The Lancaster County Climate Summit is a community-focused event for concerned citizens and businesses to work together to advance climate awareness and find ways to take action in Lancaster County.
Celebrate Earth Day with us!
On April 22, 2023, organizations and businesses around Lancaster County will celebrate Earth Day by sharing their expertise and services at the first-ever Lancaster County Climate Summit. The event will take place in venues across Lancaster City, each with its own thematic focus on the challenge of climate change.
The impact of climate change on our daily lives is becoming increasingly evident.
A survey by the World Meteorological Organization shows a continued warming trend in 2022. And while there is momentum around solutions, global greenhouse gas emissions are still increasing. This data is backed up by tangible evidence – reduced crop harvests, extreme weather events, and widespread community displacement.
We believe collective action is the key to progress – join our movement to bring climate action to Lancaster County.
The Climate Summit is expected to bring 5,000-plus attendees through seven themed sites in Lancaster City, where attendees can listen to experts, learn about local green service providers, and connect with existing action groups.
Location & Schedule Information
INFORMATION POP-UP
Address: At the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, King & Queen Streets
TALKING CIRCLE
On the Hour, 11 am to 3 pm: Earth Day Action and Urgency, Kip Adams
Theme: Climate Overview & Climate Conscious Finances
Address: 42 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603
Presentations:
9:00 a.m. Opening Keynote: Eric Sauder, Founder and Executive Director of Regenall, “The 2023 State of the Climate”
10:00 a.m. Dr. Eve Bratman, Franklin & Marshall College, “Climate 101”.
11:00 a.m. Dr. Nadine Garner, Millersville University, “Sustainability Efforts at Millersville”
12:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. David Bushnell, “Organizing Climate Action Neighborhoods”
1:35 p.m. Mackenzie Snader, Everence Financial “Investing and Divesting for a Clean Energy Future”
2:25 p.m. Jaime Arroyo, Assets “Incubating Climate Responsible Businesses”
3:15 p.m. Video address, Pedro Rivera, President, Stevens College of Technology, “A Green Economy, Jobs for the next Generation Workforce”, and Q&A with Judd R. Pittman, Director: K-16 Initiatives
4:00 p.m. Closing Keynote: Dr. Daniel Wubah, President, Millersville University, “The Role of Higher Education in Promoting Sustainability”
Exhibitors:
2023 Lancaster County Climate Summit
Franklin & Marshall College (Dr. Eve Bratman’s Class Presentations)
Millersville University (Dr. Tanya Kevorkian’s Environmental History Class)
Theme: Home Energy, Buildings and Cities, Materials
Address: 24 E King St #42, Lancaster, PA 17602
Presentations:
11:30 a.m. Linford Good, Landis Communities “Climate Action at Landis Communities”
1:00 p.m. Marcus Sheffer, Seven Group “Climate Change is a Symptom of Misaligned Values”
1:30 p.m. Stephen A. Campbell, Director of Public Works, Lancaster City “Climate Action in the City of Lancaster”
2:00 p.m. Michael Musser, Numa Energy “Home Energy Solutions”
2:30 p.m. Ross Gibby, CRDC “From Plastic Waste to Building Material”
3:00 p.m. Monica Carey, Solar United Neighbors “The Lancaster Co. Solar and EV Charger Co-op”
Exhibitors:
City of Lancaster – Municipal Climate Action Plan
RegenAll Navigator Program (Coming Soon!)
Theme: Transportation, Faith-Based Climate Action
Address: 31 S Duke St #1, Lancaster, PA 17602
Presentations:
10:00 a.m. “Beyond Creation, Reading the Bible for the Sake of the Planet,” Dr. Julia O’Brien, Lancaster Theological Seminary
11:00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Christopher M. Rankin, “Come Follow Me”
11:00 a.m. Karl Graybill, Lancaster City, Lancaster’s Active Transportation Plan
11:30 am. “Little Things Make a Big Difference”, Francine Firestine & Isiah Perry, Brightside Baptist Church
12:30 p.m. Tabler Round Robin
1:00 p.m. Mike Jennings Electric Vehicles
1:00 p.m. Panel Discussion, “Environment, Justice and a Faithful Response”, Katie Ruth, PA Interfaith Power & Light, Moderator.
2:00 p.m. “Intuitive Alchemy,” Chynaah Ubuntu
2:00 p.m. “Books to Help You Grow in Awareness & Care” Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Bookstore
3:00 p.m. Mike Jennings “Battery Electric Vehicles; the New Sustainable Transportation Paradigm”
Exhibitors:
Global Shapers – Lancaster Hub
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light
Lutheran Advocacy Ministries PA
Justice Ministries Lower Susquehanna
East Chestnut Mennonite Church
Theme: Food, Land
Address: 119 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Presentations:
10:00 a.m. Diana Smedley & Alex Wenger, Lancaster Gift Box Fermentation Process
11:00 a.m. Linda Ferich, Lancaster Conservancy “Community Wildlife Habitat”
11:00 a.m. Panel Discussion and Q&A: “Sustainability and Resiliency in the Face of Climate Change,” Honorable Danene Sorace, Mayor of Lancaster, Fritz Schroeder, President, Lancaster Conservancy, Jeff Swinehart, President & CEO, Lancaster Farmland Trust & Rev. Matthew Lenahan, Wittel Farm Growing Project.
12:00 p.m. Elizabeth Mills, One With Nature “The Homegrown National Park & Connecting With YOUR Natural Habitat”
12:10 p.m. Steve Groff, Cedar Meadows Farm “Plant Base Health and Well Being”
1:10 p.m. Andrew Phillips, Homefields Care Farm “Regenerative Land Use Practices”
1:10 p.m. Elise Jurgen, Waxwing Ecoworks “Building Biodiversity in Your Backyard”
2:15 p.m. Bethany Smith & Alexandra Neuman, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay “Helping Farms Adapt to Climate Change”
2:20 p.m. Rev. Matthew Lenahan, Wittel Farm Growing Project, “Regenerative Agriculture & Climate Solutions”
3:00 p.m. Christa Choreman & Adam Barkafaski, Penn State Extension “Making Space for Pollinators”
Exhibitors:
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Franklin & Marshall College (Dr. Eve Bratman’s Class Presentations)
Theme: Water
Address: 140 E Orange St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Presentations:
9:30 a.m. Brian Gish, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, “Rainwater Simulator”
9:45 a.m. Emily Broich, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay “Stormwater Management and the Chesapeake Bay”
10:00 a.m. Mary Gattis, Lancaster City, “Stormwater in the City”
10:30 a.m. Dr. Elizabeth DeSanto, Franklin & Marshall College “Sustaining Our Oceans”
10:45 a.m. Keith Williams, Lancaster Conservancy, Lecture “Riverlands Treasure: Life in our Rivers and Streams”
11:15 a.m. Jack Howell, SACA Elm Street Project, “The Conestoga River and Lancaster City”
11:30 a.m. Jim Lewis, Penn State Extension “The Chesapeake Bay Watershed”
12:00 p.m. Brian Gish, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, “Rainwater Simulator”
12:15 p.m. Emily Broich, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay “Stormwater Management and the Chesapeake Bay”
12:30 p.m. Rev. Steve Verkouw, Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake
1:00 p.m. Keith Williams, Lancaster Conservancy “Hidden Rivers” (FILM)
2:30 p.m. Dr. Elizabeth DeSanto, Franklin & Marshall College “Sustaining Our Oceans”
3:15 p.m. Jack Howell, SACA Elm Street Project, “The Conestoga River and Lancaster City”
3:30 p.m. Jim Lewis, Penn State Extension “The Chesapeake Bay Watershed”
3:45 p.m. Keith Williams, Lancaster Conservancy, Lecture “Riverlands Treasure: Life in our Rivers and Streams”
4:00 p.m. Brian Gish, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, “Rainwater Simulator”
4:00 p.m. Rev. Steve Verkouw, Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake
Exhibitors:
City of Lancaster Stormwater Management
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake
Theme: Public Health, Environmental Justice
Address: 40 E Orange St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Presentations:
11:00 a.m. Dr. Alan Peterson “Climate and Public Health”
12:00 p.m. Matt Johnson “Climate Change and the Refugee Crisis”
1:00 p.m. Panel discussion and Q&A: Pennsylvania Environmental Rights Amendment – Policies and Practice John C. Dernbach, Esquire, David K. Foster, PhD, Malinda Clatterbuck, Honorable P. Michael Sturla. Randolph Harris, Moderator.
2:00 p.m. Jim Sandoe “The Pentagon, Climate Change and War”
3:00 p.m. Rev. B. David Smith “The Problem with Plastics – It’s NOT Fantastic”
