall, Student Center

Marissa Cloutier, Biology and Nutrition Instructor, University of Hartford
Mark Franklin, Consumer Services Division Director, State of CT Department of Insurance
Keri Enright, State Program Director, SmartPower
Christina Gerasimos Billings-Elias, Presidential Candidate
John Mengacci, Undersecretary, Office of  Policy and Management
Robert A. Maddox, National Director of Utility & Retail Programs, Sterling Planet
 

12:30- 1:30 PM

Concurrent Sessions with  Lunch

10 Ways to Promote Energy Conservation
Presenters: Phillip Goetthelf, Managing Director of Global Emissions
                        Nathan Guedalia, Chief Technical Officer of Global Emissions Exchange

Become part of a 10-step program to promote energy conservation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  This workshop introduces a balanced approach between energy conservation costs and benefits.  Learn the spreadsheet matrix that offsets hard and soft costs against energy budget reductions, carbon credits, infrastructure benefits, and long-term environmental planning.  Steps include meeting mandates, setting goals, establishing a plan, vetting technology, creating priorities, developing infrastructure, and marketing the “Green Movement” within and outside of your organization. The 10-step program results in comprehensive awareness, mutual goals, and unbridled enthusiasm.
 

Constitution Room, Memorial Hall

Going Green
Presenter: Berta Reis, Flagg Road United Church of Christ

The workshop will cover what Flagg Road United Church of Christchurch is doing about becoming greener, from recycling to looking at solar panels. A Going Green Check List pamphlet initially prepared for church members will also be available for all to take. Finally, a sample of eco-friendly products will be presented
 

Connecticut Room, Memorial Hall

Financial implications of Sustainability and Climate Change
Presenter: Cary Krosinsky, Director of Capital Bridge

Sustainable Investing: Learn why it's crucial, the history of Socially Responsible Investing and why it's moving towards Sustainability. A review of all relevant markets and indexes, examples of useful metrics that anyone can and perhaps should use, careers that relate that one can pursue, trends such as PRI and how all these dynamics can bring positive change.
 

Alumni Hall, Student Center

1:45-2:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions

Current Trends in Sustainable Investing
Presenter: Dan Olson, Financial Advisor Merrill Lynch

Attendees will learn about the evolving concept of green investing.  Financial research and investment products are proliferating and creating new opportunities for investors to find sustainable investments.  We will discuss investment themes regarding climate change, whether  data suggests companies with lower emissions are better stocks and how can an individuals align their assets with their values by using negative or positive screens
 

Constitution Room, Memorial Hall

Iceberg: Global Climate Change Exploration, Education and Action Through Theater Presenter: Marcella Trowbridge, Artistic Director of Artfarm

The title 'Iceberg', is inspired by the sadly tangible personified face of polar bears struggling for their very survival as emissions caused shifts of sea ice melt away the means of their existence. In this workshop, we will utilize the knowledge of the participants, augmented by selections of available research, to explore Global Climate Change, environmental sustainability, choices, consequences, our history and the possibilities of our future. This is an interactive - on your feet workshop. While we will discover and share with the attending participants, we will also touch on the power of theater to pose questions, raise awareness and inspire change on personal, community and policy levels.
 

Alumni Hall, Student Center

Energy Conservation Measure as Means to Reduce GHG Emissions
Presenters: Mickey Wiernasz, Director of Sales EQUIDEX Energy
                      Nathan Guedalia, COO/CTO EQUIDEX Energry

The right Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) will achieve reductions in overheads and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).  EQUIDEX Energy will demonstrate two real examples of easily implemented ECMs that can have a substantial immediate impact upon budgets and GHG emissions.  Walk through the process of technology evaluation, implementation, economics, tracking & reporting, and rolling out.  The presentation will provide an example for transportation and service vehicles and reduction in High Intensity Discharge lighting that includes roadways, bridges, tunnels, parking facilities, and indoor systems. These examples were selected because vehicle emissions significantly contribute to air pollution in large industrial and metropolitan areas, and reductions in fuel consumption address both financial and air quality concerns. Using novel technology developed by the Department of Energy, internal combustion engine efficiency can be increased by up to 30%.  The lighting example will be presented because the power controller solution does not require any change to bulbs or fixtures, leaving existing lighting infrastructure in tact.  Thus, costs of high intensity discharge lighting can be reduced by 20% to 30% without significant capital costs, time, effort, and delay.  Moreover, energy controllers preserve lamp life, reduce maintenance costs and substantially expand the replacement interval. Learn by example how GHG reduction and energy savings can be quickly achieved right now.
 

