On November 3, 2022, 300 students, local decision makers, and Berks County community members gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Reading to celebrate Berks Nature’s 14th Annual State of the Environment Breakfast. All were invigorated by the powerful statistics and candor of Lauren Casey, meteorologist with Climate Central, who shared insights into the science behind extreme weather and the impact these forces have on our nation today and into the future.
Already the United States and the Commonwealth are experiencing the striking and at times devastating impacts of the global climate crisis; from unprecedented flooding, massive wildfires, drought, and historic storms, extreme weather events are on the rise. Here in Berks County too we are reckoning with hotter temperatures and more severe storms.
Despite the severity of the climate crisis and its local manifestations, the energy in the ballroom at the DoubleTree was not one of defeat, but one of action. This morning, the Berks County community demonstrated exceptional unity, focus, and vigor – a readiness to turn local action into global impact.
Lauren Casey has been an on-air meteorologist since 2006 most recently working at CBS-3 in Philadelphia for the past 6 years. Now a meteorologist with Climate Central, Lauren communicates climate change science, effects, and solutions to the public.
In addition to Lauren Casey’s enlightening presentation, this year’s State of the Environment Breakfast also included remarks from Berks Nature’s President, Kim Murphy. All attendees enjoyed access to a breakfast buffet and left the event with a both copy of this year’s State of the Environment publication – a brochure detailing extreme weather trends in Pennsylvania and Berks County – and a free giveaway gift.
