Cool Communities - Living Economies 2006 conference

The 'cool communities' partnership was launched at the conference 'cool communities/ living economies' and is planning next steps now.

Dedicated to the legacies of Jane Jacobs, urban visionary
and Donella Meadows, sustainability pioneer.

This action conference was produced by Sustainable Hudson Valley and friends October 14, 2006 at SUNY New Paltz.

PROGRAM

The Challenge:

The global climate crisis is finally penetrating the awareness of citizens and policymakers alike. Big changes are needed in the ways we live and work. We need to save energy and shift to more renewable sources of power. We also need to address deeper aspects of the economy that are shaped by fossil fuel dependency:

Finding ways to meet basic needs, such as food and energy, in our own region;
Redesigning our production system to favor local sourcing, materials- and energy-efficiency;
Planning our communities and economies so that people work closer to home, saving people time and expense, and saving energy resources.

Leadership is emerging. Coming to grips with the need to protect our earth’s climate actually opens the door to an entirely new approach to economic development. The benefits include reduced commutes, cleaner air, healthier homes, and more quality jobs, as well as revitalizing our small cities as focal points for innovation and community. The opportunities are enormous. What is needed is a spark to ignite the Hudson Valley’s creative engine.

The Gathering:

This special conference brought together 120 Hudson Valley leaders and citizens who are concerned about climate change and the state of our communities. The gathering includedexperts on sustainable economic development, and with Hudson Valley industry spokespeople who are leading the way. Together we reframed the global environmental crisis as an opportunity to innovate and revitalize our cities, towns and villages, creating good jobs in key industries like clean, renewable energy, local food and agroforestry, recycling-based industries, transportation alternatives, and environmental restoration. Its purpose was to support the creation of an alliance to build effective local demonstration projects, policy initiatives and a regional vision. This was not "another conference" but a focused gathering of do-ers to exchange essential information, inspire each other and create a partnership for action.