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Climate Week 2016 - "Spring into Action" - presented opportunities for citizens of all ages through a series of events over the course of one week (see the list of events below). It was designed to bring us together in hope around the climate crisis, and to identify different ways to take direct, purposeful action. The sixth annual Climate Week was held in early spring, March 28 - April 3, 2016.
Mobilizing the Energy Revolution: Mara Prentiss, Harvard University, Professor of Physics
March 28, 6:30–8pm, Main Library, 361 Washington St., Hunneman Hall
How do we convert our entire energy supply to renew-ables? Mara Prentiss, author of Energy Revolution: The Physics and the Promise of Efficient Technology, tells us about the opportunities and choices that must be made. “Most people aren’t aware of the enormous positive oppor¬tunities for change. I wrote the book to encourage people to embrace some of those changes.”
Climate Café: Exploring Your Place in the Climate Movement
Dan Ruben, Boston Green Tourism & Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman, Asst. Rabbi Temple Sinai & MA Interfaith Coalition for Climate Action (MAICCA)
March 29, 7-8:30pm program, Temple Sinai, 50 Sewall Ave.
Facing climate change can be overwhelming. It is also a pro-found opportunity to come together for service and justice. Join two pioneering climate leaders for their TED talk style presentations about their journeys into the climate move¬ment. After the presentations, break into small groups to explore ways to deepen our commitment to address climate change personally and in society. Fossil Fuel Free Action: bring your electric bill and switch to clean renewable electricity.
Local Action, Big Results
Carol Oldham, Exec. Dir. MA Climate Action Network; Dr. Tommy Vitolo, Sr. Assoc., Synapse Energy Economics; Audrey Schulman, Pres. & Co-Founder HEET; Nathan Phillips, BU Professor of Earth and Environment; André LeRoux, Exec. Dir. MA Smart Growth Alliance.
March 30th, 6:30–7pm refreshments 7-9pm program, All Saints Church, 1773 Beacon St.
Municipal climate initiatives are accelerating now across the Commonwealth. Leaders examine three ways communities are innovating: implementing options for local renewable electricity, eliminating methane gas leaks, and promoting smart growth through long range community vision to raise the bar on sustainable town and school expansion. Break out into workshops for developing impactful actions.
Powering Our Statehouse Forward: Will We Break Away from Fossil Fuels?
Mass. Power Forward coalition members: Joel Wool, Clean Water Action; Eugenia Gibbons, Mass. Energy Consumers Alliance; Marla Marcum, Climate Disobedience Center; Isaac Baker, Coop Power
March 31st, 6:30–8:30pm program, Main Library, Hunneman Hall, 361 Washington St.
We are currently making decisions regarding our state’s infrastructure that will determine how our energy is delivered over the next sixty years. Join Mass. Power Forward leaders who are fighting for our future. Break into workshops for powering the state toward clean, renewable energy, stopping new gas lines, and developing community owned power.
This Changes Everything: A Film based on Naomi Klein’s book
April 1st, 7–9pm, Lawrence School, 27 Francis St., Auditorium
What if confronting the climate crisis is about much more than just using less energy and emitting less carbon? Naomi Klein, noted journalist and climate champion, points out that the challenge the human race faces is not just about atmospheric science, but also about the very socio-economic institutions of Western civilization.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
Green Routes Bike Tour of Brookline
John Dempsey, Bicycle Advisory Committee
8–9:30am, Town Hall Parking Lot, 333 Washington St.
Want to make bicycling part of your daily routine? Brook¬line is improving safety for bicyclists. Join our tour of recent and planned bicycle infrastructure improvements. Riders high school age and older. About 8 miles.
3R Depot: Pitch In to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
10am–2pm, In & Around Town Hall, 333 Washington St.
Education, action, & fun for the whole family. Enjoy 3R De¬pot stations, lunch at the Carbon Café, & Youth Science Fair at the Pierce School.
LEARN Locate Brookline’s 351 methane gas leaks with a scav-enger hunt and art installation; Brookline Community Solar; Register to vote; Urban transit of the future; Climate Action Plan
KIDS CORNER Out of the Box creations with recycled goods; Story Hour
EAT The Carbon Café offers sample dishes from local produce and learn about hidden environmental costs of food.
SHARE Sports Gear Exchange: pick up or trade in used sports gear for all ages; Styrofoam and Packing Peanuts Recycling; Composting; Eyeglasses, cell phones and soda can pull-tabs.
TRY Electric cars and innovative bikes. Bring your bike and helmets. Free bike safety checks and advice. Donate your unused bikes to Bikes Not Bombs.
