View as Webpage

March e-Newsletter

Celebrating Women's History Month, we proudly acknowledge the pivotal role women play in championing our mission. As we welcome the beauty of Cape Cod spring, we would like to extend our appreciation to all the diverse and dynamic women from varied backgrounds, including government, town governance, corporate leadership, nonprofit advocacy and individual contributors, who passionately work toward our shared goal of addressing climate change on Cape Cod.

Globally, the significance of women's involvement in climate change has been recognized through a spotlight on twenty-five trailblazing women leading the fight against climate change. The Reuters article emphasizes that these leaders hail from diverse backgrounds and industries, showcasing their impactful contributions to addressing the global climate crisis. Additionally, the article provides insight into their efforts and accomplishments, offering a glimpse into the essential role women play in propelling sustainability and environmental change.

Offshore Wind

Last month, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Massachusetts' first offshore wind project, Vineyard Wind 1, has begun the first phase of operations. With five turbines operating at full capacity, the project is generating 68 megawatts of power, enough for 30,000 homes.

‌

The wind farm, located off Martha’s Vineyard, is a significant step toward the state’s clean energy goals, providing electricity for over 400,000 homes, creating 3,600 jobs, and reducing carbon emissions by 1.6 million metric tons annually.

‌

The start of Vineyard Wind’s operations signals a groundbreaking chapter in sustainable energy and the Climate Collaborative expresses our unwavering support toward a cleaner, more resilient future.



Read the full press release

What Can I Do?

In our February newsletter, we highlighted the remarkable efforts of Project Drawdown and their impactful work. As a non-profit organization dedicated to reversing global warming, they have identified and promoted the top 100 solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Utilizing their solutions and our own collaborative verbs, these are our suggestions that may help Cape Codders build a more sustainable future:

Educate and Communicate: Learn more about how girls’ education and family planning are essential components of climate adaptation and resilience.

Act: If you have an Electric Vehicle (EV), invite a friend or colleague along for a ride. If you don’t, take a test drive with an EV car dealer today.

Convene and Collaborate: Gather some friends or neighbors for a conversation about food waste. Contribute to or volunteer with a food rescue organization like Farming Falmouth.

Advocate: If you live near a coast, write a letter to the editor on the role salt marshes and eelgrass beds play in protecting our community. 

In this month's newsletter, we shine a spotlight and invite you to join the Big Blue Conference and share your Earth Day events for us to promote! Read on to learn more.

Call for Earth Day Event Submissions

As we approach Earth Day, a global celebration of environmental consciousness, we invite you to submit your Earth Day events! Whether it's a community clean-up, tree planting, or an educational workshop, we want to hear about it.

By sharing your Earth Day activities, you not only inspire others to take action but also contribute to a growing network of individuals committed to preserving our planet.



Submitting your event is easy – just provide a brief description of your event, title, date, time, and location, along with any graphics you would like us to use.

Deadline for submissions: April 15th

Host on the Coast!

Interested in housing a student who is doing real, impactful work to support sustainable and affordable housing on Cape Cod? The Massachusetts Housing and Climate Innovation Center is looking for residents to host Housing and Climate All-Stars for 8-weeks (starting mid-June through mid-August) this summer while they undertake projects to improve climate resilience, environmental sustainability and affordability in our Cape Cod communities.

Host families will receive a stipend of $150/week to offset costs.

FalCAN | En-ROADS Workshop

Join FalCAN (Falmouth Climate Action Network) for the EN-ROADS Workshop on Monday, March 18, 2024, 7 - 8:30 pm in the Hermann Foundation Room at the Falmouth Main Public Library.

En-ROADS is an online simulator that provides policymakers, educators, businesses, the media and the public with the ability to test and explore cross-sector climate solutions. The EN-ROADS system dynamics model is an invaluable aid to help us understand the long-term effects of our choices for climate action.

Our friends and community partners at FalCAN are pleased to invite you to join this workshop led by their Steering Committee member David Leslie.

Online Series

Conserving Nature Close to Home

The final installment of this FREE webinar hosted by Mass Audubon will explore “what you can do in your community to address climate change by supporting nature.” 

March 26

Conservation in Your Community

Chatham Orpheum Theater

Inundation District

Join the Chatham Orpheum Theater on Thursday, April 11 at 7 pm for the documentary film "Inundation District" by David Abel, creator of "In The Whale."

Among rising seas and worsening storms, Boston, a wealthy and highly educated city, spent billions constructing a new district on its coast—on a sea-level landfill. Despite already facing more high-tide flooding than nearly any other U.S. city, Boston named its new quarter the Innovation District. As sea levels continue to rise, some now dub the area a different name: Inundation District.

