Days Are Shorter; Action Lists Are Longer
Oct 04, 2023
Midcoast autumn: windjammer sunrise; Canada geese; a schooner in Rockland dwarfed by a cruise ship.
Shorter days, school buses, squashes, stacks of firewood. This Camden autumn we’ve also been privy to haze from western fires; a tropical storm (Lee! and Phillippe—on its way); bus loads and bus loads of tourists from cruise ships anchored in Rockland; a drier than normal fall; and record-breaking heat in these first days of October.
The good news is that this fall we’ve also begun climate conversations—around kitchen tables, in the library, on the streets. CamdenCAN launched its fall Camden Climate Talks series at the CPL—you can see the presentation here. The after-talk discussion was robust—with many attendees indicating the lecture had connected the dots—illuminating why climate action is up to every one of us, affecting every corner of our lives. We Camden residents can, and have to—reduce our emissions—as can Camden businesses. And we need to look at emissions in municipal buildings, churches, and schools. We can also redirect our energies to create a more sustainable community—where neighbors help neighbors, food systems are local, and there are emergency plans in place. (Floods? fires? hurricanes?—not so unlikely, anymore—we’ve finally started to talk about these possibilities here in Camden. Do you feel prepared?)
CamdenCAN is dedicated to fostering discussions leading up to the creation of a Camden Climate Action Plan—a community created document in which we prioritize what to do to make Camden climate-change resilient. As we’ve said before, there are LOTS of ways communities can take action. Here’s that link, again to the 72 Community Actions suggested by the state’s Community Resilience Partnership. (The link didn’t work last issue—our apologies.)
Did you know that Camden is one of 14 municipalities in Maine that is a signer of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy? We’ve pledged to do our best to reduce emissions and work on climate change mitigation and adaptation. CamdenCAN’s work is a followup to that pledge as well as much of the work of Camden’s (now defunct) Energy Committee, with help from the Watershed School in the years leading up to 2020. Read the latter’s 2020 summary of work needed here.
Camden Receives Third Community Action Grant (with CamdenCAN)
Other climate news for Camden is its receipt of a Community Action Grant from the Community Resilience Partnership, part of Maine’s Climate Action Plan. Jeremy Martin spoke of this at last night’s SB meeting—he mentioned previous work done by the resiliency project in the creation of the Wood Report (read it here), and his hopes to educate and gather the community on resiliency options. CamdenCAN is thrilled to be working with the Town of Camden on a series of climate panels (see below—Camden Climate Talks) this fall and winter—leading up to workshops and discussions about one aspect of Camden’s climate future—what to do with the public landing.
Future issues of this newsletter will cover more on CamdenCAN, this grant, and why your input matters—we can’t envision a new public landing without considering the impacts of climate change.
And on the statewide level, if you’d like to take the Maine Climate Council’s survey about priorities for state climate action, visit this webpage and scroll down to the survey link.
Your voice matters, locally and statewide.
Upcoming CamdenCAN Events
Thursday, 10/5, 1-2:30 pm, CPL: Camden Climate Conversation Circle. Come join in small group conversations to air thoughts and feelings about living in a time of rapid climate change. These are informal, designed to help us get to know one another and build community resilience.
Thursday, 10/19, 1-2:30 pm, CPL: Camden Climate Conversation Circle (don’t have to have attended previous session). Meet others concerned about climate change; small groups will continue to meet beyond these dates if participants choose to do so. Climate related books, articles, podcasts, and other media may also become subject of conversations.
November 16, 630-8 pm (Thursday). French Conference Room/Camden Town Offices, Camden Climate Talk: “Camden’s Neighbors’ Climate Action: Tales of Hope and Activism from Belfast to Vinalhaven (and Elsewhere!)” Panelists include Islesboro’s Shey Conover; Vinalhaven’s Gabe McPhail; Belfast’s Jon Beal; Rockland’s Julie Hashem; Rockport’s Bill Bow. Moderator: Esperanza Stancioff.
