Financial Innovation: Ways to Invest in the Green Economy

The July 22 webinar “History of Environmental Justice in America and the Frontlines of Climate Justice Today in Connecticut” featured keynote remarks by Deeohn Ferris, President of the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), on the history of Executive Order 12898 “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations,” and a panel discussion with Lonnie Reed, Chair of the Connecticut Green Bank, Rep. Geraldo Reyes (75th District – Waterbury), John Harrity (Chair of the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs), and Brenda Watson (Executive Director of Operation Fuel) on the issues in Connecticut today on climate justice. 

Our August 10 webinar featured a panel of non-profit policy advocates speaking on several key initiatives at the intersections of energy, environment, labor and housing. Guests were Aziz Dehkan, Executive Director and Lead Organizer, CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs; Melissa Kops, Architect, City of New Haven Department of Engineering, Board Member of CT Green Building Council; Robert LaFrance, Policy Director, Audubon Connecticut; and Amy McLean, Senior Policy Advocate and Connecticut Director at Acadia Center’s Connecticut office, with the Green Bank’s Matt Macunas, Associate Director of Legislative Affairs and Regulatory Policy, as moderator.

Our September 30 webinar featured speakers from three very successful community projects in Connecticut funded through Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund. These projects are the green roof project at Westville Nursery School (presented by Matt Desfosses, treasurer of the Westville Community Nursery School); the Bridgeport Film Festival (presented by Jason Coombs, actor, filmmaker and teaching artist); and the Sterling Street Sanctuary (presented by Kamora Le’Ella Herrington, Founder and Visionary, Kamora’s Cultural Corner).