UMass Amherst Hosts Panel on State’s Global Warming Solutions Act

April 16, 2013
Contact: 
Janet Lathrop
Contact Phone: 
413/545-0444
 
*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
 
DATE:           Thursday, April 18, 2013
TIME:            Media opportunity 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
WHAT:          Presentations on Massachusetts’ Global Warming Preparedness
WHERE:       Integrated Sciences Building, UMass Amherst campus
 
State officials will present information on the new Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act and State Climate Plan, including plans to meet strict emissions targets by 2020 and related efforts to promote cutting-edge research in support of these goals, especially in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Barbara Kates-Garnick, undersecretary for energy, Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (OEEA), says, “The Commonwealth is highly engaged in the issue of global warming. We are working to create cutting edge opportunities for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and preparedness.”
 
In addition to Kates-Garnick, Phil Griffiths, undersecretary for the environment, Massachusetts OEEA, will also speak.
 
Media will be able to interview speakers during a poster session on climate change-related research projects from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. in the atrium of the Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St., Amherst.
 
Also at the event, researchers for the Northeast Climate Science Center (NECSC) at UMass Amherst will outline its goals and mission of responding to the climate research needs of Northeast land, water, wildlife and other natural and cultural resource managers at the federal, state and local level. Richard Palmer, NECSC lead principal investigator and university director, says, “The NECSC is excited by the Commonwealth’s commitment and engagement in the important policy issues around the impacts of climate change. We are looking forward to a discussion and a long-term relationship with the Commonwealth to help address climate research needs in the region and apply science to meet the goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act. We feel fortunate to have the CSC located in a state so committed to using science to inform public decision making.”
 
In addition to Palmer, NECSC director Mary Ratnaswamy will speak.
 
Contact:  Janet Lathrop, 413/545-0444; jlathrop@admin.umass.edu
                 Addie Rose Holland, 413/545-0659; aholland@geo.umass.edu