Neighbor-to-Neighbor Information on Home Energy
Feb 27, 2024
Do you remember the years when we were told that living in Maine precluded realistic use of solar power?
Hard to believe, but there was real concern that factors like our short winter days, panel costs, etc., were going to make solar energy virtually impossible here. Time has proven those pundits wrong.
Our upcoming CamdenCAN event will help you understand how home solar might work for you.
On March 13 CamdenCAN hosts the next Camden Talks Climate event, “Plugging Into Solar,” a panel moderated by energy-efficient-home builder Peter Kalajian. Peter will be joined by two other Camden residents—Brian Lightbody and David Babski—who have also installed solar at their homes. You’ll learn about the history, cost, and installation options of residential solar in Maine.
In addition to solar arrays, the panelists have varied hands-on experiences with highly energy-efficient dwellings, residential heat pumps, and electric vehicles (EVs). Pete Kalajian will also discuss the pros and cons of rooftop solar panels vs. community-solar-farm membership.
The event is at 6:30 pm at the French Conference room (zoom registration is at the calendar listing below).
Community Potluck Energy!
We were thrilled by the hearty turnout at our recent potluck. The food offerings were plentiful, and the conversations robust and inspiring. We’re still digesting all the ideas and information we heard, and we’ll report back with more as we make something coherent out of the energy. (And yes, we hope to host potlucks every couple of months—pencil in the next one for 4/25/24.)
Some of the highlights and accomplishments at the supper:
- we’ve got a lead on some students to design CamdenCAN’s website;
- we’ve heard that there will be a proposal to the Camden select board to endorse a federal policy on carbon pricing—follow the March 6 select board meeting for more;
- we’ve heard the select board re-approved SEA’s touch tank at the public landing—you can help this push to educate about harbor and watershed life by letting the SB know you’re glad they’ve renewed this awesome education corner (email them at: tocselectboard@camdenmaine.gov). (And while you’re at it, why not let the SB know that you’d like more greenery, community gardens, information and support for lawn rewilding (read about South Portland’s 100 Resilient Yards), and trees all over town?);
- the Camden-Rockport Pathways Committee has submitted its plan—and they are looking for feedback (see here). At the potluck we wondered how to encourage the authors of this plan to create ebike initiatives, especially for commuters into town. And could the CPL lend ebikes in a pilot program? See MaineDOT’s BikePed Funding Program. Also, the DOT has an Active Transportation Plan that incorporates climate change. (And did you know certain nonprofits and other groups can get funds to help with ebike purchases?—read about that here.)
Upcoming CamdenCAN Events
Drop-In, Ongoing Climate Conversation Circles, Camden Public Library: Wednesday, 3/6/24, 5-5:45 pm; Thursday, 3/7/24, 1-2:30 pm; Wednesday, 3/20/24, 5-5:45 pm; Thursday, 3/21/24, 1-2:30 pm. See the description here. (No need to have attended a previous conversation.)
3/13/24, Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 pm, French Conference Room, 16 Washington St., Camden and via zoom (Join Zoom Meeting). Camden Talks Climate Panel, “Plugging Into Solar,” with Pete Kalajian, Brian Lightbody, David Babski—all Camden residents and homeowners. They’ll share their home solar experiences and there will be a robust Q&A. (See more about the event above.)
4/4/24, Thursday, 6:30-8:00 pm, Camden Public Library Maritime Month, Camden Talks Climate Panel, Kerry Emanuel, emeritus professor of atmospheric science at MIT, “Hurricanes In Mid-coast Maine: Past, Present, and Future.” After reviewing the long and interesting history of hurricanes that have affected Maine, Emanuel will talk about recent scientific advances that say something about how hurricane risk is changing in mid-coast Maine, focusing on Camden. He will also discuss the recent destructive winter storms.
Other Upcoming Green/Climate Citizen Events
2/28/24, Wednesday, 5-7:00 pm, Liberator Brewing, Rockland, Midcoast Climate, Energy, and Green Building Happy Hour. Drinks and conversation with colleagues and neighbors. Share announcements about events, committees, volunteer opportunities, funding, jobs (seeking or hiring), and anything else you’re excited about. All are welcome, especially if you work in energy efficiency, green building, clean energy, climate solutions, environmental protection, and are enthusiastic about our local ecosystems and economies.
2/29/24, Thursday, 5 pm, French Conference Room, Camden Planning Board Workshop on Piers, Short-term Rentals. In person only.
3/4/24, Monday, 3-4:00 pm, and all Mondays in March. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Talk Series. “Making Space for Seafood in our Food Systems.” Read the full list of talks, and register, here.
3/6/24, Wednesday, 6:30 pm. Camden select board meeting. Find Zoom/YouTube link at the town website. Learn about a carbon pricing policy; attend in person and let your thoughts about climate change initiatives be heard.
3/14/24, Thursday, 4:30-5:30 pm, first meeting of online book discussion of Victoria Loorz’ book Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the SacredChurch of the Wild, via zoom. Hosted by Ute Molitor at the First Congregational Church at Camden. Email here to register and consider getting your book through your local bookstore.
3/14/24, Thursday, 9 am -12 pm, Maine Climate Council (follow the link to register—online only).
Green Volunteer Opportunities
4/25/24, 4-5:00 pm, MCHT’s Erickson Fields Preserve, 164 West Street, Rockport. An orientation for Kids Can Grow volunteers. Kids Can Grow, a six-month comprehensive gardening program, teaches youth ages 7-12 how to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers for their families in their own 3 x 5 foot raised-bed gardens at home, using intensive square foot gardening techniques. Volunteers participate in a variety of ways, including mentoring and preparing supplies for gardening. FMI see here.
Concluding Thoughts
Camden has ample people energy and solar energy. Finding ways to use that energy for the good of all hasn’t always been easy, but we’re learning.
Bit by bit, event by event, each encounter opens doors to new ways and new possibilities for a Camden that is resilient and sustainable. In those new visions, resources—the air we breath, the water we drink, the soil that holds us, the ocean we rely on for complex life webs—are treasured, not used up.
We won’t get through the climate crisis alone. Our challenges run deep—requiring a concerted effort to undo the systems that got us here: overshoot of resources, overconsumption, unlimited growth, belief systems that lead to destruction of the natural world. We’ll be led by designing a world where we work with the natural world, not destroy or fight against it. The living world will be front and center.
We’ll need to learn from others and listen to others—our neighbors and those around the world also facing the challenges of the warming world.
Small steps add up.
Join us on March 13 to learn of solar steps you can take.
Hope to see you there.
