Global Citizens Club Community Meeting
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Belmont El Encanto Hotel
SANTA BARBARA, California – The future of the stranded oil derricks off of the Santa Barbara coastline will be the subject of a community meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Belmond El Encanto Hotel & Spa.
“Designing Dreams from Derricks” is the theme of the Global Citizen’s Club meeting, which will run from 5 to 7 p.m. The ocean-view Belmond El Encanto is located in the hills of Santa Barbara, at 800 Alvarado Place.
The meeting will feature a keynote panel of experts looking at the derricks’ futures from all perspectives, including those of local fishers, entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, and academic researchers.
With the decommissioning process of the derricks underway, it’s important for everyone to understand the potential benefits and risks of repurposing these assets. Repurposed, they can support renewable energy resources (i.e. offshore wind, and eventually wave, energy) and eco-tourism activities while also promoting the natural growth of marine life reliant on the rig’s lattice “reef” infrastructure. Of course, there also is money and risk to consider; any future revenue streams flowing to and from the platforms, the costs of removing and remediating oil pumping equipment, and long-term maintenance and liability must be factored into any plan.
At the meeting Wednesday, the panel will tackle the basic question, “Can we engage an old adversary to transform this historical liability into a long-term asset?”
Panel members will include Milton Love, Ph.D., a researcher at UC Santa Barbara who recently co-authored a published paper on the marine biodiversity at the base of the oil platforms; Claire Gonzales, chief marine scientist at Blue Latitudes whose work is focused on the rigs-to-reefs concepts around the world; Kim Selkoe, who is the Executive Director of Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara; and a representative from the California State Lands Commission.
The Global Citizen’s Club was formed by the World Business Academy, a Santa Barbara-based think tank devoted to addressing climate change and advocating for sustainable energy use by working to elevate the consciousness of people in the business community.
Driven by the saying “think globally, act locally,” the Global Citizen’s Club engages local citizens through regular stakeholder meetings and panels addressing the most crucial social, economic and environmental issues faced by Santa Barbara today.
This meeting is part of the 2019 series on “Greening our Infrastructure.” All are welcome, and attendance is free, but advance reservations are required. Visit eventbrite.com to RSVP. (It’s listed under “Designing Dreams from Derricks.”)
Moderated by Rinaldo Brutoco, President and Founder, the World Business Academy
Featured Panelists:
Claire Gonzales, Chief Marine Scientist – Blue Latitudes
Milton Love, Ph.D. – Marine Ecology Researcher, UCSB
Kim Selkoe, Ph.D. – Executive Dir. Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara
Jennifer Lucchesi – Executive Officer, State Lands Commission or
Seth Blackmon – Attorney, State Lands Commission
DETAILS:
5:00 – 5:30 – Meet & Greet (incl. cash bar and passed apps)
5:30 – 6:30 – Panel Presentations (Panelists to be announced soon)
6:30 – 7:00 – Q&A Discussion
PARKING:
Available at the hotel, or at the World Business Academy’s offices at Riviera Park across the street.
Come join us and be part of the solution!
Space is limited, reserve your spot today! Attendance is free but reservations are required.
Eventbrite link to RSVP or Email: [email protected]
