Gov. Rell Recognizes Seven Connecticut Leaders

for Innovative Efforts to Address Climate Change

Governor M. Jodi Rell today recognized seven individuals and organizations with an award from the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change for their innovative contributions to address global climate change.

Governor Rell said, “Climate Change is the major environmental challenge of our era and we need the help of everyone – not just government – to successfully address it.  The accomplishments of these award winners clearly demonstrate that the work of individuals matters and can play a real part in helping us reduce the emission of dangerous Greenhouse Gases.  These 2007 award winners are making a real contribution to the future of our planet and for that we thank them.”

Those presented with a 2007 Climate Change Leadership Award include:

      ·        Andy Bauer of Portland, who teaches in the Glastonbury school system

      ·        Dr. Charles Button, Central Connecticut State University

      ·        Tim Cipriano, Food Services Director, Bloomfield Public Schools 

      ·        Byran Garcia, Cromwell, for his work at the CT Clean Energy Fund

      ·        Lynn Plant, Fairfield

      ·        Yale University, New Haven

      ·        Imani Zito, owner of Alchemy Juice Bar Café, Hartford

In presenting the awards at a ceremony at the Department of Environmental Protection in Hartford, DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy, Chair of the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change, said, "In Connecticut, there are so many individuals and organizations working with great dedication to address global climate change. These people show us that there are simple solutions to this overwhelming issue and that each of us can make a difference. We are honored to acknowledge these champions and encourage others to follow in their footsteps."

Commissioner Anne George of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) said, "The onset of renewable and clean electricity programs has provided one mechanism for individuals and businesses in Connecticut to make a statement that they are willing to address climate change. Increased demand for renewable generation resources will over time provide several benefits including long-term price stability, cleaner air and other environmental improvements.. So much of what we do in our day-to-day lives is supported by energy. We can not avoid it, but we certainly can be efficient when using energy. Small changes we make as individuals can have a big impact on our energy independence."

and the Leadership Award

The Connecticut Climate Change Leadership Awards Program was developed by the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change to recognize individuals and organizations that take exemplary actions to reduce global warming pollution and promote the goals of the Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan.  The awards were first presented in 2006.  This year’s awardees were chosen from 19 nominations received statewide

 The Governor’s Steering Committee, established in 2003, includes the Commissioners of the following Connecticut Departments: Environmental Protection, Transportation, Administrative Services, Public Utility Control, Office of Policy and Management, and Clean Energy Fund.  It is charged with leading a collaborative effort to develop and implement a Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan (CCCAP).

The Climate Change Leadership Awards Program is an annual program. For more information and to submit a nomination for next year, see www.ctclimatechange.com.

The state’s climate change website also provides success stories of additional climate change actions throughout Connecticut and provides tips on what individuals, business, towns, and others can do to address climate change. For further information, contact Lynn Stoddard, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 860-424-3236 or c4info@ctclimatechange.com

 Details on the accomplishments of the seven award winners 

Andy Bauer, Portland

            Andy Bauer teaches Technology Education at Smith Middle School in Glastonbury but when it comes to raising awareness about climate change, his classroom extends throughout Connecticut. 

            As a result of Andy’s leadership, his hometown of Portland became just the second town in the state to commit to the 20% by 2010 Campaign, the first to make a municipal purchase under the CTCleanEnergyOptions program and one of the first to qualify as a Connecticut Clean Energy Community. 

            He has shared his expertise on the subject with many other communities, houses of worship and civic organizations throughout the state.  He has become a “Johnny Appleseed of clean energy” in Connecticut.  In addition, Andy has worked tirelessly to promote energy efficiency and reduce diesel pollution as a citizen leader of the Connecticut Climate Coalition and as Legislative Director for People’s Action for Clean Energy.

Charles Button, Central CT State University

            Dr. Charles Button, an assistant professor of geography at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), is involved in several initiatives aimed at educating colleagues and students about climate change.  He developed a coalition of students, faculty, and staff at CCSU to help educate the public and elected officials on the urgency of action to mitigate climate change.  As member of the University’s sustainability committee, he is developing a campus sustainability plan that includes analysis of campus energy use and the creation of a campus wide waste reduction and recycling program. 

