On Oct. 15, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington (Residents) hosted a panel discussion on climate change at the Port Washington Public Library in conjunction with their 2015 annual meeting. Keynote speaker, National Climate Change Policy Advisor Dave Grossman, founder of Green Light Group in Washington DC, told a packed room of students and residents about recent findings demonstrating the planet is on track to experience a three to five degree increase in temperature by 2100. Grossman put this into context by pointing to the impacts we are already experiencing, with a mere .8 degree increase, i.e. warmer oceans resulting in superstorms and other devastating weather events. Grossman explained how melting glaciers are resulting in dangerous sea-level rise, including around the New York area, which are projected to increase from 12 to 55 inches by 2080.
Grossman described pledges to combat climate changes made by various countries around the world. Residents introduced a panel to address climate change issues on a more local level. Beth Fiteni, representing New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), reported on the exploration of a community microgrid in Port Washington that would utilize renewables to island off critical resources in a storm. Fiteni also described free energy audits and solar initiatives to help conserve energy.
Recipient Chuck Idol and Copresident Dan Donatelli
Ron Busiciolano, Chief Hydrologist for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spoke about sea-level rise and the increased potential for salt water intrusion on the Manhasset Neck Peninsula, which could affect drinking water. Busciolano credited Residents for their role in advocating for the scientific data to monitor these threats. The final panelist, Gerry Twombly of Nassau County Emergency Management, provided information on what to do in an emergency.
During the Q-and-A period, a Schreiber student asked, “What can we as students do?” Grossman said, “You have more power than you realize. Push for actions to mitigate climate change with your family, the businesses you support and elected officials. You are the masters of social media…use it.”
To create immediate action, guests could sign up for free energy audits through Power Up Communities, a subsidiary of NYSERDA. Guests were also invited to sign up for updates from the Port Washington Crisis Relief Organization.
“Our goal is not to spread fear, rather to educate, inform and inspire action,” said Copresident Dan Donatelli, who moderated the program.
During the business portion of the meeting, Alexandra Trinkoff was nominated to the board of directors and Chuck Idol received the Residents 2015 Environmental Award for his advocacy, working with Residents environmental health committee, to secure a ban on the use of Pentachlorophenol, a known carcinogen used to preserve wooden utility poles.
Copresident Rick Krainin said, “While this story is still unfolding, this issue is on the desk of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency largely because of the valiant advocacy led by Chuck Idol.”
For information about Residents email info@pwresidents.org.
