Join Thursday’s Climate Conversation Circle 1 PM, CPL
Dec 19, 2023
It’s been a wild week of rain and wind. And now, colder and longer days. Join us Thursday, December 21 from 1-2:30 pm for our biweekly Climate Conversation Circle at the Camden Public Library as a way to celebrate the return of the light. And meet others with climate on their minds (and hearts!)
CamdenCAN Videos
If you missed our “Where Does Camden Stand on Climate Action?” Camden Talks Climate panel, listen to it here. You’ll be inspired and entertained, especially by Public Works Director Dave St. Laurent and his humorous retelling of the townspeople who complain about puddles in their yards. “Let me tell you,” says St. Laurent, “everyone’s got puddles in their yards.”
His review of the costs of the warmed-climate intense storms—to our town funds and infrastructure—is sobering.
You can also catch the 11/16/23 panel “Where Do Camden’s Neighbors Stand On Climate Action?” here. We’ve got a lot to learn from each other. (The panel starts at 8 minutes.)
And if you missed September’s “Camden, the Climate Crisis, and You” you can listen here.
2024 Camden Talks Climate Previews
CamdenCAN will host more Camden Talks Climate panels in 2024. Here’s a preview:
- 1/11/2024, 630-730 pm, Camden Public Library, Parker Gassett, “Achieving Climate Resilience in Coastal Communities.” Parker Gassett, a Camden resident and representative of UMaine, will provide an overview of available resources to enhance Camden’s understanding of and preparedness for climate change. Gassett will introduce the Community Resilience Workbook, which documents climate resilience initiatives in Maine and provides the tools and resources to help facilitate community climate action. He will also provide information on the newly established Maine Climate Science Information Exchange office.Participants will learn how climate change challenges are being addressed statewide and have the opportunity to express their priorities and feedback to the Community Resilience Working Group of the Maine Climate Council.
- January, sometime, community potluck. Details to follow.
- 2/1/2024 and March: Camden Public Landing Conversations, Stakeholder Gatherings. More information to follow.
- 4/4/24 630-730, CPL, Kerry Emanuel, Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Science from MIT will speak on Camden and Coastal Storms.
2024 CamdenCAN Climate Actions
Below is a list of initiatives and actions we’re considering for next year. We need volunteers to bring these to reality. Reply to this newsletter if you have an interest in helping.
- Solar Panels and You: a citizen-led information panel about becoming your own power plant.
- Weatherization snapshot initiative (with neighboring towns), providing low-cost infrared photos of homes to help assess air leakage (with DIY tips for tightening where possible)
- Home energy tour showcasing how residents have reduced energy consumption and made other climate-friendly improvements.
- EV charging infrastructure assessment and action plan. Electric vehicle expo, too.
- Heat pump and solar panel joint discount purchases.
- Business climate challenge—investigate how Camden businesses rank for climate work, and working with merchants, find creative ways to incentivize climate action (discounts for shopping on foot or by ebike?).
Other 2024 Climate Events from Nearby Communities and Organizations
1/8/24 10:30 to Noon, Camden Public Library, From Maine to India: Protecting Source Water Systems with Water Funds. Water funds are a powerful tool for engaging communities in protecting critical local sources of clean water. In this presentation, representatives from The Nature Conservancy will discuss a model project for lasting water source protection in India and its connections to Maine’s Sebago Clean Water Fund. Hybrid event. The event will take place in the morning so as to be amenable to the speaker and participants zooming in from India. To attend virtually, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8H0536-tT9qmRVu4HEClDA
1/10/24, 530- 7pm. Bath Climate Conversations: How to Retrofit Your House to Become Carbon Neutral. Zoom event. REGISTER
Concluding Thoughts
This week’s storm along the East Coast is yet another stark reminder of our new reality: water, water, everywhere.
Warm air carries more water vapor, hence, more intense rainfall—in our streets, rivers, harbors, basements.
We’ll adapt, and we’ll prepare, and as we learn we’ll help one another.
That’s what resilient communities do.
Happy winter.