This was a very enlightening gathering that brought together many of the great minds of green economy and awareness. It was definitely a pleasure to be in their company. It was evident that like minded people were brought together to support and raise green economy awareness.
Presenters:
Mr. Rick Fraizer, Vice President, Supply Chain, Coca-Cola Company
Mr. Lance Wright, Senior Vice President, United States Enrichment Corporation, Inc. (Spoke on the "State of Nuclear Power Industry")
Ms. Sylvia Minton, Senior Vice President, Mage Solar, Inc. (Spoke on "Solar Power Potential in Georgia")
Ms. Olivia Fussell, President and Founder, CINCS and Carbon Credit Capital (Spoke on the "Economic Opportunity for Georgia in Forestry Carbon Offsets")
Mr. Manik Roy, Vice President, Pew Center on Global Climate Change (Spoke on "Policies Affecting Green Economy Growth and Development")
Dr. Srinivas Kilambi, Founder, Sriya Green Companies (Spoke on the "Future of Green Technologies")
There was a plethora of information given by all of the presenters.Overall, Rick Fraizer stated it best, "We are only as strong as the communities that we serve...nobody can do it alone...we must educate in order to make a difference." That a bullet point in my platform! To educate and Inform. It is important to educate the community of interests that would cause our communities, our homes, our world to be informed and thrive. One person cannot do it alone. This is a collective movement. A green economy is the future. It is going to take the City of Savannah to build job opportunities and community profitable relationships that will promote growth in our communities.
Solar Mage is a solar energy company. Georgia has embraced this company and they are currently operating out of Dublin, Georgia (Our pit stop to Atlanta) & Atlanta, Ga. This company has made available 350 jobs for Dublin, Ga. This company also has 25-30 other jobs that are available with their company. They also offer training for installers and have the ability to partner with local technical colleges to provide the training for employment with their company. It is called the Solar Technology Academy. What does this mean for Savannah? This means that if this company were to come here...(1) We would be working towards a greener...economical way of living; (2) We would bring jobs to those that are qualified and training to those that lack the education and experience; (3) Increase the economy here in Savannah.
Dr. Manik Roy expressed that we need voluntary reduction programs; ones that would reduce emissions and call for pollution control; and reduce our carbon footprints. "If you ignore big problems, they only become bigger." I live in the neighborhood adjacent to Union Camp...International Paper. That company emits so much poison into the air that it is difficult to breath, some days. As well as, when the smoke is released from the plant, it leaves blankets and blankets of smoke that you can hardly see the plant that it is coming from. Should there be tougher sanctions on these heavy industrial businesses? Yes!!! Still not convinced? Tell a TOURIST, that the beautiful clouds in the sky are only remnants of pollution from a nearby plant, located in the horizon of the Talmadge bridge that they are so in awe over. Tell them that when it rains that they should not open their mouths or stand in the rain due to it being poisonous (acid rain) We should all know the water cycle. Evaporation/Condensation/ Precipitation...Water goes into our soil, lakes, rivers, streams...only to return to us in the form of toxic food and water for human use and consumption. Tell the TOURIST that the fish, shrimp or crab that they are eating came out of that kind of water and see whether they would appreciate it, because who cares that the RESIDENTS have to live with it on a daily basis? (That is just Tonia venting...moving on)
We cannot be closed minded, when we discuss the "green economy. Dr. Srinivas Kilambi made it very clear by stating that if we start with changing the type of soap that we use, we can make a difference in our global environment and economy. He states that soaps are made with petroleum and if we all changed to natural soaps, that we can save lots on petroleum; that could be used for other necessities. Also, if you climbed stairs instead of riding the elevator, that you would increase a 1/2 second on your life per step. Instead of using hardwood floors, replace them with bamboo floors. Saving trees...more green friendly. I agree with him that "much of the manufacturing of the products that we use are not manufactured in the U.S." It is time to bring our jobs back to America.
This is just a sample of the summit. Can't wait for them to come back!! We have to be the innovators and the visionaries to make our world safe for us and the future. If not....you can answer that for yourself. Let's work together for a healthier, greener, safer city and global community.
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