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Following in the wake of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita before it, the Deepwater Horizon oil catastrophe beginning in April 2010 exposed the vulnerability of the Gulf Coast environment and economy to natural and man-made disasters—alongside the incredible resilience and determination of its residents as they fought to recover from yet another setback. The federal government took notice. President Barack Obama launched the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, including leaders like task force executive director John Hankinson, White House Domestic Policy Council chair Melody Barnes and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Dr. Jane Lubchenco who will join us, along with a group of Gulf Coast business, conservation and nonprofit leaders, for a conversation about the opportunities and challenges towards restoring the coast, sparking innovation, creating jobs, and protecting communities.
Oxfam America and CAP will also release a report analyzing the vulnerability of the economy and ecology of the Gulf region as both a challenge and an opportunity. The report provides recommendations for a regional ecosystem restoration plan to help coastal communities recover their past strength, promote the growth of new industries, and build a foundation for a new economic future.
Opening remarks:
Kate Gordon, Vice President for Energy Policy, Center for American Progress
Paul O’Brien, Vice President of Policy and Campaigns, Oxfam America
Keynote speaker:
John Hankinson, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
Panel I: Restoring America’s Gulf Coast: The Challenges and Opportunities
Rev. Tyronne Edwards, Founder, Zion Travelers Cooperative Center
Ajulo Othow, Deputy Director, US Regional Office, Oxfam America
Scott Kirkpatrick, President, Coast Builders Coalition
Dennis Takahashi-Kelso, Executive Vice President, Ocean Conservancy
Moderated by:
Bracken Hendricks, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Keynote speaker:
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Panel II: Regional Recovery Through Economic, Environmental, and Social Innovation
Patrick Barnes, President, BFA Environmental and Founder, Limitless Vistas
Robin Barnes, Executive Vice President, Greater New Orleans, Inc.
David Gauthe, Program Director, Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing
Van Jones, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Anne Peek, Assistant Director, Project Directorate, NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
Moderated by:
Paul O’Brien, Vice President of Policy and Campaigns, Oxfam America
Keynote Speaker:
Melody Barnes, Chair, White House Domestic Policy Council
Introduced by:
John Podesta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for American Progress
Closing Remarks:
Jeffrey Buchanan, Senior Domestic Policy Advisor, Oxfam America
To read Under Secretary Lubchenco’s full remarks click here.
To read Melody Barnes’ full remarks click here.