In support of the global effort of the U.N.’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Grace Farms Foundation and Live Green Connecticut are partnering to host the first-of-its-kind Regional Conference for Sustainable Development on Feb. 7, 2018 at Grace Farms.
Thought leaders from the area and around the world, including Jeffrey Sachs of The Earth Institute, Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of Connecticut Green Bank, and Joe DeLong, executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, will gather to discuss wide-ranging strategies for promoting sustainable development with case studies demonstrating successful implementation in Connecticut.
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— an announcement from Grace Farms
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Local businesses, not-for-profit organizations, town committees and individuals are invited to present relevant work to conference attendees; applications are available online, here.
“Grace Farms began with the preservation of more than 80 acres of land, and we are expanding our commitment to environmental sustainability through our adoption of the U.N.’s SDGs in our daily operations and initiatives,” said Adam Thatcher, Director of Operations at Grace Farms Foundation.
“There are many new ideas being pursued locally and we look forward to bringing these innovators together to focus on generating and exploring new strategies to address four SDGs: affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities, responsible consumption and production, and climate action.”
The day-long program, which will take place in Grace Farms’ LEED-certified River building, is modeled after the International Conference on Sustainable Development hosted at Columbia University by The Center for Sustainable Development, The Earth Institute, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and Columbia University.
Participants including policy makers, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, grassroots organizations, involved citizens and students, will exchange ideas and best practices to help make Connecticut and the region leaders in community-driven sustainable development.
“Now, more than ever, we need to come together around the issues that matter most to the flourishing of humanity,” said Daphne Dixon, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Live Green Connecticut. “While we keep The Global Goals in mind, it is imperative that we also take local action on what we can control in our own communities.”
The ticketed event ($40 including lunch) will begin at 9 a.m. with panel discussions and presentations from Jessica Scott, from SDG Academy, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan (New Canaan), First Selectman Rudy Marconi (Ridgefield), First Selectman Mike Tetreau (Fairfield), First Selectwoman Jayme Stevenson (Darien), and Chris Bruhl of The Business Council of Fairfield County.
Participants will break at 12:15 p.m., and afternoon sessions will run through 4:30 p.m. The day will conclude with a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Connecticut is one of 15 states that has signed the U.S. Climate Alliance (the agreement to remain committed to the 2015 Paris Climate Accord), and is committed to leading efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
To apply as a local presenter or to purchase a ticket, please visit this Web page.