On November 3, 300 students, local decision makers, and Berks County community members gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Reading to celebrate Berks Nature’s 14th Annual State of the Environment Breakfast.

All were invigorated by the powerful statistics and candor of Lauren Casey, meteorologist with Climate Central, who shared insights into the science behind extreme weather and the impact these forces have on our nation today and into the future.

Already the United States and the Commonwealth are experiencing the striking and at times devastating impacts of the global climate crisis; from unprecedented flooding, massive wildfires, drought, and historic storms, extreme weather events are on the rise.

Here in Berks County too we are reckoning with hotter temperatures and more severe storms.

Despite the severity of the climate crisis and its local manifestations, the energy in the ballroom at the DoubleTree was not one of defeat, but one of action. At the breakfast, the Berks County community demonstrated exceptional unity, focus, and vigor – a readiness to turn local action into global impact. 

Lauren Casey has been an on-air meteorologist since 2006 most recently working at CBS-3 in Philadelphia for the past 6 years. Now a meteorologist with Climate Central, Lauren communicates climate change science, effects, and solutions to the public.

In addition to Lauren Casey’s enlightening presentation, this year’s State of the Environment Breakfast also included remarks from Berks Nature’s President, Kim Murphy.

All attendees enjoyed access to a breakfast buffet and left the event with a both copy of this year’s State of the Environment publication – a brochure detailing extreme weather trends in Pennsylvania and Berks County – and a free giveaway gift.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Berks Nature website.  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  Also follow the Berks Nature Ambassadors Facebook page.

Since 1974, Berks Nature has been involved in land preservation, water protection, trail management, community gardens, education programs, State of the Environment, Eco-Camp and our valued partnerships that help connect people to nature and maintain the natural beauty of Berks County.

(Photos: Lauren Casey of Climate Central and Kim Murphy, President of Berks Nature. )

Related Articles:

-- Guest Essay: Summer Of 2022 Gave Us A Glimpse Into Our Climate Future - PA Should Heed The Warning, Flooding Biggest Threat - By Laura Fowler, Director, Penn State's Sustainability Institute  [PaEN]

-- Open Space Institute's Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund Now Accepting Proposals To Protect Forests For Carbon Sequestration, Wildlife Habitat, Other Benefits  [PaEN]

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh-Based CEOs For Sustainability Issue Call To Action On Decarbonization

[Posted: November 3, 2022]

11/7/2022