Adirondack Voters for Change will present a climate change symposium focused on solutions through public policy changes and promoting climate-friendly choices, on Sunday, April 28th, from 1 to 4:30 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church, 57 Church Street, in Saranac Lake.

“Climate Action: What Are We Doing About Climate Change?” — co-sponsored by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake, Paul Smith’s College, and TriLakes 350.org — will highlight actions being taken at all levels of government and throughout society, from the Green New Deal at the federal and state levels to Climate Smart Communities and efforts by local youth in the Saranac Lake-Lake Placid region.

Scheduled speakers include:

Richard Brandt, Science Manager at the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center at Whiteface Mountain, who will provide a brief overview of the latest scientific understanding of climate change;

Joe Henderson, Ph.D., Professor of Environment and Society at Paul Smith’s College, on societal attitudes and the Green New Deal;

Cathy Brown, volunteer with a local chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, on efforts in the US Congress to pass the Carbon Dividend Act;

Dazzle Ekblad, Climate Policy Analyst with the New York State Office of Climate Change, on the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program—in which the Village of Saranac Lake is an active participant;

Village Trustee Patrick Murphy, along with students from Saranac Lake High School and Paul Smith’s College, on the CSC program and other local efforts to deal with climate change;

Emmet Smith and Louise Gava of Northern Power and Light on renewable-energy options for our region;

Betsy Brooks, Head of Technical Services and Automation with the Clinton/Essex/ Franklin Library system, on the global project known as “Drawdown”;

Saranac Lake and Lake Placid high school students on local composting and the plastic-bag ban; and

Caroline Dodd, who is currently studying environmental and sustainability sciences at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences of Cornell University, on currents in the youth climate movement.

Peter Crowley, Managing Editor of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, will serve as emcee, and representatives of several local organizations working on climate change will be on hand to meet and greet the public and provide literature. The event is free, including refreshments, and all are welcome to attend and participate.

To learn more about this event, contact Adirondack Voters for Change at vfc2014ny@gmail or call (518) 637-6653.