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Just one and a half weeks after the presidential inauguration, it is understandable that many climate activists feel overwhelmed and powerless.
And that's exactly what they want! The oil companies, and their political supporters, want to overwhelm us with shock and awe.
We can keep our spirits up by:
- Making sure that we read about all of the wonderful successes in climate action -- and there are many to celebrate!
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Finding our niche in climate action. We don't need to do everything -- we can just find our niche and do our part.
Below are lots of opportunities to get engaged and find your niche.
P.S. Save the date: The Third Annual A2 Climate Teach-in is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 1:30-5:15 p.m. One of the themes of the Teach-in will be finding your niche.
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Wednesday, February 5
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Tackling Climate Change at the Watershed Scale
Southeast Michigan is being hit with more water each year as a result of climate change. This water moves within watershed boundaries, but does not respect political boundaries. If we are going to address the threat of more extreme rainfall, drier dry spells and more freeze/thaw events in Southeast Michigan, we must collaborate across municipal boundaries and think about upstream and downstream solutions. Speakers: Rebecca Esselman, Executive Director, Huron River Watershed Council; Jennifer Hill, Executive Director, Clinton River Watershed Council. Rackham Graduate School, Assembly Hall (fourth floor), 915 E. Washington St. Free. Click here for more information. Click here to register.
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Thursday, February 6
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Climate Happy Hour: Citizens' Climate Lobby
Join fellow climate advocates and worrywarts for some fun, food, and refreshments! Union Rec, 545 S. Main St. Free (pay for own food/drinks).
annarbor@citizensclimatelobby.org
(734) 657-3150
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Tuesday, February 11
7:00 p.m.
Peter Sinclair: Michigan's Climate and the Fight for Clean Energy
Washtenaw Climate Reality will be hosting Michigan’s own videographer and climate blogger Peter Sinclair speaking on Michigan’s Climate and the Fight for Clean Energy. Creator of the blog This is Not Cool, Peter will be highlighting the disinformation campaigns we are running up against in our efforts have clean energy projects installed in Michigan. Peter will also be telling us about the Michigan Homegrown Power Campaign, designed to facilitate the installation of these projects.His videos, recognized by experts internationally, have established Peter as a frequent speaker on climate change, renewable energy, and communicating science.
In 2017, the National Center for Science Education recognized Peter as a “Friend of the Planet.”
Free. Click here for Zoom link. Meeting ID: 823 3352 3056
Passcode: 088990 dgurk@hotmail.com
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Friday, February 14
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Molly Kawahata: A Hopeful Horizon for Climate Action -- Bridging Communications, Cognition, and the Science of Hope
Molly Kawahata, former climate advisor to the Obama White House and subject of Patagonia's film, The Scale of Hope (2022) will speak about the transformative power of hope in fighting climate change. Rackham Amphitheatre, 915 E. Washington St. Free and open to the public. For more information, click here. Registration required. Click here to register.
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Sunday, February 16 - Saturday, February 22
U-M: Zero Waste Week
This campus-wide challenge will teach you, step-by-step, how to produce less waste and support the circular economy in Ann Arbor!
Our focus with this challenge is on the "upstream" waste that is produced, even before stuff gets to you. Unfortunately, even recyclable items still produce a lot of upstream waste, so for this week our "3 R's" are to try to reduce, reuse, and rot (rather than recycle). The most environmentally friendly product is the one that never gets made.
From extraction to disposal, our materials economy sits at the root of climate change and environmental breakdown. Learn what you can do in your own life to reduce waste and build momentum for a zero waste future at the university and in Ann Arbor. Free and open to the public. For further information and to register, click here. hello@zerowaste.org (347) 276-2823
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Wednesday, February 26
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Sustainability Forum: Circular Innovation in Ann Arbor's Food and Beverage Sectors
Anyone who has been to Ann Arbor knows just how extraordinary its food and beverage scene is! In addition to providing wonderful products to residents and visitors, many local food and beverage businesses are adopting sustainable practices to reduce their environmental impact. Join us to learn about the work Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability is doing to advance sustainability within the local food business community, as well as hear from the local food entrepreneurs who are reducing landfill waste and advancing a more circular, regenerative food system! Ann Arbor District Library - Downtown Branch, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Multipurpose Room. Free.
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MONTHLY CLIMATE ACTION MEETINGS | |
Citizens' Climate Lobby -- Ann Arbor
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a national, non-partisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. Second Saturday of every month. National CCL call at 1:00 p.m., followed by monthly chapter meeting at 2:00. Free. Downtown Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. 5th Ave., also click here for Zoom. Passcode: 123 annarbor@citizensclimatelobby.org
(734) 657-3150
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City of Ann Arbor Energy Commission
The City of Ann Arbor Energy Commission is a group of residents, including youth, charged with advising City Council on energy efficiency and renewable energy policies and programs. Meetings are the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m, open to the public, and broadcast live on CTN Cable Channel 16, ATT Channel 99, and online at a2gov.org/watchCTN. Agendas are posted here the Friday before the meeting along with records of past meetings (meeting materials, minutes and recorded videos). To provide public comment call (877) 853-5247 or (888) 788- 0099 and enter Meeting ID 956 8718 7876.
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Washtenaw Climate Reality
Take action. Inspire Action. Washtenaw Climate Reality works for effective climate action in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and worldwide. Second Tuesday of every month. 7:00 p.m. Free. Click here for Zoom meeting.Meeting ID: 823 3352 3056. Passcode: 088990 dgurk@hotmail.com
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The Ann Arbor: Climate Action City, USA calendar of climate action events is brought to you by the same people who present the A2 Climate Teach-in.
The Ann Arbor: Climate Action City, USA website, which includes a list of local climate action organizations; action steps individuals can take; and past issues of the newsletter can be found here.
For information or to submit calendar events: info@climateactioncityusa.com
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