This video captured sessions at the Summit on “Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change” held at the Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center on February 18, 2015. [Video by Rick McMahan of Vermont In Person: http://www.vermontinperson.com/

Part 1: Opening Remarks and Panel Discussion

  • Opening remarks by Paul Costello, Executive Director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development;  Dan Smith, President of Vermont Technical College; Greg Brown, Board Chair of VCRD; and Peter Shumlin, Governor of Vermont.
  • Panel Discussion on “How Will Regional & Global Climate Change Affect Vermont’s Future?” moderated by Mark Johnson of WDEV Radio. Panelists: Jon Erikson of the Rubinstein School UVM, Alan Betts of Atmospheric Research and Gillian Galford, VT Climate Assessment UVM.

Part 2: Morning session of the “Improving Education, Workforce Development, and Youth Entrepreneurship” Breakout group

  • Moderated by Pat Moulton, Secretary of the VT Agency of Commerce & Community Development. Panelists: Dan Smith, President of Vermont Technical College; Emily Piper, Launch Vermont; Andrew Savage, All Earth Renewables; and Marguerite Dibble, gametheory consulting.

Part 3: Business Leadership Panel

The Business Leadership Panel reflects on “As you look to the future, how will your business respond to Climate Change? What does Vermont need to do to support businesses in the sector?” Panel moderated by Ross Sneyd, National Life Group. Panelists: Joe Fusco, Casella Waste Systems; James Moore, SunCommon; Brian Otley, Green Mountain Power; Stuart Hart, UVM and Enterprise for a Sustainable World.

Part 4: Afternoon session of the “Improving Education, Workforce Development, and Youth Entrepreneurship” Breakout group

  • Moderated by Pat Moulton, Secretary of the VT Agency of Commerce & Community Development. Panelists: Dan Smith, President of Vermont Technical College; Emily Piper, Launch Vermont; Andrew Savage, All Earth Renewables; and Marguerite Dibble, gametheory consulting.

Part 5: Keynote Address; Moderator reports; VCRD’s Community Leadership and Lifetime Achievement Awards

  • Keynote Address by Jigar Shah, the founder of SunEdison
  • Work Group Conclusions with the moderators reporting three key ideas from their sessions;
  • Paul Costello discussing the Next Action: The Vermont Climate Change Economy Council;
  • Presentation of the VCRD Awards • 2015 Community Leadership Award to the St. Albans Community Leadership – Dominic Cloud, Liz Gamache, Warren Hamm, Suzanne and Emerson Lynn • Lifetime Achievement Award to John Ewing