Wrapping up the Pisgah Energy Conference

On Saturday, I attended quite possibly the most amazing environmental event I've ever been to. Over 600 people attended the Energy Conference sponsored by the Pisgah Group and held at Brevard College! One of the most heartening things about it was how many young people were there. Definitely gives you some optimism for the future.

The tone of the day's speakers was one of concern for our future, but not hopelessness. We can do something about climate change- we just need to take responsibility in our own lives and put pressure on our governments to do their part as well.

Keynote speaker William Schlesinger of Duke University delivered some sobering facts to kick off the day. By around 2030, North Carolina's climate will become more similar to those currently enjoyed by Jacksonville and Orlando, and Pennsylvania and parts of New England will have weather similar to what we currently experience. The impacts of this climate change will be felt most acutely at night and during the winter.

The latter certainly could explain the erratic weather in North Carolina last week. I do not like driving. In fact, until last week I had not driven on an interstate in over five years. So I was happy on Monday and Tuesday when it was 75 degrees outside. I figured when I drove to Western North Carolina the weather would be clear and calm and I'd at least have that going for me.

Well when I woke up Thursday morning, my car was completely covered with snow! My grandmother, showing no faith in my driving abilities, called and told me not to come. But I did anyway, driving 250 harrowing miles during a winter storm. Of course I lived to tell about it...

Needless to say last week's weather was Exhibit A for Global Warming in North Carolina.

I'll write more about the conference and what we can do on a personal level about climate change soon.

Good job Pisgah!