December 7, 6:30 – 8pm at CPL (Thursday). Camden Climate Talk, “Where Does Camden Stand on Climate Action?” Panel including Jeremy Martin, Esperanza Stancioff, as well as past members of Watershed and Camden Energy committees and private citizens who have moved to solar, heat pumps, and EVs. We’ll also review what’s been done to reduce Camden’s greenhouse gas emissions, following up on the town’s commitment as signer of Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.
Volunteers Needed/CamdenCAN Action Options
- Social Media Guru—CamdenCAN needs a techie or two to help us spread the word about CamdenCAN, and perhaps setup and host a website for the group. (Let us know by replying to this email.)
- Election Day Tabling—11/7/23. We need volunteers to greet voters, talk about CamdenCAN, encourage signups for this newsletter, and provide climate action literature for fellow Camden residents. (Let us know by replying to this email.)
- Events Support—we’d like to host an energy tour of neighbors to show off heat pumps and electric car setups. Want to help organize or show off your stuff? (Let us know by replying to this email.)
Other Upcoming Regional Climate Events
10/5, 5 -7 pm, Steel House South, Rockland: Green Happy Hour Presents Local Climate Action: Pathways to Participation. Suggested donation $3-5 to cover drinks and snacks. FMI call (207) 706-9357.
10/8, 2 to 5 pm, The Outback Saloon, Tenant’s Harbor. Event to benefit Port Clyde Firefighters in the wake of the recent wharf fire. When we talk about resiliency, we mean all of us pulling together, hopefully to prevent climate emergencies. But when tragedy strikes, we pull together. Help our neighbors in Port Clyde—get out to enjoy food and dance.
10/14, 10 am to 3 pm, Harbor Park, Rockland: Electrification Expo—ride in an EV, look at electric boats, learn about Ebikes. Find out more at the website link here. (Rain date October 21.)
10/14 8:30 to 3 pm, Isleboro Community Center. The Islesboro Energy Team (IET) will hold its sixth fall energy conference. The conference theme “Sustainability That Works. Person to Person. One Step At a Time” brings together Islesboro residents and off-islanders to explore and discuss practical solutions as Maine communities face the challenges of climate change. FMI ccc.isles@gmail.com
10/19, Thursday, 7-8:30 pm (doors open at 630 pm), Belfast Boat House. FREE multimedia performance combining live music, imagery, science, and spoken word to explore the impacts of climate change in Waldo County. Presented in collaboration with Halcyon (a local string-quartet), the Waldo County Conservation Initiative, and ecologist, Janet McMahon, this live concert will stimulate great conversations as we examine climate projections and ideas around increasing ecological and community resilience. No tickets or registration required.
10/28, 11am-3pm: Gear Again Festival Portland. Maine GearShare is hosting this fall festival focused on the outdoor gear and apparel lifecycle. The goal is to show the many opportunities for repair, upcycling, and recycling outdoor gear and apparel with a focus on zero-waste and landfill diversion. Bring your loved gear to be repaired, recycled, consigned, or donated!
Other Climate Morsels
Maine Sierra Club’s October newsletter: read up on many great news catches and action opportunities, including why they are endorsing Pine Tree Power; and have a read of 10 Steps to a Zero-Emissions Home (from the College of the Atlantic). Your choices make an impact.
List of Camden Area Environmental Groups—a nifty list of other groups concerned about water, air, and environmental issues in the area. If your group or business is not listed and you think it should be, let us know. (Thanks to Brian Lightbody for compiling and the Camden Conservation Committee for sharing.)
Concluding Thoughts
As our earth spins on its axis and tilts away from the sun we’ve got the chance to redouble our efforts to mitigate climate change in Camden. There’s good news in the ways our neighbors are embracing heat pumps and fuel-free vehicles.
Yet climate resilience doesn’t need to be about buying things. It can be about doubling down on things that matter: reconnecting with your neighbors; walking to complete that errand; talking deeply about climate change anxiety and using that fuel to imagine a quiet, fume-free future. Or to imagine a green public landing, free of vehicles!
Climate work might just be the most creative way we can spend the upcoming shorter days. A year from now can Camden be less a place of climate dread and more a place of building new ways to use the our planet’s limited resources? We CAN create Camden’s future. Together.
