Governor Ned Lamont this week announced that Connecticut, through collaboration between several state agencies, UConn, and other partners, is launching its first-ever Sustainability and Resiliency Week. From Sunday, September 22 to Sunday, September 29 — concurrent with National Preparedness Month — the state will host a series of in-person, online, and hybrid events related to climate resilience, nature-based solutions, water quality, transportation, energy initiatives, and more — all of which are factors that impact the health of individuals and communities across Connecticut.
The more than 20 scheduled events are designed to foster collaboration among organizations and engage the general public in ongoing efforts to address social and environmental challenges. The state agencies participating in the initiative’s presentations include but are not limited to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Office of Policy and Management, Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
“Sustainability and Resiliency Week is an opportunity to highlight and enhance the public health infrastructure so that we can ensure drinking water is safe throughout our state and be better prepared for the effects of climate change,” DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. “The science shows that we are experiencing severe health impacts of human-caused climate change.”
Juthani explained that shifts in precipitation patterns, hotter temperatures, and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increase exposure to infections like EEE, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease.
The Governor’s office is also celebrating progress in recent years to make Connecticut one of the most resilient states in the country, such as taking steps to increase energy efficiency, shrink the state’s carbon footprint, reduce waste, and cut the costs of government operations.
On Monday, September 23, UConn’s second annual Sustainable Clean Energy Summit, which takes place at its main campus in Storrs, will feature a keynote address from U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Gene Rodrigues.
Click here to visit the state’s Sustainability and Resiliency Week website.
Click here to view the calendar of events.