2012 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

Sep 24: During the second day of the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting (September 23-25 in NYC), President Bill Clinton announced new commitments made by CGI members this year designed to combat some of the most pressing global challenges. From improving the monitoring and warning of severe weather in Haiti to addressing the problem of under-nutrition in Guatemala, the new CGI commitments unveiled today aim to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.

    President Clinton said, "I am inspired by the dedication and generosity of our CGI members whose commitments touch the lives of millions of people around the world. This year's commitments represent not only a deep respect for humanity but also inspire others to transform their ideas and innovation into substantive global action. I extend my sincerest thanks to all of the leaders from the political, business, and civil sectors for their willingness to choose to create a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive world for all people."

    The day's theme, "Designing Our Environments," highlighted the need to produce holistic approaches for built and natural environments in order to provide healthy sustainable settings worldwide. Over the course of the meeting's second day, CGI members heard from an array of global leaders on the importance of fostering prosperous futures for generations to come through investment in ecosystems, urban centers, and social environments.

    Featured speakers included: Laurent Lamothe, Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti; Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi; Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State U.S. State Department; Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation; Madeleine K. Albright, Former Secretary of State and Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group; Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs; John Chambers, Chairman and CEO of Cisco; Dr. Paul Farmer, Founder of Partners In Health; Randa Grob-Zakhary, CEO of the LEGO Foundation; Nicholas Kristof, Columnist for the New York Times; Andrew Liveris, Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company; Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International; Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia; and Fareed Zakaria, CNN Anchor.

    Among the commitments announced were the Community-Based Solar Power by Solairedirect. In 2012, Solairedirect committed to develop at least 10 megawatts of distributed solar photovoltaic projects in the southwestern United States over the next three years. Solairedirect will identify target communities seeking access to reliable and affordable electricity and will work in conjunction with local government and community stakeholders to develop these projects. Through this commitment, Solairedirect will demonstrate the financial and operational viability of subsidy free, community-based, for-profit solar power generation in the United States.

    Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, CGI convenes a community of global leaders to forge solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date, CGI members have made more than 2,100 Commitments to Action, which are already improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $69.2 billion.

    CGI members connect and collaborate year-round within eight broad and cross-cutting Tracks, each representing a topical global challenge or strategic approach. Each Track contains a number of stand-alone opportunities that bring members together to share knowledge, develop new Commitments to Action, and support work that is already underway.

 

    Of particular interest to WIMS readers the CGI includes: The Built Environment Track which focuses on developing innovative methods for improving the environmental and social efficacy of our infrastructure, shelters, buildings, neighborhoods, and cities through cross-sectoral partnerships and collaboration. CGI members address issues related to the design, sustainability, construction, and management of the built environment, with particular focus on resource consumption, job creation, workforce development, and green schools. Also included: The Energy & Ecosystems Track which explores a wide range of interconnected issues, including the production of sustainable and renewable energy and fuels, the greening of supply chains and production processes, ecosystem services and market-based solutions to environmental management, climate change adaptations, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

    Access the 2nd day release and commitments made (click here). Access the CGI website for a list of speakers, agenda, webcast, sponsors, attendees and more (click here). [#All]

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS (click here)
32 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals