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Environmental Professionals Network

School of Environment and Natural Resources

CFAES

Climate Action: Our Local Response to a Global Challenge

Jan 15, 2019, 7:15am - 9:30am

 


PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The U.S. Global Change Research Program just released its Fourth National Climate Assessment. Some weather-related challenges in our region include impacts such as flooding, drought, and increases in urban heat islands. We know our climate is changing, so what is our Central Ohio community doing about it?

Facilitated by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, this EPN Breakfast program convenes a group of community leaders across public and private sectors, including Franklin County, the City of Columbus, and Smart Columbus, who are making targeted efforts to mitigate and adapt to greenhouse gas-induced climate change.

Join the conversation as we explore local, aspirational goals that organizations in our region have set towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. You will also receive status updates from public and private efforts seeking to reduce our regional carbon footprints and work towards creating a more climate-resilient community.   


AGENDA

Welcome remarks: Jeff Sharp, PhD, director, School of Environment and Natural Resources

William Murdock, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Jim Schimmer, director of the Economic Development and Planning Department for Franklin County

Alana Shockey, assistant director for Sustainability for the City of Columbus

Jordan Davis, director of Smart Columbus at the Columbus Partnership

William Murdock leads Q&A


SPEAKERS 

Jim Schimmer, director of the Economic Development and Planning Department for Franklin County

Jim hasserved in this role since 2016, where he is responsible for development activities within Franklin County, Ohio, including economic development, housing, land use planning, zoning, and building regulations. As Executive Director for the Rock Downtown Partnership, between 2000 and 2002, Jim was responsible for the management of a 28-block special improvement district and worked on planning for the Clinton Foundation Library, streetcar system, and recruitment and retention of businesses. From 1994 to 2000 Jim served as the Downtown Development Manager for the City of Columbus. Jim received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and his Master of Arts degree in Geography from the University of North Dakota.

Alana R. Shockey, assistant director for Sustainability for the City of Columbus

Alana leads the Office of Sustainability and oversees the Blueprint Columbus, GreenSpot, and Sustainable Columbus programs. She is responsible for developing and implementing the city’s sustainability goals; advising the City of Columbus on environmental objectives and actions related to climate change, energy, and ecological systems; and collaborating with environmental stakeholders inside and outside the city. Prior to her work with for the city, Alana worked as an environmental attorney in private practice and at the Ohio Attorney General's office focusing her practice on surface water, drinking water, and contaminated sites. Alana received her Juris Doctorate degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with a bachelors degree from The Ohio State University.

Jordan Davis, director of Smart Columbus at the Columbus Partnership

Instrumental in the City of Columbus’ winning U.S. Department of Transportation’s Smart Cities Challenge Grant, Jordan serves on the leadership team spearheading the strategy and collaboration for the joint venture of Smart Columbus. During her time at the Partnership,she has led the member and community affairs portfolio, curating educational leadership programs for the Region’s top business leaders. Additionally, she helped to reinvent the town-gown relationship with The Ohio State University, incepting Columbus’ Student Engagement Strategy, a first of its kind initiative focused on retaining students post graduation. Outside of the Partnership, Jordan is three-term Chair of the Create Columbus Commission; Co-founder and Director of the Central Ohio Leadership Academy; and member of the board for the Columbus Crew SC Foundation and Columbus School for Girls.

William Murdock, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is a voluntary association of more than 60 Central Ohio local governments and regional organizations serving the fastest growing region in Ohio. William is actively involved in a number of local, state, and national organizations, including Ohio State’s Knowlton School Alumni Association, the National and the Ohio Association of Regional Councils, and with Partners Achieving Community Transformation. William is a longtime resident of Central Ohio and proud Buckeye with multiple degrees from The Ohio State University, including the School of Environment and Natural Resources.

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