Alongside "Inundation District", Chatham Orpheum Theater will present the new documentary "No Refuge: Cape Cod's Coastal Crisis" by Jan Crocker, creator of "Explore the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge." Join them for an insightful exploration of these crucial issues.

NPR: What YOU Can Do About Climate Change?

During climate week 2023, NPR shed light on urgent climate change actions in a compelling article published on October 8.

Recognizing the overwhelming nature of many climate solutions, NPR has compiled a range of manageable, actionable steps that individuals can take to make a positive impact. These suggestions span various lifestyles, from major home appliance replacements to simpler weekend activities, and are categorized by indoor, outdoor and on-the-go actions to suit different preferences and circumstances.

Heat pumps can work for both heating and cooling. You can think of a heat pump as an air conditioner that can also work backward.

Check out Cape Light Compacts special offer for non-profits

This year the Cape Light Compact has modified the eligibility standards for their non-profit incentive program. If you were not eligible in the past, you may be eligible now for up to 100% of recommended energy efficiency upgrades.

To qualify non-profits must:

• Have received a no-cost energy assessment
• Own the building or have an eligible long-term lease. Please contact Cape Light Compact for details
• Provide a copy of charitable 501(c)3 status
• Have been in operation for at least 5 years on Cape Cod and/or Martha’s Vineyard
• Have an annual electric usage for all accounts on the site not exceeding 1,500,000 kWh in the prior twelve months, and the active electric account must be in the non-profit’s name

Regional News

Partner Spotlight

Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation | Katy Acheson

Earlier this month, the Climate Collaborative got an opportunity to catch up with Katy Acheson, Economic Development Director for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation to discuss the upcoming Big Blue Conference: It's Electric!

CC: How did the Big Blue Conference come to be, and what is the purpose of the conference?

KA: One of the core objectives of the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation is to promote blue economy industries and our regional identity. Hosting a conference gives us the stage to promote people and organizations working in the blue economy and allows us to have BIG conversations about topics like offshore wind, shark tourism, and electric transportation.

CC: Who should attend the conference?

KA: From students to global industry leaders, Big Blue is curated to appeal to everyone, and everyone is welcome. 

CC: Last year’s conference focused on “Big Ideas for Blue Careers” – what’s this year’s theme?

KA: “It’s Electric” is the theme of Big Blue this year. We’ll learn a lot about our electric grid, how the Cape Cod Gateway Airport is forming a micro-grid of their own, the future of electric vehicle charging, and the ways mass transit is changing over to electric-powered buses.

CC: What does electricity have to do with the blue economy?

KA: The mission of the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation is to grow the region’s economy in a sustainable and balanced way, focusing on protecting and promoting our water and coastal resources. Our changing climate directly impacts our water and coastal resources. Electrification, more specifically moving away from fossil fuels, is one important way to reduce emissions and begin reducing our negative impacts on the natural world. 

CC: What was the highlight of the conference last year, and what do you think will be the highlight of this year’s?

KA: Almost a year later, people are still talking about the Life of Oysters panel presentation (you can watch it on the Cape Cod Chamber’s YouTube channel). We have so many brilliant speakers this year that we’re just as excited as everyone else to discover who will give the standout presentation of Big Blue 2024. I’m particularly glad we’re able to give the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance a panel this year to talk about the importance of working waterfronts. Every time I hear someone from CCCFA speak, I learn something new and feel more driven to support our local blue economy.

CC: Why is Big Blue taking place at the airport this year? 



KA: Since we started talking internally about what topics to cover at Big Blue 2024, the Cape Cod Gateway Airport’s micro-grid project kept coming up as a focal point. And there’s no better place to have a conversation about the airport than at the airport. We’re so grateful that the airport, the Town of Barnstable, and Aloft.

Climate Ambassadors

The 2024 Cape Cod Climate Ambassadors cohort met in person on Wednesday, February 28th at Cape Cod 5 headquarters in Hyannis for a session on climate policy and advocacy.

Among the speakers at this meeting were Cape Cod 5 CEO and Climate Collaborative Advisory Council Member Matt Burke, Climate Collaborative Board President Dorothy Savarese, former State Senator, Cape Air founder, and Climate Collaborative Executive Committee member Dan Wolf, and Cape Cod Commission Executive Committee member Kristy Senatori.

We welcome climate news from your home, school, business, town, faith community, or organization. Please submit your news, events, or article ideas to info@capecodclimate.org.