We humans, and the rest of the planet, exist in a tightly bound web of interconnections. These intersections are both our solution/salvation—it will take each and everyone of us working together to create a better world—and paradoxically it’s also these tightly bound systems that are also causing the challenging conditions—droughts, wildfires, heat waves, human migrations, extreme weather, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, etc.— of our our current climate-changed world. If you’d like to get a better understanding of these interconnections, meet other curious and engaged Midcoast residents, and find ways to not only remain resilient during the upcoming decades, CamdenCAN would like to invite you to join us for our Fall 2025 Resilient Reading Group.
The reading group will me Tuesday afternoons at Camden Public Library, from 4-5 pm. Dates are 9/23, 10/7, 10/28, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9, 12/23, 1/13/26, 1/27/26. May include a zoom component if desired. If you have questions or would like to preregister, email camdencan2025@gmail.com.
Our first book will be Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet/Kate Marvel. Marvel is a climate scientist who conveys her deep understanding of the climate systems with elegance, humility, and humor. Her chapters include Wonder, Anger, Guilt, Fear, Grief, Pride, and Hope. Marvel is our guide and our coach. She writes, “It will not be easy. A happy ending is not guaranteed. But a better one is possible…No one is coming to save us. We have to create the we have to create the world in which we want to live. …Science sets the limits; we write the story. It can be a hopeful one.” We expect this book to carry us for five, 1-hour sessions. There will be weekly readings and prepared discussion questions, yet also room for the group to vary the pace and topics depending on personal interests.
The second book in CamdenCAN’s Fall/Winter reading series will be Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart/Brian D. McLaren. Far from an apocalyptic nightmare, this work, written by a former English professor and pastor, offers a life-affirming approach to living in difficult times. “Life After Doom is for everyone who has reached a point where not facing their unpeaceful, uneasy, unwanted feelings about the future has become more draining than facing them. It’s for anyone who understands that we’ve entered a dangerous time and we need to prepare ourselves to face that danger with wisdom, courage, character, and compassion.”