Post Fair

Thanks to all who attended, exhibited, spoke at the New London Sustainability Fair, including a special thanks to NLSC chairperson Kenric Hanson for organizing, Gina McCarthy for delivering the keynote speech, and Dr. Lou Allen of the New London Science & Tech. Magnet High School for hosting. Ms. McCarthy, Commissioner of the CT Dept. of Environmental Protection gave a speech that was both inspiring and very funny. She reminded the audience that good things, like sustainability initiatives, take time and effort to develop. She also contrasted sustainability of today with environmental regulation of the 1980s. Borrowing phrases from President Clinton’s 2008 DNC address, she described the latter as an “example of power”, likening it to a powerful but blunt instrument that is slow to be employed. Sustainability, on the other hand, is best communicated through the “power of our example”. And this example can be set by governments, committees like ours, and especially individuals. From clean energy sign-ups (of which there were several at the fair) to recycling to energy efficiency improvements around the home, to questioning the health impacts of chemicals around us, the opportunities are vast. A number of ideas were generated for sustainability initiatives in New London, many of which would involve people from all over town, from the public schools, local colleges, city government, environmental groups, etc. Stay tuned New London. Here are a few photos from the Fair (thanks to Kim Blake).