Alec Baldwin Talks Climate Change, Coastal Living: Photos

SAG HARBOR, NY —It was standing room only on the lawn in front of the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum on Thursday evening as "Defend H2O" held an outdoor cocktail party and panel discussion about the future of the East End's local water supply and coastal way of life.

The event, "Living On The Edge In The Face Of Climate Change: An Engaging Conversation On Coastal Living," included a discussion with actor and environmental advocate Alec Baldwin and marine scientist and Defend H2O founder Kevin McAllister.

The talk centered on protecting and restoring the environmental quality of local groundwater, surface waters, wetlands and beaches.

Baldwin reported that he and his wife Hilaria have their own well water checked annually for more than 300 chemicals that might have intruded.

"Herbicides, fungicides and pesticides are part of our heritage of potato farming on Long Island. We need to make changes now, so that we won't have to make unimaginable changes in the future," Baldwin said.

"While the event was a fundraiser for Defend H2O, the real purpose was to raise public awareness about the effects of climate change locally," McAllister said. "Alec is exceptional at engaging the audience and we definitely advanced our goal. An enlightened community."

Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography, soniboy@aol.com.

Reporting by Richard Lewin.