Connecticut Room, Memorial Hall

3:00-4:00 PM

Concurrent Sessions

Living a Sustainable Lifestyle: How to become a Carbon Conscious Consumer
Presenters:  Imani Zito, Owner Alchemy Juice Bar
                         Donn Weinholtz Professor University of Hartford
                         Gail Bennett, Professor Manchester Community College
                         Diana Silvestri, Student CCSU
                         Jim Malley, Professor Emeritus, CCSU

America is not so beautiful when it comes to the problem of global warming.  The primary cause of global warming is carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere and Americans are the worst offenders on the planet.  The typical American household generates 55,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.  This compares with 27,000 pounds contributed by the typical German household and 15,000 pounds by the average Swedish household.  Using David Gershon's book, Low Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds, panel members will provide a menu of actions that will help attendees save money, save energy, and save the planet by reducing their carbon footprint.   Panel members will also provide support and assistance to individuals interested in facilitating their own Low Carbon Diet EcoTeams.
 

Alumni Hall, Student Center

CO2 Sequestration in New Tropical Farm Forests
Presenter: Dr. Herster Barres, Director of Reforest The Tropics, Inc

Connecticut Room, Memorial Hall

The Role Of NACCHO In Climate Change and The Effect Of Climate Change On Emerging Infectious Diseases
Presenters:  Eugene M. Ciccone, MD  Department of Health, New Britain CT
                       Andrew Dennis McBride, MD  Director of Health, Milford, CT

Dr. McBride is the Chairman of the NACCHO Global Climate Change Workgroup. He will discuss the role of NACCHO in investigation of climate change and its effects on local public health systems.  Dr. Ciccone will discuss the effect of climate change on emerging and established infectious diseases, including pandemic influenza.
 

Constitution Room, Memorial Hall

4:15-5:30 PM

Major Speaker

Alumni Hall, Student Center

Policy recommendations from the Trees, Culture, and Tourism Task Force
Presenter: George Wilbur, Assistant Majority Leader and State Representative from the 63rd District

The presentation will consist of findings and recommendations gathered during the course of the Speaker’s Task Force on Trees, Culture, and Tourism that is chaired by State Rep. Wilbur. Some of the topics will include carbon credits, forestry management, biomass utilization, and urban forestry techniques.
 

5:30-6:00 PM

Dinner on Your Own

Please take some time to pick up dinner and rejoin us in Alumni Hall for the evenings events. We encourage you to make use of the campus dining services.

The Student Center offers Starbucks, Pandini's and the Fresh Grille- all of which offer vegetarian foods. For further information regarding CCSU dining options, please visit http://www.ccsudining.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=27

Within walking distance of the campus, your dining options include Tony's Pizza (Italian food), Underground Cafe, Dunkin' Donuts, Domino's, Blimpies and Hong Kong Chinese.
 

Student Center

Looking for information on area organizations, university and governmental agencies, and companies with environmentally minded practices? Join us prior to and during the Focus the Nation Webcast to peruse tables and speak with representatives from various local and regional groups.
 

Join two members of Congress, Rep. John Larson and Rep. Christopher Murphy from Connecticut, in a live simulcast round table dialogue about climate change solutions using carbon-friendly video conferencing powered by SightSpeed. Hear about the latest from Congress and ask questions about how citizens can participate in Congressional deliberations about climate change solutions that will literally affect the entire planet.

