‘Tis the Season, In So Many Ways
Nov 30, 2023
One of the brilliant things about Camden is our seasonal star atop Mt. Battie. Its luminosity has many layers—from the generous volunteers who keep it lit to the message of hope that shimmers out.
The star encompasses so much of what we admire about living here. Although there are many tasks—some folks tote the big equipment, some raise funds, others check on the steadfastness of the light—we are united in the doing by our love of Camden.
Camden residents frequently work together to make this place better for all. It can take us a while—but by exchanging our visions—and meeting in the middle—we often accomplish great things. (Jump to Concluding Thoughts for another bright idea about our star.)
Camden Talks Climate, November 2023 Panel Report
On November 16 CamdenCAN and the town of Camden cohosted an informative and engaging panel about climate work in midcoast Maine. Regular folks like us talked about the towns they love and what they’re doing to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
We loved hearing about the brilliant joint heat-pump purchase for Islesboro (now up to 50 homes) and the high-water mark education event in Belfast. On Vinalhaven they’ve been envisioning a downtown resilient to sea level rise, creating a master plan to make that happen. In Rockport they’re collecting data on green house gas emissions and running educational outreach programs.
Rockland’s approach to climate work is grounded in three principles: 1) climate work is a shared responsibility, permeating all city work going forward; 2) taking climate action is a priority; 3) solutions often benefit several aspects of Rockland life—for instance, the switch to clean and efficient energy has saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
You can watch the you tube video at this link. You can also read Dan Dunkle’s report on the panel here.
Next CamdenCAN Talk, 12/7/23—Focus on Camden
Residents will get a window into Camden climate action in the second of the Camden Talks Climate series cosponsored by the town and CamdenCAN(ClimateActionNow). The panel will be held Thursday, December 7 at 630 pm at the Camden Public Library (see more here). You can attend in person, or register via zoom here.
Entitled “Where Does Camden Stand on Climate Action?,” the panel will begin with Janet McMahon and Alex Facq, who will provide background on the Watershed School’s investigation of climate change and the push to have Camden become the first Maine community to sign on the Global Covenant of Mayors (2018). They’ll discuss the importance of climate education in our schools and explore how a green house gas inventory is conducted.
Sarah Miller, a Camden resident who sat on the (now defunct) Energy Committee, will report on their initiatives, progress, and the inevitable setbacks. Jeremy Martin, Camden’s Planning and Development Director will follow with an update on the changes made to public buildings (the Siemens projects) and other municipal efforts including the town solar array. Dave St. Laurent, the town’s Public Works Director, will discuss flood resiliency (storm and water level management) and other initiatives. Data on EVs, heat pumps, and weatherization projects in town will also be shared.
Coastal Climate Calendar
Dec. 7, Thursday, 1-230 pm at the Camden Public Library. Join us for our biweekly Climate Conversation Circles—a facilitated, open, and ongoing space to explore eco-anxiety, share resources, and meet neighbors interested in finding ways to grapple with the reality of our warming planet. No need to have attended other sessions. FMI see here.
Dec. 7, Thursday, 630-8 pm, CPL, Camden Talks Climate panel discussion, “Where Does Camden Stand on Climate Action?” Panelists to include Watershed School activists, Sarah Miller, Jeremy Martin, Dave St. Laurent, among others. You can attend in person, or register via zoom here.
December 13, 5-7 pm, Midcoast Climate, Energy, and Green Building Happy Hour—at Lucky Betty’s in Camden! See the link in Facebook. Dress warmly!
Dec. 21, Thursday, 1-230 pm, CPL, Camden Climate Conversation Circles. See information on Dec. 7.
Jan. 11, Thursday, CPL, 630-730 pm, Camden Talks Climate panel, Parker Gassett, “Best Practices Across Camden Climate Hazards,” insights and best ways to more forward in policy and action, geared specifically for Camden.
Good Things Coming Along in Camden
We’ve heard from LOTS of you on the Camden Climate survey. If you haven’t had a chance to weigh in on what you see as Camden’s priorities, you can take the survey here.
Here are some other tidbits of community activity. The combined Camden-Rockport Pathways committee is working on draft master plan; there is burgeoning nonprofit group whose mission is to help restore Curtis Island; and the town Planning Office is working on performance standards for drains/storm run off. Early in the new year we’ll have more to share about the public landing rework.
Oh, and while not directly related to climate action, this article from the Daily Mail about the settlement for the lethal herbicide application nearby Laite Beach helps remind the world that Camden cares about its environment. That’s a good message.
Food for Thought
The world’s use of fossil fuel is not declining—read here and here—and emissions are not dropping. Consumptive life styles, especially here in the West, remain the rule.
And yet our true abundance is what we find in our tidepools and in the smiles of our loved ones. That abundance can’t be boxed and bowed, but it can be cultivated and shared.
So maybe consider the gift of presence this season of giving. Give time, give love, give a weekly walk. Explore tidepools with a loved one.
We at CamdenCAN are working on action projects for the Spring 2024—there’ll be lots of ways you can give your time to help Camden reduce emissions, educate shoreland owners about natural solutions, and work on weatherization projects, as a few examples. Stay tuned.
Concluding Thoughts
Camden’s star shines bright. And yet.
Could we reconsider what makes that star shine? A bank of solar panels instead of the fossil fuel generator would move that shining star to a bright reminder of the ways our future can shine.
We can choose a different way to illuminate our hope.
Is there a Camden business or individual who’d like to fund the transition to solar for our Mt. Battie star? Let us know—we’d love to work together so that a year from now we can look up and see our green future.