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By John Bear, Boulder Daily Camera

President Donald Trump's announcement on Thursday to withdraw the United States from participating in the Paris climate accord is not sitting well with many Boulder-area scientists who say the move will likely have many impacts on the U.S. and the rest of the world — none of them good.

"This is a step backwards," said Mark Serreze, director of Boulder's National Snow and Ice Data Center.

"Our nation should be playing a leadership role in trying to combat climate change," he said. "The premise behind this decision that (the climate accord) is going to a job killer is just false. There is much more opportunity in green technology ... That's where the future lies."

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 As communities grapple with how to create green economies that don't harm the environment, a multidisciplinary team of CU Boulder faculty and staff is focused on including underrepresented groups in that transition.

The team will speak about the topic at a Latino business conference in Longmont, Colorado, on Friday, Oct. 14. BoulderTalks and the Just Transition Collaborative are co-sponsoring “The New Green Economy,” a workshop that will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Plaza Convention Center in Longmont.

The workshop is part of the larger  from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 14. The conference focuses on building connections with government agencies, corporations, nonprofits, small businesses and individuals in the local Hispanic business community. The Latino Chamber of Commerce in Longmont is hosting the free event. Click here to

“The transition to renewable energy will be a catalyst for new jobs and businesses in Boulder County and throughout Colorado,” said Manuela Sifuentes, a workshop speaker who is a member of the CU Boulder-based Just Transition Collaborative and executive director of the Latino Task Force of Boulder County.

“This workshop is an opportunity to strengthen dialogue about how the Latino community can be a leader in this transition and benefit from the jobs and economic opportunities that it brings,” she said.

Other workshop speakers include Tiara Na'puti, a CU Boulder assistant professor of communication and David Ciplet, who is part of the Just Transition Collaborative and a CU Boulder assistant professor of environmental studies.

is a center at CU Boulder that fosters community and knowledge through democratic engagement. The was created at CU Boulder this fall with support from a CU Boulder Outreach Award to work closely with local communities to ensure a socially just transition to affordable and clean energy.

The first part of the CU Boulder workshop will include presentations on market and job trends related to energy, including solar power, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, landscaping and ways local business owners and workers can take advantage of these changes.

For the second half of the workshop, focus groups will discuss how green business and employment can be a barrier and an opportunity for Latinos, and how to leverage investments, grants and networking opportunities.

For more information, contact:

• Tiara Na'puti, Assistant Professor of Communication, tiara.naputi@colorado.edu
• Manuela Sifuentes, Just Transition Collaborative, Executive Director of the Latino Task Force of Boulder County, msifuentes@latinotaskforce.org
• David Ciplet, Just Transition Collaborative, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, david.ciplet@colorado.edu

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By Charlie Brennan, Daily Camera Staff Writer

The University of Colorado is hosting a statewide discussion Monday called the Colorado Power Dialogue on campus and online, concerning Colorado's energy future, featuring a panel of energy and environmental experts from across the state.

The event, free and open to the public, is one of more than 30 around the country, in which about 10,000 students will participate in face-to-face dialogue with energy leaders to talk about what's needed for an energy transition and sustainable climate.

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