Greetings!
We're enjoying the warmer weather April brings and a slew of new information to share with you in this newsletter. Take a look below to meet a fresh face for Leaders in Energy members who want to volunteer more, read one of our eight new blogs covering a variety of topics, learn how a new technology to make electric motors nearly twice as efficient, and keep up to date with events in the local DC area for sustainability focused individuals.
A New Volunteering Champion
Leaders in Energy is excited to introduce Linda Mansdorf as our new Volunteer Coordinator! Linda is passionate about sustainability and is thrilled to be a part of Leaders in Energy. She holds a certificate in Conservation & Environmental Sustainability from Columbia University and is a LEED Green Associate. Due to her studies, she became convinced there is a need to radically change the way in which we use natural resources and to communicate this need to the general public. She has since led presentations on sustainability awareness. An accomplished professional, Linda has prior experience as a business analyst in the pharmaceutical industry and in academia.

Interested in volunteering with Leaders in Energy? Let us know about your interests and skills here. Connect with Linda by email at: lmandsdorf@leadersinenergy.org

Leaders in Energy would also like to thank Marcia Rock for her contributions in serving as our first Volunteer Coordinator where she assisted us in setting up a number of volunteer systems and coordinating volunteers for several key events. We first met Marcia at our Green Jobs Forum and she has just landed a new job - we are delighted for her.  
Can We Make a Better Motor?
Two Leaders in Energy members, John Craig and Xavier Vergara, recently had a chance to interview Washington, D.C. based inventor Robert Catalan about his effort to build a new electric motor.

By achieving more efficient energy production from an electric motor, Robert hopes to create a paradigm shift in the energy space for electric vehicles and more technologies.

You can read more about this potentially game-changing innovation here. You can listen to the interview with Robert Catalan at Arlington Independent Media here.
Some Highlights from Climate Reality Discussion in Arlington on April 9th
I attended the Climate Reality Project presentation that was given by former Arlington County Board Member, Jay Fisette, on April 9th at George Mason University. He also moderated a panel discussion with GMU Prof. Timothy DelSole, Chief Editor of the Journal of Climate; Paul Bledsoe, Progressive Policy Institute and national media contributor on climate policy and politics; Demetra McBride, Arlington Environmental Management Bureau Chief; and Scott Sklar, President of the Stella Group. Here are a couple of highlights below.

The slide deck covered both the climate crisis and solutions. I highly recommend that if you have not seen it that you attend one of these presentations or download a portion of the presentation here. Fisette says we are releasing 110 million tons of CO 2 into the atmosphere every 24 hours! This rate is higher than at any time in the fossil records stretching back 66 million years. The presentation also touched on a number of solutions, particularly the growth in renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind.

Paul Bledsoe referred to numerous "tipping points" in climate change where a critical threshold is reached with cascading effects that can completely alter the state of the system. Here is an article that lists a number of these including how as the Arctic warms, sea ice melts which exposes dark ocean waters that reflect sunlight much less efficiently.

He also discussed the great opportunity that we have to unleash new innovation to create jobs for the new clean energy economy and how a price on carbon can help incentivize this. He mentioned the civil rights movement and how you need both bottom up and top down actions to make societal changes. Ted DelSole spoke of "American Exceptionalism" and how we can do great things. He suggested that discussions of climate change focus more on solutions as he thinks Americans can find more common ground there than arguing over the science.

Demetra McBride explained how Arlington is updating its Community Energy Plan (CEP) and how they are developing a sustainability dashboard which will track progress in energy, water, and solid waste. There will be an event in May to report on the CEP.

Scott Sklar highlighted the great progress that continues to be made in energy efficiency and renewable energy and his belief that these solutions need to be pushed locally which will lead to broader global impact.
What's New On the Blog?
By: Aldrich Reuelraj and Ida Namur
Events You'll Love
Monday, April 22 - "Engineering Sustainability Day: Towards Zero Emissions and Beyond" at the University of Maryland All Day Event Starting @ 9:00 AM Clark Hall Forum, College Park, Maryland.
The Maryland Energy Innovation Institute is committed to catalyzing and developing clean energy technologies and assisting in the transitioning of these technologies into marketable products and services through Maryland-based entrepreneurial ventures. These energy innovations have tremendous potential to both grow the State of Maryland economy and have a positive impact on addressing global energy needs in a sustainable manner. Leaders in Energy will be an exhibitor. Register here for an energetic day of discussion on these innovations! The event is free to attend.

Wednesday, April 24, Fashion in Full Circle An Evening of Conversation About Circularity in DC's Textile Industry, 6-8 pm
Hosted by the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment, this event will occur in place of our monthly Circular Economy Working Group. Come join Leaders in Energy and local leaders in the fashion community as we discuss and learn about initiatives to make this industry greener. Get your ticket here and attend the event at Optoro 1001 G Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC, a sustainability focused start-up seeking to "green" the retail return space.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019, "The Global Quest for Energy Security," 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM (EDT)
This Annual Spring Conference is conducted by the U.S. Association for Energy Economics - National Capital Area Chapter. Location: George Washington University Marvin Center Continental Ballroom, 800 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052. Confirmed luncheon speaker: David Petraeus, Chairman of KKR Global Institute. General Petraeus is former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and was commanding general of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and Commander of United States Central Command. Learn more and register here.
 
Thursday, April 25, NOVA Community College Annual Green Festival: Annandale Campus - CE Theater Forum & Gym, 9:15 am - 3:00 pm
Leaders in Energy will be an exhibitor at the upcoming Green Festival at NOVA Community College. This year's free-to-attend festival will focus on Biodiversity and Urbanization and showcase tools and research on the challenges of maintaining biodiversity in an urban environment. Register here.

Friday, April 26, Eco Action Arlington Earth Day Breakfast, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m (see special discount for LE members).
This event will feature a presentation from Virginia Delegate Rip Sullivan to hear about environmental successes during the 2019 session as well as Delegate Sullivan’s thoughts on priorities for next year. EcoAction Arlington will also share an update on their programs and initiatives and how businesses and organizations can partner with Eco Action Arlington to build connectivity for sustainability goals. Where - Virginia Tech Research Center, 900 N. Glebe Road, East-West Falls Church Room

Eco Action Arlington is pleased to offer members of Leaders in Energy a $5 discount on the regular registration price of $30 through the link in this email only (don't register through their website). Registration includes breakfast with coffee, tea, and juice.  

Tuesday, April 30; Workshop: Reversing Global Warming-Introduction to Drawdown: 6 :30 - 9 (snacks at 6:30pm, program at 7pm); Centreville Library. 14200 St Germain Dr, Centreville, VA 20121. Click here to RSVP; Sponsors: Climate Action Group of UUCF, Sierra Club Great Falls Group, 350 Fairfax, 350 Loudoun.
Best,

Janine Finnell
Executive Director

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