by NNN Contributor Susan Korte

Last Saturday, a community conversation about the future green economy of Rhode Island drew about 100 folks to the New England Institute of Technology to learn, network, and brainstorm. "If we're going to get anything done in the economics of green in Rhode Island, we have to think local and act local," said panelist Joseph Ilaqua, a professor of economics at Bryant University, summing up the idea behind the meeting.

It may not be within our power to change the world, but let's just do what we can right now, right here, in the Ocean State, home to independent thinkers. Maybe we can set an example for the rest of the world.

I recorded many of the speakers and I'm working on posting their remarks on the Greening the RI Economy Web site. You can also find links there to more photos from the event, reports, a poll, and other information that will help Rhode Islanders create green jobs and turn our economy around. A brief video greeting from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who was scheduled to attend the event but had to stay in Washington to deal with the economic crisis, is also posted.

Susan Korte publishes the Providential Gardener Web site and creates the Community Calendar used by NNN. The photo, by Mark Kravatz, shows event organizer Connie McGreavy introducing Providence Mayor David Ciccilline.