Governor Launches Climate Science Advisory Panel

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BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched a Climate Science Advisory Panel through the new Massachusetts Office of Climate Science (OCS) to provide expertise on statewide climate science and future projections used to inform state and local climate adaptation planning and projects. 

The Panel is comprised of experts within Massachusetts and across the region who will advise OCS on the latest advances and applications in climate science related to hazards such as extreme heat, flooding, sea level rise, and health impacts to inform the state's climate adaptation and resilience strategy.  

"Our policies and programs must be guided by the latest data and cutting-edge science to better serve and protect our most vulnerable communities against climate change," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "We’re building out our capacity across agencies to ensure we’re using the best information to inform our policymakers and community partners. We’ll be guided by some of the top academics in the region through this panel."  

Launched in October 2023, OCS was established within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs as part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s ResilientMass Plan. OCS supports agencies, municipalities, and the public in understanding, accessing, and appropriately utilizing the state’s climate change data in planning, policy, and projects. The Climate Science Advisory Panel will provide critical guidance and understanding of climate research findings to support our communities in adapting to a changing climate. Panelists will guide the development of the State of the Climate Science Report that will inform the Commonwealth’s strategy for updating climate projections to incorporate the latest science and ensure projections are designed to serve the needs of priority populations as well as key adaptation sectors.   

Climate Science Advisory Panelists 

C. Adam Schlosser, PhD

Senior Research Scientist in the Center for Global Change Science, MIT 

 

Dan Li, PhD 

Associate Professor of Earth & Environment, Boston University 

 

David Boutt, PhD 

Associate Professor of Geosciences, Co-Director of Environmental Science Program, UMass Amherst 

 

Elizabeth Sawin, PhD 

Founder and Director, Multisolving Institute 

 

Erin Coughlan de Perez, PhD 

Research Director and Dignitas Professor, Tufts University 

Senior Advisor, Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre 

 

Gaurab Basu, MD, MPH 

Director of Education and Policy at Center for Climate Health and the Global Environment, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health 

 

Jayne Knott, PhD 

Principal and Senior Scientist, JFK Environmental Services 

 

Jon Woodruff, PhD 

Professor of Earth, Geographic & Climate Sciences, Co-Director of Northeast Climate Adaptation Center, UMass Amherst/NECASC 

 

Klaus Keller, PhD 

Hodgson Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Dartmouth College 

 

Lucy Hutyra, PhD 

Professor of Earth & Environment, 2023 MacArthur Fellow, Boston University 

 

 

M. Patricia Fabian, ScD 

Associate Professor of the Department of Environmental Health, Associate Director at the Institute for Global Sustainability, Boston University 

 

 

Mathew Barlow, PhD 

Professor of Climate Science, UMass Lowell 

 

Michael Iacono, MS 

Chief Scientist, Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center  

Senior Staff Scientist, Verisk - Atmospheric and Environmental Research 

 

Paul Kirshen, PhD 

Professor of Climate Adaptation, Research Director of the Stone Living Lab, UMass Boston 

 

Radley Horton, PhD 

Professor, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University 

 

Robert DeConto, PhD 

Professor of Earth, Geographic and Climate Sciences, Director of School of Earth & Sustainability, UMass Amherst/NECASC 

 

Robert Kopp, PhD 

Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Director of the Megalopolitan Coastal Transformation Hub, Co-Director of the University Office of Climate Action, Rutgers University 

 

Sarah Das, PhD 

Associate Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 

 

Stacey Archfield, PhD 

Research Hydrologist, U.S Geological Survey 

 

Susanne Moser, PhD 

Director and Principal Researcher, Susanne Moser Research & Consulting 

 

Upmanu Lall, PhD 

Global Futures Professor in the School of Complex Adaptive Systems, Director of the Water Institute, Arizona State University 

 

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Friday Front Porch: Luxurious Lakefront Property

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a lakefront estate to spend your days? Then this might be the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 140 Hancock Road.

This house was built in 2015 and has eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It is 6,986 square feet on a little over an acre. 

The house sits on Pontoosuc Lake and includes private lake access and a pool with an expansive deck. 

The kitchen is equipped with Wolf and SubZero appliances and there is a full outdoor kitchen as well. The property has three additional separated living quarters, each with a kitchen and its own living room. 

The house also includes a big garage for multiple cars or more.

It is on the market for $4,900,000.

We spoke with Elisha Poirier from Stone House Properties LLC, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

What truly sets this property apart is the incredible scale combined with its premier lakefront setting. With over 7,400 square feet of space, eight bedrooms, multiple independent living quarters, and extensive garage capacity, it offers a level of versatility that is very rare in the Berkshires. The sweeping views of Pontoosuc Lake and Mount Greylock, along with private lake access, a pool, and exceptional indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, create a lifestyle that feels more like a private resort than a traditional home.

What was your first impression when you walked into this home?

My first impression was the sense of openness and how immediately your eye is drawn to the water. The layout was clearly designed to highlight the views, and the natural light combined with the scale of the space makes the home feel both grand and welcoming at the same time.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?

The atmosphere is both luxurious and relaxed. It has the presence and amenities of a high-end estate, but the lakefront setting and thoughtfully designed living spaces make it feel comfortable and inviting. It's a home that works just as well for quiet mornings by the water as it does for hosting large gatherings.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for?

This home would be ideal for someone who loves to entertain and host family and friends, or for a multi-generational family looking for both shared space and private living areas. It could also appeal to someone looking for a true retreat in the Berkshires, whether as a primary residence or a luxury getaway.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

It's easy to picture spending your mornings looking out over the lake, afternoons enjoying the pool or taking the boat out from your private dock, and evenings gathered around the outdoor kitchen or fire pit with friends and family. The property is designed so that everyday life feels like a vacation.

What do the current owners love most about this home?

What they love most is the incredible connection to the lake and the views. The property offers privacy while still feeling open to the natural beauty around it. They've also enjoyed the ability to host large gatherings while still offering guests their own comfortable and private spaces.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

Some of the standout features include the chef's kitchen with high-end Wolf and SubZero appliances, multiple private living quarters with their own kitchens and entrances, and expansive outdoor entertaining areas with a built-in kitchen, pool, and fire pit. The home also includes a whole-house audio system, five laundry units, and premium Pella iron-clad windows and doors, all thoughtfully designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind. The property is insulated with spray foam throughout, maximizing energy efficiency while also providing superior protection from the strong winds often experienced on the lake.

You can find out more about this home on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

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