PETER ARPIN is the executive vice president of Arpin Group Inc. and president and co-founder of Renewable Now Network. Arpin Group, a West Warwick-based household goods transportation and international forwarding company, recently received the Eco-Educator Award during the “Paris to Pittsburgh to New England” community-action event held at the New England Institute of Technology. The award recognizes individuals and organizations who advocate, promote or administer environmental education and awareness. The event featured a panel discussion on climate change and a screening of the film “Paris to Pittsburgh.”
What does this award mean to you and your work to address climate change? For Arpin, it validates that our efforts are making a difference and that we are an example that the moving industry can embrace sustainability and green initiatives for addressing climate change.
What topics were discussed during the “Paris to Pittsburgh to New England” event recently? The topics ranged from the impact that the agricultural sector has on climate change to the U.S. Navy’s efforts to address it as a national security threat. It was a very diverse forum, which let us understand that climate change is touching all aspects of our lives. We explored what it means to a coastal city, such as Newport, and how it is preparing for rising sea levels. We also spoke about what impact climate change will have on minority groups and vulnerable populations who don’t have the resources to adapt.
What needs to be addressed for climate change to get under control? Getting climate change under control first requires people, companies and governments to accept that it is happening. From there, it will take a combination of education, incentives and regulation that will help us work together and move us in the right direction. However, the more we can show that a sustainable lifestyle is good for the environment, the economy and the overall quality of life, the less you will need regulation to make people embrace positive change.
What will it take for everyone to come together to fully take climate change seriously? I hope it doesn’t take a major environmental catastrophe to get everyone to take climate change seriously because if that happens, it may be too late. While it may not be possible to get everyone to come together, I think we can reach the majority through continued public awareness and education.