Loudon Participates In Climate Conference

Last week, Verona resident James Loudon participated Climate Week NYC, a gathering of business and government leaders who are hoping to shape the discussions on renewable energy and sustainability at the United Nations and the Paris climate talks. Loudon attended the conference as an agent of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for whom he has worked, in the Engineering Department, for more than 20 years. He is also a member of the Verona Environmental Commission.

One of the week’s activities was a conference entitled “Urban Innovation for Livable Cities“, which was sponsored jointly by New York City and Copenhagen. On Friday, September 25, both cities pledged a partnership in sustainable design initiatives and the symposium was the culmination of this agreement.

The agreement and Climate Week coincided with a number of other environmentally significant events in New York, including Pope Francis’ address to the U.N. General Assembly in which he reiterated his sustainability themes espousing environmental justice. The 193-member-nation assembly went on to adopt, by consensus, 17 global sustainable development goals as precursor to the Paris Conference on Climate Change that is planned for later this year.

At the reception on Friday evening, Loudon had the privilege of meeting Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the prime minister of Denmark, who was the keynote speaker at the conference. It was only a personal digression for the local resident, and at an informal point in the evening, but the prime minister’s appearance at the event certainly highlighted the critical importance of the subject matter.