February Forum: Everyday People & Sustainability

Now more than ever, there is a strong sense of activism being cultivated by people in the face of a changing political and social landscape. Everyday people are eager to take action and do what they can to make a difference and advocate for the causes they believe in. However, it's not always clear what we as everyday people can do for these missions.

Particularly in our community, the question is often asked: What can I do as an NYC resident to make energy and sustainability improvements in my apartment, building or neighborhood?

This month's GreenHomeNYC forum will concentrate on what you can do as a sustainability-minded individual to help pioneer a sustainable future, and what some individuals, communities, and the city as a whole are already doing to help.

Date: Wednesday, February 15th, 2017
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Place: Fujitsu General America: 1450 Broadway, 42nd Floor New York, NY

This month's speakers will include:

Luisa Diaz de Leon - Green Jobs Green NY Program Manager - El Puente: Green Light District - Luisa is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico and received her bachelors in Marketing & Finance from the University of Texas at El Paso, She is also certified as a Building Analyst from the Building Performance Institute. She worked in El Paso Texas in the marketing research field and currently works at El Puente as the Program Manager of the Green Jobs - Green New York program. El Puente's mission is to inspire and nurture leadership for peace and justice through the engagement of members in the arts, education, scientific research, wellness and environmental action.

Carmel Pratt - Sustainability Consultant - Steven Winter Associates - Carmel works with Steven Winter Associates' Residential Green Group to certify buildings through LEED for Homes, ENERGY STAR, Enterprise Green Communities and other state and federal programs. Carmel's ongoing work with developing resident training manuals for green buildings has helped tenants, owners, and managers better understand how to live sustainably.

Tim Keating - Owner - Earthbilt LLC - Earthbilt helps to reduce our impact on Earth's environment, particularly the heavily impacted rainforest, by consulting on and providing alternative building materials. By working with researchers, manufacturers, and suppliers, Earthbilt provides sustainable building materials which can meet the needs of builders while reducing our negative ecological impact.

Gabe Landis - Solar Partnership Program Manager - CUNY - Gabe's work with Solarize NYC helps communities plan and implement solar installation projects. Solarize NYC connects communities with installation companies, provides guidance for community outreach and education, and helps lower installation costs through access to competitive contractor bidding.