Youth Climate Adaptation Science Fair
11am–2pm, Pierce School, Pierce St. and 50 School St. entrances, Cafeteria
Join budding scientists as they step up to the challenge in a science fair that addresses climate change and adaptation. Brookline students from K – 12 put on their thinking caps as they address energy transportation, biodiversity, food supply, eco-friendly fashion. You be the judge!
Complete Streets for a Livable Brookline?
Chris Dempsey, Transportation Board; Scott Englander, Complete Streets Comm.: Jane Gould, Public Transportation Advisory Comm.; Bob Sloane, WalkBoston; Cynthia Snow, Brookline Bicycle Advisory Comm.
2–4pm, Main Library, 361 Washington St., Hunneman Hall
Transportation leaders describe a planning vision: Complete Streets, that safely integrates travel by foot, bicycle, and tran-sit. Learn how Brookline marks its place in the region by ap-plying this vision to our community.
SUNDAY APRIL 3
Muddy River Project Walk: From Olmsted to the 21st Century
Fran Gershwin, Chair Muddy River Restoration Project Main-tenance and Management Oversight Committee
10–11:30am meet outside, Landmark Center. 401 Park Drive, Boston
Gershwin leads a walk highlighting project objectives: flood control, climate mitigation, water quality, habitat enhance-ment & historic landscape restoration followed by project viewing & refreshments upstairs at the Landmark Center.
Lost Pond Sanctuary Walk
Alex Cassie, Brookline Park Ranger
12–1:30pm, Lost Pond Sanctuary, Arlington Rd. entrance
Enjoy a guided walk through Lost Pond Sanctuary. This easy-pace walk shows a great snapshot of natural New England ecosystems and offers insight into how climate change can affect our natural areas. Walk held rain or shine, so dress accordingly.
What Voters Need to Know: Our Climate and the Elections of 2016
Gov. Michael Dukakis
3–4pm followed by reception, United Parish, 15 Marion St., Willett Hall
Can America break free of fossil fuels? Governor Michael Du-kakis steps up debate on the consequences of the fossil fuel industry’s face off with climate champions in upcoming elections. Shaped by candidates, parties, the press, money, activists and voter turnout, the outcome will determine policy for years to come. Tune in for a lively discussion.
Climate Week 2015 - "Stand Up Now for our Future". Brookline's 5th annual Climate Week offered inspired ideas and energetic thought leaders working toward renewable energy and climate justice, and away from fossil fuel dominance. Events were held February 2 - February 10, 2015; the full list is below.
Putting Money Where Our Future Is: Strategies for Divesting and Investing
Monday, February 2
Find out what you can do to challenge the fossil fuel dominance of our economy and climate future by making both ethically based and smart economic decisions now. Leaders from Divest Harvard, Fossil Free MIT and Ceres, a renowned Boston based sustainable investments pioneer, inspire individuals, institutions, and communities to make strategic investment decisions.
Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington Street
Sustainable Business Strategies: Lessons from Local Businesses & Non-Profits
Tuesday, February 3
Join Dennis Carlberg, Boston University’s Sustainability Director and Abe Faber, owner of Clear Flour Bakery and member of Local First and other businesses to share strategies about reducing your carbon footprint while increasing your bottom line. Sponsored by Newbury College.
Newbury College, 129 Fisher Avenue, Student Center Auditorium
On the Move: Innovative Ideas for Local Transportation
Tuesday, February 3
Special viewing of Power to the Pedals: Wenzday Jane and the Culture of Change, a compelling documentary by award winning filmmaker Bob Nesson. The film features the story of a human powered, Boston based, freight delivery business and the woman behind it. Then transportation thought leaders open a discussion about oppor¬tunities, issues, infrastructure, and regulations needed to build a better future. Whether you walk, bike, take public transportation, drive a car, or envision ways to grow green jobs, get inspired to make change and take action.
Coolidge Corner Theater, 290 Harvard Street. Admission free. Donations welcomed.
Community Solar! Opportunities to Grow and Share Solar Gardens
Wednesday, February 4
Community Shared Solar is ideal for those who don’t have a sunny roof, renters, houses of worship, non-profits, and businesses. Costs have come down on photovoltaic technology and solar renewable energy and generous incentives and attractive financing are now available. Panelists include: Thomas Vitolo, Synapse Energy; Emma Krause, Mass. Dept. of Energy Resources; Lisa Raffin, Sunbug Solar; James Nail, Pres., Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light.
Main Library, 361 Washington Street, Hunneman Hall
Adapting to Climate Change: Is Brookline Ready?
Thursday, Feb. 5
Many communities are already planning to become more resilient to extreme weather events, sea level rise, and other effects of climate change. The panel will present various aspects of adaption as it relates to Brookline and Greater Boston. Martin Pillsbury, Environmental Planning Director, Metropolitan Area Plan¬ning Council; Alan Balsam, Brookline Public Health Director; Tom Brady, Brookline Conservation Director; Jim Newman, Principal Linnean Solutions LLC.
