First Providence Phoenix Forum: Why Isn’t Rhode Island the Greenest State in the Country?
The Providence Phoenix is launching a new, FREE panel discussion series covering topics of vital importance to Rhode Island. For our kick-off event, we’re considering two tough truths: 1) our state faces dire consequences from climate change; 2) we’ve got the highest unemployment rate in the U.S.
So why aren’t we the greenest state in the country?
Moderated by the Providence Phoenix news editor Phil Eil, the panel will feature:
City of Providence Director of Sustainability, Sheila Dormody
In December 2011, Mayor Angel Taveras selected Sheila Dormody to serve as the City’s first Director of Sustainability. Sheila comes to the City by way of the environmental advocacy group, Clean Water Action, where she served most recently as New England co-director.
The Sustainability Director’s responsibilities include identifying opportunities to reduce the City’s energy costs, working with community groups to establish the City’s first comprehensive sustainability action plan, transitioning the City to the new Recycle Together program, and other projects.
ecoRI News Co-Founder and Editor, Frank Carini
ecoRI News, which went online in September 2009 and expanded into Massachusetts in June 2013, is the journalistic arm of ecoRI Inc. and is dedicated to environmental and social justice reporting. We are devoted to protecting southern New England’s ecosystems, natural resources and public health through independent journalism.
LEED-certified Architect (KITE Architects) and Providence City Plan Commission Chair, Christine Malecki West
Christine West is excited to be a part of the unique creative community that makes Providence special and is a firm believer in environmentally and economically sustainable urban neighborhoods.
After several years working as an architect in the Washington, DC area, Christine chose to return to graduate school to study how the practice of architecture could foster innovation, particularly in green building. She and her husband John then decided to move to Providence because of its vibrant community and sense of place.
Rhode Island Sierra Club Program Manager, Abel Collins
Abel Collins has been with the Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter since 2009. He has worked tirelessly on bettering public transportation in Rhode Island, rallying grass roots support for a more sustainable RIPTA funding model. Abel has also engaged members and non-members alike by leading outings that have ranged in purpose from bird-watching to learning the ropes of civic participation.
Clean Water Action RI Director and RI Environment Council President, Jamie Rhodes
Clean Water Action is a one million member organization of diverse people and groups joined together to protect our environment, health, economic well-being and community quality of life. Our goals include clean, safe and affordable water; prevention of health threatening pollution; creation of environmentally safe jobs and businesses; and empowerment of people to make democracy work. Clean Water Action organizes strong grassroots groups and coalitions and campaigns to elect environmental candidates and solve environmental and community problems.
There will also be plenty of time for questions and comments from the audience. We view this as a community conversation.
See you there!
First Providence Phoenix Forum Facebook Event Page
