More than 150 Vermonters from all across the state gathered at Main Street Landing in Burlington Saturday to push for action to address global warming in the upcoming legislative session.
The “Climate Solutions Summit” — hosted by Energy Independent Vermont – included a variety of panels and workshops designed to give attendees a fuller understanding of the climate crisis, the role Vermont can play in addressing it and tools to make sure Vermont’s elected leaders push for global warming solutions when they return to Montpelier in 2017.
Speakers at the event included Lieutenant Governor-Elect David Zuckerman, an outspoken leader for climate action during his time in the Vermont State House and environmental justice organizer Vanessa Gray, a 23 year-old Anishinaabe’kwe from the Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Ontario, Canada.
The Energy Independent Vermont coalition also recognized the contributions of several key members of the campaign for their dedication:
- Jen Kimmich, co-owner of the Alchemist Brewer was awarded Outstanding Business Leader for her leadership among Vermont businesses pushing for bold climate action
- Bob Farnham, aka Bob the Green Guy, was awarded Outstanding Media Activist for his unending dedication to promoting clean energy and efficiency solutions through his considerable social media network
- The Vermont Youth Climate Lobby was awarded Outstanding Youth Activist for their work organizing a 700+ person youth climate rally at the State House earlier this year – the largest such youth demonstration in Vermont history.
- Alan Johnson was awarded Outstanding Community Leader for his work developing a climate action plan in Hartford, Vermont where he now sits on the selectboard.
Supporters of the Energy Independent Vermont campaign said they will aggressively push incoming legislators and statewide officials to move forward with policies that will curb greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy and efficiency and strengthen the Vermont economy.
Watch below to see videos of the various panels and speakers from Saturday* — and check out the Energy Independent Vermont Facebook Page to see great photos from what as an inspiring and motivating day.
*Big thanks to Bob the Green Guy Farnham for taking live video of many of the days events — visit BobTheGreenGuy.com to learn more about Bob’s work.
Opening Remarks:
Remarks from Lt. Governor-elect David Zuckerman, legislator meeting tips from Amy Schollenberger, remarks from Reps. Mary Hooper and Mary Sullivan:
Panel: Carbon Pricing and the Economy
Panel: The Moral Imperative For Bold Climate Action Parts 1 & 2
Workshop/Panel: Bring the Coalition Home
Workshop/Panel: I heard it on the Internet
Workshop/Panel: Writing LTEs (note: this recording is from a webinar version of the workshop — the same content, but better for web consumption)
We’ll post more videos as they become available — stay tuned!