International Consortium for a Low-Carbon Society at Stony Brook Southampton

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIRANDA GATEWOOD

Stony Brook Southampton’s Avram Theater was the location of the “International Consortium for a Low-Carbon Society.” A keynote address was given by US Congressman Timothy Bishop with closing remarks by Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny, president, Stony Brook University.

The announcement of this new group was accompanied by an opening symposium, Low-Carbon: Catalyzing the Green Transformation: Networking Transformational Knowledge, Partnerships, Actions. It was hosted by Stony Brook University, State University of New York, supported by the Energy and Research Technology Center, The Center for Excellence in Wireless Information and Technology, and The Center for BioEnergy Research and Development. The new group composed of global organizations was formed by former United Nationals official, Dr. Nay Htun.

Stony Brook University Southampton provost Eric Kaler; research professor Nay Htun; Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny, president, Stony Brook University and interim dean Martin Schoonen, Stony Brook Southampton

Speakers were federal and local elected officials and environmentalists including Shirley Strum Kenny; Eric Kaler, provost and senior vice president; Martin Schoonen, interim dean; research professor Nay Htun; and Dr. Ann-Marie Scheidt, director of economic development. Professor Yacov Shamash, vice president for economic development and dean, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences was unable to attend.

Topics addressed were:
Renewables - Gordian Raacke, executive director, Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI);
Bio-Energy - Prof. Devinder Mahajan, Stony Brook/BNL, Director, NSF Center for Bio-Energy Research and Development;
Carbon Sequestration, Storage and Capture - Prof. Miriam Rafailovich, chief scientist, Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center;
Efficiency and Conservation - Randy Spitzer, manager, commercial programs, Long Island Power Authority; Chuck Schwartz, founder/director, Long Island Green;

Social/Societal Determinants - Beth Fiteni, issues program director, Neighborhood Network; representatives from Vision Long Island;
and
Education/Training - David Winchester, chair, Alternative Energy Subcommittee, Hauppauge Industrial Association; Provost Eric Kaler.

Chuck Schwartz, founder/director, Long Island Green referenced the McKinsey Global Survey 2007 which stated that buildings in the U.S. are responsible for half of the nation’s greenhouse gas emmisions. His agency is targeting energy efficiency in buildings, products and renewable power.

Gordian Raacke, executive director, RELI, affirmed that we have what it takes as citizens to solve this problem.

For the first time, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) has introduced a program to support the incubation of “cleantech” projects as well as green technology enterprises.