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The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many inequities within our society. As Vermont looks to rebuild our economy in the wake of this crisis, we have an opportunity to develop a new model for prosperity—one that puts climate resiliency, equity, and a low-carbon transition at the center of our recovery efforts.

Join VBSR, businesses, and climate advocates from across Vermont to learn how our little state can prepare to meet the challenges of a warming world, promote environmental justice, and seize the economic and job-creating benefits that climate action presents. This will include a presentation from the Energy Action Network on where Vermont stands on its emissions reduction goals and the economic benefits of decarbonization, as well as a facilitated Q&A session with leaders from VPIRG, VNRC, and Burton, on the latest climate action bills moving through Vermont’s legislature.

Meet our presenters:

Jared Duval – Executive Director, Energy Action Network

Jared has served as EAN’s Executive Director since 2017. Before leading EAN, he served as Economic Development Director at the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Part of the ninth generation of his family to call Vermont home, Jared grew up in the Upper Connecticut River Valley and now lives in Montpelier.

He also serves as Co-Chair of the Clean Energy Development Fund and is a Board member of the Public Assets Institute. Jared holds graduate degrees from Princeton University – Woodrow Wilson School (Master in Public Affairs – Domestic Policy) and the University of Cambridge (MPhil, Modern Society and Global Transformations).

Johanna Miller – Energy & Climate Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council 

Johanna also serves as the coordinator of the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network, the statewide network of town energy committees and the partners who support them. In these roles, Johanna works from the grassroots to the Legislature to help advance clean energy and climate action programs and policies. Johanna was a member of Governor Phil Scott’s Climate Action Commission and also serves on the Clean Energy Development Fund board, the Vermont Energy Education Program board, the Vermont System Planning Committee and the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee. Prior to joining VNRC in 2005, Johanna spent five years working as an organizer and policy expert for a statewide environmental policy and advocacy organization in Michigan – the Michigan Land Use Institute. Johanna is a graduate of the University of Vermont and lives in Montpelier; a home base from which she and her family love to ski, hike, camp, bike, garden and travel.

Ben Edgerly Walsh – Climate & Energy Program Director, VPIRG

Since 2012, Ben has run VPIRG’s energy program, leading campaigns on issues from establishing Vermont’s groundbreaking renewable energy standard, to expanding our net metering program, to establishing nation-leading appliance efficiency standards and defending Vermont’s energy efficiency work from attacks from the right. At VPIRG, Ben works to research, identify and advance clean energy policy solutions. Prior to taking the reins of VPIRG’s energy program, Ben was VPIRG’s Field Director, engaging and mobilizing thousands of Vermonters in support of VPIRG’s campaigns. He learned the organizing trade in Green Corps, working with National Environmental Trust, Environment America and the Oregon Natural Desert Association, and later serving as Green Corps’ recruitment director. Ben holds a BS in Environmental Studies and BA in Political Science from UVM.

 Jenn Swain – Global Senior Sustainability Manager, Burton Snowboards

A native Vermonter and new snowboarder, Jenn Swain leads a team in development and implementation of sustainability strategies at Burton. She is passionate about protecting the people and playground that sustain snowboarding and the mountain lifestyle. Jenn seeks inspiration both within and beyond the active and outdoor industries and works cross-functionally to progress responsible practices throughout the company. Jenn serves as Burton’s Benefit Corporation Officer and sits on the Sustainability Advisory Council of the Outdoor Industry Association.

This webinar will be held via Zoom, and registration is required. 

Click here to register for this webinar.

Details on how to join the webinar at the scheduled time via your computer or by phone will be sent to you via email confirmation upon registering for this webinar.

Sponsorships are available for VBSR’s webinars. Please reach out to Toby Aronson to learn more, at: tobya@vbsr.org

Learn about other upcoming COVID-19 webinars and resources here.