The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce held its second annual Living Green Symposium April 24 at a location ideally suited to discuss sustainable living ”“ the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries at Dennings Point. The event coincides with other Earth Day events going on around the region.
“Smart Water Management” was the subject it addressed this year, engaging speakers from Scenic Hudson, the Omega Institute, IBM and the state Department of Environmental Conservation to discuss and exchange ideas and information.
The symposium began with a keynote address by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who warned that today”™s frustration over the lack of oil may be overshadowed in the future by the lack of clean drinking water. If scientists are correct in their predictions about climate change, warned DiNapoli, “Clean water will become the new oil.”
DiNapoli told attendees his office had prepared a research brief, “Cracks in the Foundation ”“ Local Government Planning and Infrastructure Needs,” outlining the deficiencies throughout the state and the cost to bring them up to acceptable standards. The report estimated necessary upgrades would cost in excess of $250 billion.
