“What’s Driving Regional Energy Policy?”

Members of Southern New England’s commercial fishing industry are teaming up this winter to organize a series of Climate & Energy Learning Circles to help our industry become a more informed and coordinated advocacy force on these issues.

The second learning circle, “What’s Driving Regional Energy Policy?,” will be held on Monday, March 16 from 3:00-6:00 PM in the conference room above Superior Trawl (55 State Street, Narragansett, 02882). All members of Southern New England’s commercial fishing industry are invited to participate. This event will begin with an industry-only discussion for participants to strategize about how fishermen can be most effective at advocating for our industry and oceans during this time of change. Then, we’ll host two speakers who will talk about the latest energy transition trends in the region as well as the climate science that’s driving these trends. Our speakers for this event include Ken Payne, whose extensive background includes formerly serving as the Senior Policy Advisor for the Rhode Island Senate, a research faculty member at URI, and Director of Rhode Island’s Office of Energy Resources; and Sue AnderBois, who recently served as Governor Raimondo’s Director of Food Strategy and as a member of the RI Food Policy Council.

About the Climate and Energy Learning Circles
Climate change and energy issues have become a prominent part of the public discourse in the last few years, a trend that will only increase in the years ahead. The focus on climate change and energy has critical repercussions for fishermen’s lives, perhaps more so than for any other established economic sector in the region.

The goal of the Climate and Energy Learning Circles is to equip fishermen with the knowledge and tools needed to be able to shape the discourse and policies around climate change and energy. Participants will:

• Gain an understanding of the science that is driving public action on climate change;
• Consider a broader menu of tools, tactics, and technology to fight climate change;
• Understand the public processes through which energy and climate planning decisions are made;
• Learn how fishermen can get involved.

With the knowledge and perspectives gained through these discussions, fishermen will be able to work together to craft a new narrative to support a pro-seafood climate action agenda for Southern New England.

The series is sponsored by the Commercial Fisheries Center of RI (www.cfcri.org) with support from Fishing Partnership Support Services (www.fishingpartnership.org). Contact Sarah Schumann (schumannsarah@gmail.com) or Mike Roles (mtroles@gmail.com) for more information.