The 2025 Long Island Youth Climate Summit

Edward P. Romaine began his term as Suffolk County Executive on January 1, 2024. Mr. Romaine began his career as a history teacher in the Hauppauge School District, where he taught for 10 years. In 1980, he entered public service as the Town of Brookhaven’s first Commissioner of Housing and Community Development and was later appointed Director of Economic Development. He served as a member of the Suffolk County Legislature, from 1986 through 1989, when he was elected as county clerk, remaining in that office until returning to the Legislature in 2005. Before being elected County Executive, he served as Brookhaven Town Supervisor for 12 years.

Ed Romaine earned a B.A. in History from Adelphi University and an M.A. in History from Long Island University. He resides in Center Moriches, New York with his wife, Diane. 

Albert J. Krupski, Jr. was elected Southold Town Supervisor for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2024. Al and his wife Mary run Krupski’s Pumpkin Farm, welcoming the sixth generation of family farmers with the birth of nine grandchildren over the last few years.

Al served on Southold Town Trustees and the Southold Town Board. In his 36 years of public service, Al has established a strong record of environmental protection, and he continues to work across party lines to preserve the East End for future generations. Born and raised on the North Fork, Al received a BS in Plant Science from the University of Delaware, and after graduation, came home and worked on the family farm, eventually taking it over.

Al has a long history of public service, first being elected to the Southold Town Board of Trustees in 1985. He served for 20 years, the last 14 of which as Trustee President. During his tenure as president, he saw that the overdevelopment of Southold’s shoreline had adverse effects on the environment and quality of life, so he successfully spearheaded the effort to rewrite the town’s 30-year-old Wetlands Code, affording the Town better environmental and legal protection.

After two decades of service as a Trustee, Al successfully ran for Town Board, when he worked on and supported a town wide drainage code, which reduced road runoff into creeks and estuaries while meeting New York State mandated requirements. He was instrumental in enacting “Big Box Store” legislation which limited the size of stores in Southold and protected small business owners. Al was closely involved in developing Southold’s first Wind Energy Code and the Town’s Cellular Tower Law.

In addition, Al played a significant role in initiating the Southold’s Comprehensive Plan and he was the most ardent proponent of rezoning Plum Island so it would not be developed with residential housing, golf course or casinos, but would be preserved with over 600 acres of open space and habitat while retaining the ability for research to be conducted on the island. Al has a strong record of bipartisan leadership. As a Southold Town Board member, he was asked by his colleagues from both parties to serve as Deputy Supervisor.

During his tenure in the Suffolk County Legislature, Al has sponsored legislation which led to the preservation of hundreds of acres of farmland and open space. Since the inception of Suffolk County’s Septic Improvement Program, a less expensive alternative to sewer systems, Al has advocated for their use and from the onset, has been actively involved in the long process of implementing the use of alternative, nitrogen-removing septic systems. Over the years, Al served on the Operating Budget Working Group, and the Capital Budget Working Group (chair), where he strived to keep property taxes stable while continuing to provide essential services to the residents of Suffolk County.

New York State Senator Monica R. Martinez has dedicated her career to protecting the vulnerable and advocating for a sustainable future. As a leading voice in environmental conservation, she has championed legislation such as the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, which was approved by voters this past November and is expected to generate $3 to $4 billion to improve Long Island’s ground and surface waters. Senator Martinez also continues to advocate for funding key investments in Long Island’s environment, including on clean water initiatives, the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve, and other green infrastructure projects.

Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright has served as an elected official for 40 years - first as a Suffolk County Legislator and then as a New York State Assemblyman for three decades. In 2024, he returned to the County Legislature.

His notable achievements include leading the fight to oppose the opening of the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plan and spearheading the county’s open space program. As an Assemblyman, he introduced the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act of 1993 and the Pesticide Use Reporting Act of 1996, which advanced studies of the possible link between pesticides and breast and other cancers. He sponsored the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in 2019 to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions. Before he left the Assembly in 2022, he successfully pushed to place before voters the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act to address climate change.

Rebecca Sanin is the Suffolk County Legislator representing the 16th District, advocating for environmental protection, sustainability, and public health. Serving on the Legislature’s Environment, Parks, and Agriculture Committee, she works diligently to preserve Long Island’s natural resources. A lifelong Long Islander, she partners with schools, nonprofits, and community groups to draw down resources for environmental sustainability and related initiatives. Before taking office, she led the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, addressing regional challenges through policy and advocacy. A Fordham Law graduate and Stein Scholar, she is committed to creating a cleaner, greener future for the next generation.

Cate Rogers is a councilmember and Deputy Supervisor for the Town of East Hampton. She is Climate Reality Leader and mentor for The Climate Reality Project, She is a co-founder of Win With Wind. She is currently the town board liaison to the South Fork Wind Project , Ditch Plains Dune Restoration Project, Zoning Codes Amendment Workgroup, land use departments, Sustainability Committee, Litter Action Committee, and the Waterfront Advisory Committee. Cate is committed to the principles of sustainability and to the transition to renewable energy and strongly believes in the power of Youth Advocacy in shaping the future.