PRESS COVERAGE of our May 26 panel discussion on national security, energy and climate change:

MAY 27, 2010

Portsmouth Herald

PORTSMOUTH — Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Dennis McGinn spoke blunt words about the connections between national security and climate change to a group of about 70 people Wednesday night at the Portsmouth Public Library.

"We have had a really, really fine run with fossil fuel. It's been good to us, but it's time to re-evaluate its costs and risks," he said. "People hope things won't change, but I don't think hope is a good strategy for this country."

McGinn was joined by Jim Kesseli, president of Hampton-based Brayton Energy; former Army Capt. Michael Breen, who grew up in the Portsmouth area; and Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate.

Cuttino and McGinn, usually joined by former Virginia Sen. John Warner, have been crisscrossing the country to talk about the connection between climate change and national security. Warner was unable to attend Wednesday night. Local residents join at each stop.

McGinn said he is convinced that Americans are indirectly responsible for funding terrorism every time they put gas in their cars.

In 2008, he said, the United States spent $350 billion to buy foreign oil.

"Some of that money finds its way to hostile regimes. We don't buy directly from Iran, OK, but somebody does," he said. "Some of the money Iran takes in finds its way into al-Qaida. That's how we are indirectly funding both sides of the war on terror."

McGinn is one of a group of 40 retired officers from all branches of the military who are on the military advisory board for the Pew Project. He said it's clear to him and others on the board that it is past time for the United States to develop a comprehensive climate policy.

"In 2008, we saw the volatility of oil going from $40 to $140 a barrel. I will guarantee that the direction of oil is going north. It's going to become more expensive," he said. "Business as usual for America is not a viable option. We can continue, but if we do, we will find our backs against the wall and with fewer options, and each one being more expensive in dollars and lives."

But he said that future can be forestalled with some forward thinking now. America, he said, has always been an entrepreneurial country, and "we have a tremendous opportunity if we deal with these challenges in the right way. We have an ability to go to clean energy technology" now that can bring good jobs and economic prosperity."

Kesseli agreed, saying his company of 35 engineers is working on utility-scale solar power and biomass systems, and he had just returned from Washington, where he met with Department of Energy officials.

"But there were about 40 other companies just like mine. There's a lot of entrepreneurs out there. We just need some funding," he said.

Kesseli said he hears people frequently say, "'What else can we do? We have to buy oil.' But that's what keeps us doing what we've always done," he said.

Conservation New Hampshire

(watch video of the event here)

On Wednesday, May 26th, a panel gathered at the Portsmouth Public Library to discuss climate change and energy with local residents. It was not your average group of environmental activists. Rather, attendees were given a sobering look at the cost of America’s addiction to fossil fuels to those at the front lines of defending the lifestyle it permits, by some of those who have been there.

Sponsored by the Pew Project and the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, the Panel on National Security, Energy, and Climate brought their country-wide tour to the Granite State to give a different spin to the argument for energy policy reform. The panel included Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn; Former Army Captain Mike Breen, who grew up on the NH seacoast; Jim Kesseli, President of NH-based alternative energy research and development firm Brayton Energy; and Phyllis Cuttio, Director of Pew’s Climate and Energy Program.

McGinn, one of more than 40 retired military officers on board with the Pew Project, presented a harsh look at America’s precarious energy situation. Based on information collected from numerous Department of Defense and CIA reports and briefs, he portrayed a world growing increasingly unstable in the face of environmental crises and resource shortages. At the same time, McGinn indicated that America’s armed forces could be hindered by these crises and shortages, while coming under growing pressure to provide stability.

Kesseli spoke to his company’s efforts to develop alternative sources of energy. All of the panelists agreed that such efforts must be hastened and redoubled before the threat, in the words of McGinn, “put our backs against the wall.”

Breen put forth the most personal and immediate argument for energy policy reform. Having served in Afghanistan, he explained what he called “the interesting dynamics” of keeping the frontline soldier supplied with fuel necessary for modern combat; dynamics with devastating consequences:

Given these consequences, the panelists urged the audience to get involved in pushing America towards energy independence and beyond fossil fuels. From choices made at home to influencing the choices made in Washington, all agreed that there is much that the average citizen can do to get the nation on a sustainable course. The lives of our service men and women, present and future, depend on it.

For more information the Pew Project, please see their National Security, Energy, and Climate website.

