Little Rock Forum Follow-Up
Follow-Up to Today's Global Warming Forum
For Immediate Release
Friday, August 17, 2007
Contact: Don Richardson
Director, ARCAP
501-592-1391
April Ambrose
Representative
501-733-9996
Little Rock, Ark. – On Friday, August 17, the Arkansas Climate Awareness Project (ARCAP) hosted a forum at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library's Great Hall to discuss global warming science, the impacts of global warming on Arkansas, and the role the state’s agricultural community can play in solutions to global warming.
“This record-breaking heat wave makes the prospect of rising temperatures all too real,” said Don Richardson, Director of the Arkansas Climate Awareness Project. “Even more heat-related fatalities in Arkansas are possible as global warming takes hold.”
"Fortunately, it's not too late start reducing global warming's impact and Arkansas can play a leadership role in commonsense solutions," said Craig Sieben, President of Sieben Energy Associates. "I am an optimist that believes working to solve global warming is one of the greatest business opportunities of all time."
“Our state is at the forefront of solutions, such as biofuels, solar energy and carbon sequestration, that are being considered at the state and national levels. While we will undoubtedly experience global warming’s effects, today’s discussion shows us how we can position the state to capitalize on economic opportunities,” said Richardson.
Proponents of combating global warming point to new technologies with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy such as biofuels and solar power and a method called carbon sequestration are improving everyday while providing economic opportunities for the state.
“Arkansas’ diverse agricultural sector has a unique opportunity to help refine biofuel technology to help reduce the impact on global warming and our reliance on foreign oil,” said Randy King, the Director of the Plant Materials Center in Booneville, Arkansas.
The speakers for this forum included: Dr. Larry Coleman a retired physics and astronomy professor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Randy King the Director of the Plant materials Center in Booneville, Tommy Foltz, past founder and president of Patriot Biofuels in Stuttgart, and Bill Kopsky the Director of the Arkansas Public Policy Panel. The keynote speaker was Craig Sieben the President of Sieben Energy Associates from Chicago, Illinois who presented Technological and Business Leadership Solutions for this forum. Craig Sieben has been a leader in developing the market for energy efficiency and green initiatives in the greater Chicago Area. He has been an energy efficiency specialist since 1980. Sieben Energy Associates is a leading energy efficiency services firm in the midwest, focusing on smart energy purchasing and energy use, and has been in business since 1990.
This Little Rock forum is one of 15 that ARCAP has hosted in different areas of the state. For more information on the forums and ARCAP please visit www.arclimate.org
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The Arkansas Climate Awareness Project (ARCAP) is a broad-based, nonpartisan effort to inform Arkansans about how global warming threatens our state and how we can actually gain economically from seriously addressing the problem.