CINCINNATI — Green Umbrella has spent the past 25 years trying to bring attention to the need for the greater Cincinnati area to embrace and prepare for climate change.
For the past quarter century, the nonprofit has brought together elected leaders, subject matter experts and the Average Joe to discuss the region's toughest environmental problems. One of their primary vehicles for these conversations over the past decade has been the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit.
On Friday, Green Umbrella convened its 10th summit at a new, larger location at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati.
What You Should Know
- A group of 600 people gathered in downtown Cincinnati last week for the 10th Regional Midwest Sustainability Summit
- The group spent the day attending workshops, taking part in discussions focused on tackling climate change
- The Duke Energy Convention Center hosted the summit this year to accommodate a record number of attendees
- A key component of the event is networking
A group of 600 participants spent the day in more than 20 breakout sessions, panel discussions and workshops. Some topics discussed included government policy, transportation, food systems, climate justice, green infrastructure, and the green economy.
The third floor of the conference center served as an important gathering point before, during and after the panel discussions. (Spectrum News 1/Casey Weldon)
The third-floor space also included an art exhibit with interactive exhibits, a virtual reality space and a healing and wellness space, according to Charlie Gonzalez, member relations and events manager for Green Umbrella.
The summit moved downtown this year because it offered a better Cincinnati experience for out-of-town visitors, Gonzalez said. He also said there were people visiting from Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and “everywhere else in Ohio and Kentucky.”
But the move also had a practical component, Gonzalez said. This year's registrations were 50% more than the previous record year, while also seeing increases in exhibitors and advertisers.
This development is emblematic of the region's commitment to sustainability efforts, he said.
“We want people to think about the possibilities of what's possible if we do it right,” Gonzalez added. “This is a movement of passion here in Cincinnati, and we want to help people find their place and create a better world.”
The theme of this year's summit is 'imagine what's possible'. It was a powerful touch point in the keynote address delivered by Katharine Wilkinson, executive director of The All We Can Save Project and best-selling author.
“The shocking part about climate decision-making and climate action is that it's happening everywhere all the time, so we need leadership on this issue from everywhere,” said Wilkinson, who was named one of 15 “women who will save the people. ” with year magazine.
“From different departments within a city government to different companies operating in a city to community groups and neighborhoods — there is such a need for leadership in climate and all of these spaces. But it is unusual for these different corners to be in a common space and have the opportunity for dialogue and cooperation,” he added. “Spaces like this, where we can have genuine dialogue, are really important.”
Andy Holzhauser, a Green Umbrella board member, recalled attending the first Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit more than a decade ago.
“It was a small group of passionate people,” said Holzhauser, partner and CFO of Cincinnati-based Donovan Energy. “You have to have that passion, but if it stays small, you'll never have the teaching you need to make a difference.”
Over the years, the event has grown into a magnet for corporate CEOs, government lobbyists, climate scientists, elected officials and community leaders. He cited commitments from companies such as Procter and Gamble and Fifth Third Bank. But they haven't forgotten the “Jim Down Under,” he said.
The event brought together field experts, politicians and residents to work on community preparedness efforts for climate change. (Spectrum News 1/Casey Weldon)
Having everyone at the table is critical, Holzhauser said, because they need every voice to speak and weigh in to get anything done.
“There is a lot of work to be done. To do that, the rooms have to be bigger and we have to attract more people,” he added.
Cincinnati resident Sherry Nicholas made the trip downtown to learn about electric vehicle charging. Her condominium complex wants to install one, and she wanted to talk to people like Holzhauser to go over the options.
While she was most interested in the electrification panel, she found discussions about food sharing and sustainability through community.
“It was so interesting,” he said. “I'm glad I stuck around for the other panels.”
Nicholas expressed excitement at the number of government leaders, corporate partners, non-profit organizations and subject matter experts attending. He especially appreciated the scheduled networking time before and after the event.
“We're moving in the right direction,” Nicholas said of the Queen City. “I think the grassroots movement at the local level is pushing companies toward sustainability efforts as opposed to the other way around. I'm glad the big wigs are here to listen, and really, honestly, have a conversation.”
One of the elected officials in the room was Cincinnati Council Member Meeka Owens, chair of the Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Committee. He called the summit “an important part” of the city's climate action planning because it connects experts and advocates with the necessary people and resources.
An exhibitor in the room was Blue Ocean Solids, a sustainability-focused water treatment company based in Loveland, Ohio.
Kathleen Collier, the company's director of sales and marketing, called the Sustainability Summit a key opportunity for Blue Ocean to expand its network. He described the water treatment market as a “it's always been this way” situation. The summit gave her team a chance to “meet people who want to do the same things we are,” she said.
“It's just a great community,” Collier added of Friday's attendees.
This summit is a gathering of the region's sustainability community and “thought leaders,” said Oliver Kroner, director of the City of Cincinnati's Office of Environment and Sustainability. He described it as an opportunity to network and hear about emerging work in climate change preparedness.
He called it “energizing” to see how different local efforts come together and support each other.
Members of Kroner's team were at the Duke Energy Convention Center to “share and learn,” he said. Along with elected leaders, Kroner participated in panels on the recently approved the five-year update of the Cincinnati Green Plan, the city's climate action plan. They also discussed the many city and community projects underway to make this a reality.
Examples include the the largest city-led solar array in the country and the 2030 Cincinnati District, a a commitment by businesses, developers and the city to reduce carbon use by the year 2030.
Other members of his committee included Owens, Councilwoman Liz Keating and Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus.
“Cincinnati continues to receive national and international attention for its urban climate work. Of course, sustainability is not competition. it's work that requires collaboration and innovation,” Kroner said. “The summit is an opportunity to showcase all this good work and inspire more.”
“Our goal was for all attendees to leave with a sense of hope and understanding of how they individually fit into the collective climate effort,” he added.