PRESS RELEASE: The World  Affairs Council of New Hampshire Announces the Selection of Four NH Teachers to participate in Study/Travel Tour to Turkey This Summer

May 12, 2010

The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire has chosen four Granite State teachers to participate in a study/travel tour to Turkey this summer. The program is sponsored by the Turkish Council Foundation and is administered by the World Affairs Councils of America.

The New Hampshire teachers have been selected to participate in the two-week tour of Turkey in July as part of a year-long grant to WACNH by the Turkish Cultural Foundation entitled “Portraits of Turkey,” that includes a spring and fall Turkey seminar as well as the travel tour. The spring seminar was help on April 17 and applications were received by teachers who attended the seminar. The teachers selected were Nancy Gagnon from Conval High School in Peterborough, Shannon Fernald and Fay Montelione from Portsmouth High School, and Judy Perry from Moultonborough Academy.

The travel tour runs from July 12 to July 23 and will include stops in Istanbul and three other Turkish cities.

The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire is the only non-profit, non-partisan organization in New Hampshire devoted solely to fostering learning, discussion and citizen involvement in foreign affairs.

PRESS RELEASE: World Affairs Council of New Hampshire names new Executive Director

Anna Haigh

April 29, 2010

The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire - the state's only non-partisan, non-profit organization promoting the understanding of international affairs - recently announced the appointment of Anna Haigh as Executive Director. Haigh replaces Interim Executive Director Herbert Pence.

"I am pleased to welcome Anna Haigh to the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire,” said Kathryn Muirhead, President of the Council. “Her strong background in communications and working knowledge of New Hampshire equip Anna to successfully lead our organization through 2010 and beyond. Together with the Board of Directors,  I look forward to a new vitality at the World Affairs Council with Anna Haigh as our Executive Director.”

Previously, Haigh worked for three years a reporter for the Keene Sentinel newspaper. Most recently, she managed the communications for an environmental non-profit organization in Massachusetts and served as a public and media relations consultant to the Pew Environment Group. In 2008, she had the opportunity to combine her two passions - traveling and service- as a volunteer English teacher in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Haigh has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

"I am honored to join an organization that has been bringing the world to the Granite State for more than 50 years," Haigh said. "Now, more than ever, it's critical that citizens of New Hampshire strive to understand the world around them. I will work to bring quality programming to as many people as possible around the state and to establish a strong foundation for the organization to continue its important work for another half century."

Founded in 1954, the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire promotes learning, discussion, and citizen involvement in world affairs by offering programs on U.S. foreign policy and global issues to its members, students, teachers and the general public. WACNH is one of 90 member councils of the World Affairs Councils of America. The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire is supported primarily through individual and corporate memberships, annual fund donations, special events, and underwriting and grant support from corporations and foundations.

PRESS RELEASE: World Affairs Council of New Hampshire and Red Cross in New Hampshire host international visitors

Photo: Courtesy of the American Red Cross, Concord, N.H.

April 29, 1010

CONCORD, NH– The NH Region of the American Red Cross hosted a meeting of community leaders from Southwest Asian countries on Tuesday. The group of eight representatives from five countries came to Concord as one stop in their three-week tour of community programs at a variety of non-profit organizations in the United States. The community leaders were from humanitarian, educational and relief organizations in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and Pakistan. Red Cross personnel talked with the group about operational management of the American Red Cross; partnerships that support their work in New Hampshire; and ways that the Red Cross participates in international outreach and disaster relief.

The visitors were invited to the United States through the State Department. The local host was the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire (WACNH). The group was in New Hampshire as part of a national program put together by World Learning Visitor Exchange Program, which selected New Hampshire as part of the national itinerary. The program identifies up-and-coming world leaders in foreign countries to participate in these programs in the United States. The visitors meet with local agencies to engage in “citizen diplomacy,”
where average citizens promote a positive image of the United States to high-level foreign officials.

“The mission of NCIV is to build people-to-people relationships, one handshake at a time,” said Tim Horgan, Program Director for the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire.

“These community leaders have given us important perspectives on emergency management and response in their countries,” said Maria White, CEO for the American Red Cross-NH Region. “In turn we had a chance to show them how the American Red Cross is ready to respond to and support anyone in dire need, whether after a single-family house fire in New Hampshire or a multi-country natural disaster affecting thousands.”

The international group continues their tour with visits in Montana and Texas.