8:00-9:00 PM

Focus the Nation Live & Interactive Webcast (THE 2% SOLUTION)

Focus the Nation will stream a free, live, interactive webcast to the CCSU campus called The 2% SOLUTION. Join Stanford University climate scientist, Stephen Schneider, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins and green jobs pioneer Van Jones and youth climate leaders, for a discussion of global warming solutions. Audiences can weigh in with cell phone voting. The goal is 10,000 nationwide screenings—and a change in the course of history.

Light snacks will be provided.

Alumni Hall, Student Center

9:15-9:45 AM

Welcome and Introduction

Alumni Hall, Student Center

Dr. Charles Button, Co-Chair CCSU  Climate Action Coalition and Professor Central Connecticut State University

Dr. Carl Lovitt, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs, Central Connecticut State University
 

9:45-11:00 AM

Concurrent Sessions

Africa and Global Warming: Analyzing the Impacts of Global Climate Change on Africa’s Resources and Welfare of its People
Presenter: Dr. Peter Kyem, Professor at Central Connecticut State University

The IPCC's most recent regional report raises the prospect of rising mortality in Africa. The report predicts a minimum of 2.5 C increases in temperature in African by 2030; dry lands bordering deserts may get drier while wetlands bordering rainforests may get wetter. The panel suggests that Africa’s food supply will be severely compromised, growing seasons will be cut short and stretches of land made unsuitable for agriculture with yields declining as much as 50% in some African countries. Global warming, the UN's top climate experts say, threatens to unleash a greater concentration of human misery on Africa than any other continent. Are these the unfounded claims of climate alarmists or evidence which supports global warming? Is the proof of a rising global temperature a confirmation of the predicted undesirable consequences in Africa? Will the continent which is least to blame for fossil-fuel pollution that powers global warming, be the hardest hit under global climate change? Answers to these questions form the basis of discussion in this paper. The paper reviews evidence of global warming in Africa and discusses why global warming poses the greatest threat to Africa than any continent.
 

Alumni Hall, Student Center

Eat Locally, Seasonally and Organically
Presenter: Bill Duesing, Executive Director CT NOFA, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut

Eating locally, seasonally and organically is a powerful step to cutting fossil energy use while promoting farming methods that store carbon in soil and support biodiversity. Growing food using human power and compost in your yard or neighborhood has a great many benefits besides combating climate change. 
 

Bellin A & B, Student Center

11:15-12:15 PM

Education Panel

Alumni Hall, Student Center

Dr. Abigail Adams, Professor CCSU
Mr. Richard Bachoo, Chief Administrative Officer, Administrative Affairs CCSU
Mr. Collin Bennett, Coordinator, Connecticut Youth Activism
Dr. D’Arcy Dornan, Professor CCSU
Dr. Drew Harris, Professor CCSU
Dr. James Malley, Professor Emeritus CCSU
Ms. Imani Zito, Owner The Green Vubation and Alchemy Cafe
 

12:45-1:45 PM

Lunch

Alumni Hall, Student Center

A Circus for a Fragile Planet
Presenter: ARTFARM - Dic Wheeler, Co-Founder

This circus educates the audience about global warming and other environmental issues in a serious but upbeat style. Through a journey that includes juggling, acrobatics, clowning and other circus skills the audience is confronted with some of the life and death issues currently facing humanity and each individual is asked to look at the steps he or she can take right now to make a difference.
 

1:45-2:45 PM

World Café

Join us in a discussion with speakers and audience members to generate ideas and actions to address global climate change.
 

Alumni Hall, Student Center

2:45-3:00 PM

Closing Remarks, Dr. Charles Button
 

Alumni Hall, Student Center

3:00- 5:00 PM

Call to Action

Caravan with us to the north steps of the Capital Building (facing Bushnell park) as we join forces with other Focus the Nation participants from across Connecticut  from 3:15-5:00 PM.  Join our collective voice as we advocate for progressive political action against global climate change from our political and business leaders!
 

Depart from the Student Center and regroup at the Capital

Focus The Nation
Event Map