MORPC 2018 Summit on Sustainability

Theme: Planning for and Equitable Region.

Ask about student sponsorships to help reduce cost to attend at senr@osu.edu

http://www.morpc.org/event/summit-on-sustainability/

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will host the 2018 Summit on Sustainability on Thursday, October 25^th at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Columbus, OH from 8am – 4:15pm. The Summit is MORPC’s signature environmental conference, bringing hundreds of community leaders together to explore and share sustainable solutions.

The Summit theme, “Planning for an Equitable Region”, focuses on sharing best practices that can be applied by local government, businesses, and residents to improve the built environment in which we live. The Summit will include top notch speakers to share stores and ideas related to sustainability.

MORPC has secured Majora Carter as the Morning Plenary Session Keynote. Majora is a leading urban revitalization strategy consultant, real estate developer, and Peabody Award winning broadcaster. She is responsible for the creation and implementation of numerous green-infrastructure projects, policies, and job training and placement systems. Join us for the Lunch Plenary Session that will highlight local, state, and national leaders that work on sustainability initiatives every day. Throughout the day, don’t miss out on breakout sessions that will focus on topics such as active transportation, local foods, data, water quality, energy, air quality, materials management, and policy!

There will be great breakout sessions focusing on energy and air quality:

The Region’s Energy Focus: Now and in the Future, 10-11 a.m.:

With the release of the Franklin County Energy Study, a reinvigorated focus on the region’s energy network has emerged. Reducing energy consumption in our homes and decarbonizing our transportation options are occurring in concert with approaches that build equity and resiliency. In this session, three local leaders will discuss current efforts and future opportunities to reduce the energy burden, strengthen our communities, and improve the quality of life for everyone around the region.  

Speakers:

James Schimmer, Franklin County Economic Development & Planning

Adrian Andrews, Columbia Gas of Ohio

Mike Bradley, Central Ohio Transit Authority

Air Quality: Equity, Impacts and Community Solutions, 2:15-3:15 p.m.:

Exposure to air pollution isn’t the same for everyone, nor is the way their lives are impacted by it. The transportation and energy sectors are both sources of air pollution but innovations and increases in energy efficiency in these sectors are key to providing solutions.  This session will explore how exposure to air pollution can both reflect and be the driver of inequity in our communities and it will highlight local efforts to protect public health and improve air quality.

Speakers:

Dr. Beth Allen, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Dr. Kerry Ard, The Ohio State University, School of Environment and Natural Resources

J.M. Rayburn, City of Dublin