ECA Mass Event Calendar

Larry Rosenberg Memorial Webinar Series

CONFRONTING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

Larry Rosenberg Memorial Webinar Series September, 2023

Nuclear Power: Expensive Menace or Low-Carbon Solution

Thursday, September 7, 7:30 pm to 9pm   

Register here.

This discussion will explore the question of whether next-generation nuclear technology should be a significant component of worldwide climate mitigation strategies. 

• Kaylee Cunningham, MIT doctoral candidate in nuclear engineering and widely-recognized social media influencer — TikTok's "Ms. Nuclear Energy" — will present the pro-nuclear case.  

• Vick Mohanka, Acting Chapter Director at the Massachusetts Sierra Club, will be articulating the continuing dangers and uncertainties of nukes.  

• Elizabeth Turnbull Henry, moderator, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts

"Climate-Oriented Forest Management Guidelines – Public Input Session

September 12, 2023, 6:00-8:30pm

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs invites you to join a public meeting about a comprehensive effort to conserve and manage forest land in the Commonwealth, known as the Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative.

On September 12, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:30 pm, a remote meeting will be held to seek public
input to inform the development of forest management guidelines based on the latest climate science. The guidelines will be applied to forest management on state lands, inform other forest landowners, and serve as the basis for state incentives for adoption of climate-oriented forest management practices.
            This meeting is intended to obtain general input on the approach and content of the guidelines. A second public meeting will be held in November to seek feedback on specific issues related to draft guidelines.

We kindly request your consideration of the following framing questions, to guide your input at this first session:
- What role should humans play in optimizing carbon storage and sequestration in forests? To advance other objectives such as clean water, habitat for rare species, or wood products?

- What is your definition or concept of forest reserves? What, if any, is the role of human
intervention in maintaining reserve conditions?

- According to the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment (2022) degraded forest health is expected due to warming temperatures, changing precipitation, increasing pest occurrence, and more frequent and intense storms. What types of forest vulnerability do you think require effort to preserve, protect, fortify and/or enhance our state forest lands? What management practices or approaches do you suggest to make the forests of Massachusetts more resilient to the conditions projected by the Climate Change Assessment?

Please register for the session using the following links. 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
To attend the virtual session on September 12 from 6:00-8:30pm, please sign up here
To provide oral comment at the virtual session on September 12, please sign up here
To provide written comments, please submit your input using the following form. 

While submission of written comment related to this session by Friday, September 15 at 5pm will facilitate consideration, comments will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter.

If you have any additional comments or questions not related to this public listening session or wish to share any attachments, please submit to the following email inbox: guidelines@mass.gov"

Join us for the three-part webinar series What’s Up with Offshore Wind? Current Status – Future Plans – Getting It Done, as we take a deep dive into the Northeast’s offshore wind industry. Each session has a separate Zoom registration. Sign up for one, two, or all three! Each webinar will feature guest speakers who are experts in their respective topics.

Webinars will be recorded and posted for later viewing.

Co-hosted by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and New England for Offshore Wind.

Webinar I: Collaboration and Ambition: Where Offshore Wind Stands Now

September 14, 2023, 4-5 pm Eastern Time

The global scientific community has issued a dire warning about the urgent effects of climate change and the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half in the next six years. States have increased their ambition on climate change by setting aggressive renewable energy targets, and they are turning to offshore wind as a stable and cost-effective solution to meet them. At the same time, policy makers, environmentalists, and communities are working together to make sure our offshore wind resources are developed responsibly and in a timely manner. However, project development hurdles and opposition campaigns threaten our critical clean energy progress.

In this first of a three-part webinar series on offshore wind, you will learn about the status of offshore wind projects in the Northeast, the red flags of misinformation and disinformation about offshore wind development, and the small actions you can take that can have a big impact on offshore wind’s success.

Register for Webinar I

Webinar II:

 Opportunities and Obstacles: Costs and Benefits of Offshore Wind

November 16, 2023, 4-5 pm Eastern Time

The deployment of offshore wind projects in federal waters off the US East Coast is central to the Northeast states’ near-term climate and energy goals, but reaching those goals cannot come at the expense of people, wildlife, and the environment.

In this second of a three-part webinar series on offshore wind, you will learn about the costs and benefits of offshore wind projects in the development pipeline and how project developers plan to protect people, wildlife, and the environment; and how stakeholders are working to ensure those plans rely on best practices founded in sound science and data, respect marginalized and overburdened communities, and drive economic justice for all.

Register for Webinar II

Webinar III: Conflicts and Solutions: Overcoming Offshore Wind Opposition

January 18, 2024, 4-5 pm Eastern Time

Supporting responsible offshore wind development means understanding the best pathway for achieving our climate goals. Continuous and rigorous engagement among stakeholders can raise awareness of the best environmental practices, community needs, and equitable economic opportunities that can come with responsibly developed offshore wind. However, misleading information and intentionally deceptive campaigns about offshore wind make it more difficult to find the right balance of environmentally sound and equitable development with climate imperatives.

