Trio of Free Environmental Programs to be Hosted Locally

As seen on the Wyckoff Green Team website:

"The non-profit, non-partisan group, North Jersey Public Policy Network, is pleased to present, “Energy Month,” a three-part educational program that explores the transition to a fossil-free economy.

“Energy Month” will begin on Thursday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ramapo High School, 331 George Street, Franklin Lakes, with a panel discussion featuring corporate and policy leaders at the forefront of the wind, solar and energy conservation industries. Focused on the theme, “Moving Toward a Renewable Energy Future,” the panelists will share insights on the feasibility of renewable energy and conservation to meet our nation’s energy needs and address climate change. The panel will also examine the government policies and funding needed to scale up existing technologies and develop new ones. Panelists include: Lyle K. Rawlings, P.E., President & CEO, Advanced Solar Products, the premier installer of solar power systems in the East Coast region; Paul Reale, MEME, LEED-AP, Founder & CEO, Green Allowance, a company with a vision to inspire American children to lead their families into becoming the most resource-efficient in the industrialized world; and Roger Dixon, President & CEO, Skylands Renewable Energy, a New Jersey company that works with individuals, businesses, municipalities, schools, churches and farms to assess, develop, install and maintain renewable energy systems powered by the wind and the sun. Jonathan Cloud, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise at Fairleigh Dickinson University and co-founder of the Center for Regenerative Community Solutions, will moderate the discussion. This event is free and open to the public.

Using film as an educational tool, NJPPN’s Energy Month will also present a community screening of “Carbon Nation.” This inspiring and optimistic documentary focuses on solutions to climate change and demonstrates how climate solutions also address other social, economic and national security issues. Co-sponsors of the free screening include The Sierra Club of NJ and Pascack Sustainability Group. Carbon Nation will be shown on Sunday April 14, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Westwood Public Library, 49 Park Ave., Westwood. Admission is free.

NJPPN’s Energy Month concludes with “Energy, Jobs and the Economy,” a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Professor Joseph Robertson of Villanova University and Citizens Climate Lobby and Bruce Mizrach, Associate Professor of Economics at Rutgers University. Matt Polsky, of the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise will moderate the discussion. The lecture is free and open to the public, and will be held on Thursday April 18, at 7:30 pm at Ramapo High School, 331 George Street, Franklin Lakes.

NJPPN’s Environmental Work Group Co-Chair, Rosemary Dreger Carey says, “NJPPN is so excited to celebrate Earth Day with a series of programs that explore the amazing potential of renewable energy to power our world without relying on planet- warming fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. The free programs are a must-see for business executives, government leaders, teachers, students and anyone interested in a future without fossil fuels.” The program is developed in collaboration with the Ramapo High School Public Policy club.

North Jersey Public Policy Network is a non-partisan, non-profit network with over 1,000 members primarily residing in Bergen County. NJPPN’s mission is to provide factual, credible information on important public policy issues to its members and the public in the interest of promoting solutions that best serve the public interest. More information on NJPPN can be found at www.northjerseypublicpolicy.org."

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