GOVERNOR CRIST HIGHLIGHTS AGENDA FOR FLORIDA SUMMIT ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
July 3, 2007
Contact:
ERIN ISAAC
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced speakers and agenda details for the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change to be held at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel on July 12-13, 2007. With more than 450 participants and nearly 100 Florida, national and international journalists registered for the two-day conference, Governor Crist invited interested individuals, organizations and media to finalize their plans to attend by registering at www.MyFloridaClimate.com.
“I am confident that every person who cares about Florida’s environmental and economic future will want to join us for this summit,” Governor Crist said. “Our outstanding keynote speakers and panelists will share their tremendous insight into the importance of Florida’s developing strategies to address global climate change.”
Last month, Governor Crist announced three keynote speakers for the summit: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Theodore Roosevelt IV. In addition, the summit will bring together other state, regional, national and international leaders in global climate change, as well as significant members of the business and environmental communities, to explore methods for advancing the global climate change agenda and for adopting specific climate action plans.
Agenda for the Florida Summit on Global Climate Change
Speakers and panelists at the summit will help participants understand the urgency of climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Topics of sessions include clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, efficient transportation and land use, agriculture and forestry conservation and success stories relating to reducing carbon emissions.
Panelists with expertise in increasing energy efficiency include Dr. Bill Chameides, chief scientist for Environmental Defense, and Dr. R. Neil Elliot, director of the Agriculture and Industry Program for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Dr. Nick Bollman with the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University will speak about how smart-growth principles can increase energy efficiency.
Today, Governor Crist announced that venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, will be a keynote speaker at the event. Khosla has invested heavily in renewable energy companies, including ethanol companies. His firm, Khosla Ventures, supports breakthrough scientific work in clean technology areas such as bio-refineries for energy and bioplastics, solar batteries and other environmentally friendly technologies.
Other renewable energy experts will include Dr. James M. Fenton of the Florida Solar Energy Center; Dr. Lonnie Ingram, distinguished professor of microbiology and director of the Florida Center for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels at the University of Florida; Ernie Shea, project coordinator of 25x’25 America’s Energy Future; and wind-energy expert, Steve Bolze, president of Power Generation at GE Energy.
About the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change
The summit will bring together policy makers, academics, scientists, environmentalists and the business community to discuss the impact of climate change in Florida. These experts will help develop best practices related to alternative fuels and emission standards. The group’s strongest recommendations will help shape procedures for state agencies and future legislation. Individuals and media interested in attending the summit can register at www.MyFloridaClimate.com.
For more information, visit www.MyFloridaClimate.com or www.flgov.com.