            Dr. Button has hosted and facilitated three showings of “An Inconvenient Truth,” created and taught a new course called “Energy Resources and Management,” served as faculty advisor for CCSU’s Earth Week festival, and is helping to coordinate “community conversations” on the role of sustainability in Connecticut schools. 

            On a personal level, Dr. Button has implemented a number of actions to reduce his own carbon footprint.  These actions include the purchase of a hybrid vehicle, replacing all household lighting with compact fluorescent lights, installing automatic shutoff sensors for lights, purchasing 100% clean energy through the CTCleanEnergyOptions program, and planting 30 trees on his property.

Timothy Cipriano, Bloomfield Schools Food Services

            As Food Service Director for Bloomfield Schools, Timothy Cipriano is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by buying locally grown vegetables, fruit, and milk for the school cafeterias.  Since produce travels an average of 1,500 miles from farm to table in the US, buying food from local farms significantly cuts emissions.

            Tim works closely with local farmers and with students to integrate CT Grown foods into the school curriculum.  Catering to the large population in Bloomfield from the West Indies, Tim buys produce such as calaloo, a green native to Jamaica, from Jamaican Farmer Mike Buchananof of Auer Farm in Bloomfield.  The popularity of these ethnic meals inspired Tim to create a “Jamaican Me Crazy” themed lunch using locally grown products when available.

Bryan Garcia, for work at CT Clean Energy Fund on the CT Clean Energy Communities Program & the CT Climate Change Action Plan

            While working at the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Bryan went well above and beyond the normal call of duty.  He helped develop a program to educate state agencies and organizations about climate change issues and he contributed greatly to the development of Connecticut’s Climate Change Action Plan.  Bryan also developed programs and established aggressive targets that encouraged the development and use of renewable electricity in Connecticut.  One of many successful programs that Bryan developed was the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program.  This program continues to result in additional solar photovoltaic (PV) installations throughout the state. 

            Bryan is an extremely dedicated individual who engages and commits to efforts that create an atmosphere encouraging sustainable and efficient behavior.  Bryan drives a hybrid car and continues to educate others by being an example regarding simple steps that may be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Bryan recently joined Yale University as the Program Director of the Center for Business and Environment. 

Lynn Plant, Fairfield

            Lynn Plant drew upon her experience as a marketing communications strategist to change the way people talk and act about climate change in her hometown of Fairfield.  Lynn formed “Fairfield Town Green,” an ad hoc committee focused on facilitating, networking and collaboration among the many local groups that were addressing different aspects of climate change.  The committee developed a page on the town’s website and sponsored a series of seminars on the impacts of consumer choices on global warming.  Lynn’s crowning achievement, however, was the creation of “Tea Talk” parties at which citizens are encouraged to engage in a dialogue with their friends and neighbors about climate change and sign a pledge card containing ten individual action steps for a “cleaner, greener tomorrow.”

Yale University, New Haven

            Yale University and President Levin have taken a leadership role by calling upon institutions of higher education to take a stance on global warming and set greenhouse gas reduction targets for their campuses.  Yale University has challenged itself to aggressively respond to global warming and has committed to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by the year 2020 – consistent with the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers mid-term target.

            To accomplish its aggressive goal, Yale is replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), installing occupancy sensors, obtaining energy from a photovoltaic installation atop one of its buildings and powering its fleet of shuttle buses with ultra-low sulfur diesel and 20% biodiesel blend. 

            The University is also supporting and encouraging student efforts to reduce energy use in residential colleges by applying energy cost savings to the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).  Yale’s residential colleges reduced their energy consumption by more than 10%, and in return the university purchased RECs to cover 2/3 of the students’ remaining consumption   Yale’s energy conservation efforts, coupled with the use of new technology, reduced Yale’s greenhouse gas emissions by 41,000 million tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE) in fiscal year 2006.

Imani Zito, Alchemy Juice Bar Café, Hartford

            Imani Zito, owner of Alchemy Juice Bar Café, runs a “green” business with a low carbon footprint and educates the community on actions to address climate change.  Alchemy offers healthy foods grown in a sustainable manner, runs on clean energy, uses biodegradable take out containers, and makes deliveries in a bio-diesel vehicle. 

            In addition to modeling environmental stewardship, the Café offers educational film series and programs to inspire others to live greener lifestyles.  Under Imani’s stewardship, Alchemy is a place of good food, good conversation and good education and has become a very popular community gathering place.