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Claudia Perez said that MUM gave her all the tools to understand the importance of taking into account all areas of sustainability.
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by Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, The Review
18 December 2014
Recent Sustainable Living graduate at Maharishi University of Management Claudia Perez gave a presentation in Puerto Rico earlier this month all expenses paid, thanks to her senior thesis project winning a competition sponsored by the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE).
Earlier this year Ms. Perez completed her senior project in which she advocated for renewable energy in her native Puerto Rico. Part of the project was to submit a proposal to ACORE's Renewable Energy Youth Ambassador Program.
Following a lengthy application and review process, ACORE selected her project proposal, which was titled "Promoting Renewable Energy in Puerto Rico" and which focused on scaling up renewable energy, in particular solar energy, in Puerto Rico.
Ms. Perez was invited, all expenses paid, to attend ACORE's Renewable Energy Latin American & Caribbean Conference & Exhibition, November 20–21 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
"Only one percent of the electricity in Puerto Rico is coming from renewable resources, so there is yet a big market that has great potential of growth," Ms. Perez said. "The high prices of imported coal and oil to generate electricity is causing distress politically, economically, and socially in the island."
She said that MUM gave her all the tools to understand the importance of taking into account all areas of sustainability.
"I wanted to create and promote a series of solutions that would have a positive ripple effect in all the areas: economy, environment, water (due to the water energy connection), and society as a whole."
She presented her project proposal to conference attendees, who represented top policy makers, investors, technology developers, and other experts in the renewable energy field throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S.
A special breakfast session the first morning of the conference was convened which highlighted her and other Renewable Energy Youth Ambassadors. She also shared her proposal in the exhibition hall of the conference.
"Claudia's senior project was to draw up plans for Puerto Rico to move from its current disastrous energy policy into renewables," said professor John Collins. "Ever since she put her attention on the issue, events on the island have started to move in a positive direction. She's a powerful speaker, and I believe she made a big impact at the conference."
© Copyright 2014 Maharishi University of Management
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