CLIMATE CHANGE: ITS IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES

The Dedham Sustainability Advisory Committee invites you to attend a panel discussion featuring local climate change experts on Wednesday, November 18th, 7-8:30pm at Noble and Greenough School, Baker Science Building.

According to NASA, global temperatures have risen more rapidly since the 1970’s, sea levels continue to rise each year, and carbon dioxide is at its highest atmospheric level in 650,000 years. There’s no question the Earth’s climate is shifting. Guests will hear more about changing global climate and its impact on our local communities. They will learn strategies to generate positive change. In addition to the experts, students from Dedham High School and Noble and Greenough School’s environmental clubs will discuss what they’re doing to inform students about the issues, and drive change for now and the future.

The Panel Experts

Julie Conroy

Senior Environmental Planner

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Ms. Conroy develops policy for environmental protection in numerous Massachusetts cities and towns, and authored the agency’s Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

Karen Heymann, PhD

Director of Legislative Affairs

Mass Audubon Society

Mass Audubon’s Legislative Affairs office advocates for strong conservation laws and programs. Ms. Heymann is author of “Climate Preparedness in the Commonwealth.”

Charles Derber

Professor of Sociology

Boston College

Mr. Derber studies the big picture of American culture and global capitalism, with recent books on climate change including “Greed to Green.”

Julie Wood

Director of Projects

Charles River Watershed Association

Ms. Wood manages CWRA’s science program and is project manager for its Climate Change Adaptation project

“Global climate change is real and affecting our communities today, and will do so for generations to come,” said Ginny LeClair, environmental coordinator for the Town of Dedham. “We hope members of the Dedham, Noble and Greenough and other area communities will join us in a conversation focused on education and ideas for each of us to take positive actions for the future.”

The panel will be moderated by Leigh Hafrey, a member of Dedham’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and a senior lecturer in leadership and ethics at the MIT Sloan School of Management.