The World Economic Forum is sounding the alarm – water crises are the top global risk over the next decade. Competition for this essential and highly localized resource is aggravating geopolitical conflict in already stressed environments. This was one of the key messages from Sandra Postel of National Geographic, who delivered the keynote address at the April 25 Northern Virginia Community College Green Festival.
Archive for category: Monthly Events
Cybersecurity and the power grid
In the face of the mounting threats of cyberattacks and the vulnerable, interdependent electric grid systems, governments, utilities, businesses, and people need to come together and do what is necessary to be prepared. No one can afford to be complacent. This was the message at the Energy Infrastructure and Cybersecurity forum held by Leaders in Energy at Make Offices in Arlington, VA (Clarendon) on June 1, 2017.
Are you prepared if the lights go out in your area?
I just finished reading the cyber-techno book thriller, Blackout, by Marc Elsberg, on the theme of a cyberattack in Europe and the United States leading to a prolonged power outage. It made me wonder whether I was really prepared for an emergency of this kind. It was bad enough experiencing the Derecho storm in the summer of 2012 where my neighborhood in Virginia experienced a power outage in the sweltering heat for 5 days!
After that experience, I became more interested in the topic of community microgrids and back-up power systems to help shield one in the event of a power outage. As a result of reading Marc’s book, I have also been doing research on the best ways to prepare for a power emergency, whether caused by natural or more nefarious reasons such a cyberattack.
Career perspectives in sustainable solutions
Showcasing four professional women in sustainability careers for the Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) luncheon panel, participants in the 3rd Annual Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza at The George Washington University (GW) on February 24, 2017 got their burning questions on career perspectives answered.
Extravaganza sponsors bring innovations to college campuses
At the Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza at The George Washington University (GW) on February 24, 2017, attendees learned about what universities in the DC area are doing to reach their sustainability goals and commitments. But, as some of the panelists acknowledged, no one person, office, or even university can bring the high-level change and results alone. At some point in almost any project, whether in higher education or elsewhere, partners are needed.
Clean energy pioneer closes Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza
Capping off an exciting day at the 3rd Annual Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza at The George Washington University (GW) on February 24, 2017, there was a networking reception featuring an expert in clean energy Solutions and policy, Scott Sklar.
Campus sustainability commitments in action
As colleges and universities commit to long-term plans for campus and system-wide sustainability, energy efficiency measures, and renewable energy generation, success stories and lessons learned have emerged in some of the biggest campuses in the Washington, DC region. Campus sustainability managers gathered at the 3rd annual Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza at The George Washington University on February 24, 2017.
Government sustainability experts inspire at GW
Two sustainability leaders at the federal and municipal level participated in a Town Hall discussion at the 3rd Annual Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza on February 24, 2017 at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. The extravaganza featured a series of panels, including a CWEEL luncheon, discussion on sustainability at college campuses, presentations by vendors with sustainable solutions, and a networking reception. This article is the first in a series of articles recapping the highlights of this year’s extravaganza.
Opportunities for Green Financing in 2017
On January 20th, Leaders in Energy partnered with DC Net Impact to host a conversation on Green Financing. Held at a WeWork location in downtown Washington, DC, the event featured a panel of three experts who examined current as well as potential new funding sources for energy and sustainability programs, including in the private sector, international initiatives, and possibilities that may exist under the Trump Administration.
Leaders in Energy 2016 Year in Review
Around the world, 2016 was a year of tremendous change, upheaval in some cases, and new opportunities that the Leaders in Energy group, now in its fourth year, has explored during our twelve sustainability networking events in the Washington, DC area. Here is our review of the past year.