Main Library, 361 Washington Street, Hunneman Hall
Brookline Commission for Women – Children’s Clothing Drive
Friday, February 6-7
Support the Commission’s 6th Annual Drive. Small children often grow out of their clothes long before the clothes wear out. Join our yearly reuse initiative by donating clean and wearable children’s clothing and shoes appropriate for ages zero to 5 years old. Newborn items especially needed. As always, we also accept nonperishable food, toiletries, and diapers for the Brookline Food Pantry.
Public Safety Building, 350 Washington Street
3R Depot: Pitch In to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Saturday, February 7
Come to Climate Week’s hub for climate education, action, and fun. Visit a tiny Solar House in the parking lot, pick up used sports gear, donate and drop off eyeglasses, cell phones, chargers, Styrofoam, pack¬ing peanuts (collected separately) and bicycles even if they need repair. Bring a copy or camera photo of your electric bill to join the Green Up Your House with the Click of a Mouse local renewable electricity campaign. Bring papers to be shredded and stay for activities for kids, sustainable fare at the Depot Food Court, and information about cutting home energy costs, composting, pay-as-you-throw recycling, gardening in containers and more. Visit 3R Depot Stations inside and outside Town Hall.
Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington Street
What Does Parking Have to Do With It?
Saturday, February 7
Join Jason Schreiber from Nelson/Nygaard and other experts to learn about the wide-ranging impact of parking policies on our community. Find out how parking reform can achieve diverse community goals such as greater mobility, improved parking availability, more parks, affordable housing , and cleaner air.
Main Library, 361 Washington Street, Hunneman Hall
Sunday, February 8
The Muddy River Project: From Olmsted to the 21st Century
A walk led by Fran Gershwin, chair, Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC) will articulate project objectives: flood control and climate change mitigation, water quality improvement, enhancement of aquatic/riparian habitat, landscape and historic restoration and best management practices and end with warm beverages and an overview of the project in construction from upstairs at the Landmarks Building.
Meet at the Longwood Green Line T Stop, Chapel St.
Sustainability Day at the Rink
Join Brookline Recreation at the Jack Kirrane Rink to skate and see how the rink goes green! Skate and find out about choices that make a difference and reduce your fossil fuel emissions in your everyday life.
Jack Kirrane Rink, Larz Anderson Park, 15 Newton St.
Global Warming, the Crisis of our Time and the Carbon Tax Solution
Don Hnatowich, Citizens Climate Lobby, 350MA, and Climate Reality Project, presents the unfolding of the climate crisis and what you can do about it. Jessica Langerman, Pres. Climate XChange, explains why climate solution-oriented economists agree that a revenue-neutral carbon tax is the best solution.
Coolidge Corner Library, 31 Pleasant Street, Meeting Room
For Pete’s Sake
Add your voice to new and old songs Pete Seeger would want us to carry on in his name. Learn sim¬ple ways to continue his environmental legacy. Join singer and guitarist Alan Balsam, who also serves as Brookline Department of Public Health Director, for an inspiring sing. Enjoy sustainable refreshments.
Coolidge Corner Library, 31 Pleasant Street, Meeting Room
Green Up Your House with a Click of a Mouse: Mothers Out Front Campaign Kick Off Party
Join the Brookline team of Mothers Out Front, CAB, and community leaders as we launch our new campaign with a mid-winter mingle. Enjoy refreshments and music and learn about Mothers Out Front and the movement to switch 1,000 Brookline residents and businesses to Boston based, renewable green electricity. It’s the easiest and fastest way to significantly reduce your carbon footprint. It takes only 5 minutes and a picture of your electric bill! In the side room we’ll show the movie “Disruption”: inspiration for you to tip the balance toward a clean energy future.
Brookline Teen Center, 41 Aspinwall Avenue
Germinating Social Change: How Ideas Grow and Spread!
Monday, February 9
MIT professor and author, Alex Pentland discusses his book Social Physics and its relevance to the climate movement. His work taps “big data” to decipher patterns that show how ideas spread through social networks and ultimately drive human behavior.
Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington Street
Broken Cities: A Game to Test Your Climate Adaptation & Mitigation Solutions
Tuesday, February 10
Eureka Puzzles hosts a game night in collaboration with Brookline’s Economic Development Division. Will you be a polluting, profit chasing slumlord, or a green-minded real estate mogul? The choice is yours. Sustainable snacks sourced locally. Limited Seats! RSVP to amartineau@brooklinema.gov by January 30 to secure yours.
Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington Street