In the final installment of this three-part webinar series, you will learn about opposition messaging prevalent in the Northeast offshore wind sector and best practices for setting the record straight about this important clean energy resource. You will leave with access to a practical messaging guide and social media tool kit to help you identify and counter deceptive messaging practices.

Register for Webinar III

Friday, September 15th

Times vary by location

GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE 

On Sept. 15th, our youth allies at Fridays for Future have called for a GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE to keep up the heat on global leaders. Many mobilizations, demonstrations, rallies, marches and more are happening across the U.S. and around the globe. With more than 300 events happening globally, the world will be watching. Stand up for climate justice by reaching out to your local youth climate movement.

Learn more about the Global Climate Strike here.

Click here to check the map and find actions near you or to list an event or action in your area. 

Larry Rosenberg Memorial Webinar Series: Green Banks: Financing Climate Solutions

Wednesday, September 20, 7:30 pm to 9pm  
Click here to register.

This forum will be a full, informative discussion about green banks on the national level, the workings of an actual green bank, and the plans for the new green bank in Massachusetts.

Paul Mark, a State Senator from Western Mass., will speak about plans for the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank, the nation’s first green bank dedicated to affordable housing.

Nenha Young, the Director of Policy and Network at the Coalition for Green Capital, will provide a national perspective, including the role of the Inflation Reduction Act in stimulating new and existing green banks.

Eric Shrago, the Vice President of Operations at the Connecticut Green Bank will talk about the experience of the nation’s first Green Bank, est. in 2011.

Lee Harris, staff writer at The American Prospect with many bylines in her name about green banks and capital markets, will moderate.

Senator Edward Markey has also been invited to say a few words about his work to create a green bank at the national level. He will be joining us at the beginning of the session either on Zoom or via a pre-recorded video, depending upon his schedule.

As our minds turn to fall and the leaves begin to gather on the ground, LEAVE THEM THERE!

 To find out why, sign up below for LEAVE THE LEAVES
A Zoom Introduction & Conversation on
Soil & Climate Benefits

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st at 8:00pm
REGISTER HERE:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModeGhpzktHd10GJPZ2UdTo-r3NmKOUmRD

This fall, it couldn't be easier to support pollinators, provide overwinter shelter for amphibians, nurture the soil, improve water retention, and drawdown carbon. Just leave the leaves!

Join us on the first day of fall for a virtual talk by Lincoln soil microbial ecologist Dr.Rachel Neurath to learn about the benefits of leaving the leaves.

And save the date for the Lincoln Garden Club's public meeting on November 7th. Kathy Connolly will give a presentation entitled: "Leave the Leaves, Save the Stems".
Organized by Lincoln Common Ground and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust in collaboration with the Lincoln Garden Club and Codman Community Farms.

Tuesday, September 26th, 7–8:15 pm ET

 ECA MONTHLY NATIONAL CALL 

The Power of the People Mobilizing for Climate Action

with Bill McKibben and Youth Organizer Helen Mancini

 Longtime climate activist Bill McKibben, youth organizer Helen Mancini, and a number of Elders who attended the “March to End Fossil Fuels” mass mobilization in NYC will join the National Call to discuss the impacts of the mobilization, the outcomes of the UN Climate Ambition Summit and look toward what comes next. Please note this National Call will be 75 minutes. REGISTER HERE.

Want to go green, but concerned about the cost? There are so many easy ways to save! Homeowners, businesses, non-profits and municipalities are invited to the Clean Energy Forum on Wednesday, September 27th to learn all about the incentives available to help you save! 

Follow this link https://westath.libcal.com/event/10939744 for more information and to register. Hosted by the Pioneer Valley Library Collaborative and Voice for Climate.

The Pioneer Valley Library Collaborative [PVLC] and Voices for Climate [V4C] are pleased to announce the keynote event for Climate Preparedness Week, September 24-30, 2023. On Wednesday, September 27th, the public is invited to the Clean Energy Incentives For All Forum at Westfield State University. The Forum’s goal is to highlight state and federal incentives for homeowners, renters, businesses, municipalities, nonprofits and individuals to cut costs by shifting to clean energy sources, move away from fossil fuel use and thus assist Massachusetts in the transition to a greener, low-carbon economy.

This September 27th free forum will take place in Wilson Hall at Westfield State University. 
There will be a reception with light refreshments beginning at 5:45 p.m. during which clean energy resources and information will be exhibited. The forum presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A segment.

Registration is requested for this event. The registration link is here: https://westath.libcal.com/event/10939744 . In person and hybrid.


For details and questions:
John Meiklejohn at jmiserve183@gmail.com or call 413-348-2848.