The Northeast Risk & Resilience Leadership Forum will convene in Stamford, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, to explore challenges facing the Northeast in the context of a post-Sandy era.
Ultimately, collaboration is key in making communities safer through best practices in resiliency, better construction standards, improvements to infrastructure systems, greater understanding of the science of severe weather and the risks it poses, and increased awareness of the importance of natural ecosystems such as sand dunes and wetlands and their role in protecting against storm surge.
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy will provide a keynote address at the event, which will be held at the Stamford Marriott Hotel, 243 Tresser Blvd. Mr. Murphy is a member of Congress’ Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change where he is pushing for strong and proactive environmental policies that combat climate change, curb pollution, invest in renewable energy, and promote sustainable development solutions.
Approximately 300 policy makers, environmentalists, scientists and insurance industry leaders will take part in the day-long forum that is sponsored by the RenaissanceRe Risk Sciences Foundation. Event co-sponsors include WeatherPredict Consulting, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH), the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), the Union of Concerned Scientists and the University of Connecticut Sea Grant program.
Alice C. Hill, senior advisor for preparedness and resilience to the assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism will provide an opening keynote address. Ms. Hill serves on the National Security Council Staff at the White House.
Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, will provide a keynote luncheon address.
Delegates will explore key topics through five panel discussions that include:
•Understanding the Science Behind Sandy
•The Changing View of Risk in the Northeast
•Lessons Learned from Sandy
•The Role of Government in Major Disasters
•Integrated Resiliency in Urban Areas
More information about the Northeast Risk & Resilience Leadership Forum is available at mitigationleadership.com.