PROVIDENCE, RI –Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced that Providence’s Director of Sustainability, Leah Bamberger, has been selected by the U.S. State Department as a featured speaker in a climate resilience tour beginning next week. The U.S. Speaker Program on Climate Resilient Cities in India is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) and will focus on practical ways to mitigate the effects of climate change as India moves to implement its Paris Agreement commitments.
“Climate change is a global issue and without collective action it could lead to catastrophic impacts” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “Providence is fortunate to have great expertise on this issue thanks to Director Bamberger. Through her participation in the tour we will gain understanding of the full scope of climate change and our role in addressing it locally.”
Director Bamberger will be traveling to at least three cities in India meeting with think-tanks, government officials, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, activists, business leaders, youth and media. Topics addressed will include urban planning and sustainability, air quality, water management and disaster preparedness. Additionally, the program will help raise public awareness in India, as well as coordinate efforts to build consensus among key stakeholders to address these challenges.
“It is an immense honor to have been selected for this role and to have the opportunity to support and develop urban resilience strategies overseas,” said Leah Bamberger, Director of Sustainability. “I anticipate I will learn just as much, if not more, from the frontline communities in India than I am able to share with them in return. This experience is sure to heighten my awareness of the urgency and severity of global climate change and I look forward to sharing this experience with Providence in support our local efforts upon my return.”
All costs related to the trip are covered by the U.S. State Department.