Speakers

Neils Lund - info@sbeco.org ; www.sbeco.org 

Niels Lund is a Past President of Solana Beach Eco Club and is passionate about the environment, and in helping our community thrive. Through his 20 years of Rotary commitment, Niels has helped communities abroad and locally. He is now dedicated to educating and bringing awareness about solutions to the climate crisis.  As Rotarians we have the unique opportunity to take action to help our communities adapt to the changing climate, and implement solutions to reduce the impact of climate change. This Climate Reality Presentation addresses the following three questions related to the climate crisis:

*Should we change? What proof points are there that this is a real issue? 

*Can we change? Do we have the tools, technology and time to change? 

*What can we do as Rotarians to implement Climate Solutions?

A native of Indianapolis, Ben Conarroe is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington.  He served as a campus staff member for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Ohio for seven years, and since 1994 has worked alongside The Navigators US Military Ministry in Hawaii and San Diego.  He has led Christian studies in the Navy brig at MCAS Miramar since 1998.

From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Conarroe was part-time Executive Director of the Restorative Justice Mediation Program in San Diego, a Victim-Offender Reconciliation Program. 

In 2013, Mr. Conarroe pioneered the PRO Mentors Christian Reentry Program in the San Diego County jails.  This unique program connects male inmates with a Christian mentor while the inmate (or “PRO”) is still in custody.  The mentor continues to meet with the PRO after release, to help enfold back into the community.  Beginning with just six inmates in one class at East Mesa Reentry Facility (EMRF) in January 2013, the program now has two classes at EMRF and one class at the Vista jail.  Over 400 inmates have attended the classes, and over 100 have been involved after release.