March 2020
Sustainable Warwick Minutes
Wednesday March 18, 2020 - via Zoom
- Five students from WVHS attended the Youth Empowerment & Sustainability Summit at the Ashokan Center in early February, and several of them reported on the seminars, presentations and other activities they participated in. Here’s a link to the Google Slide show they prepared.
- TGTT and EarthFest 2020 have both been postponed, because of the need for social distancing. The Coolest Recycling Drive of 2020 has also been postponed.
- Earlier this month, Sustainable Warwick signed on to a letter from New Yorkers for Cool Refrigerant Management, supporting the adoption of Part 494 -- regulations that would phase in requirements for selling appliances and equipment with more environmentally friendly refrigerants. Reply to this email to learn more about the letter or to get details about signing up for a Zoom session on refrigerants to be held April 7 at 6 PM.
- Green Screen report by Bill Greene and Geoff Howard: They interviewed the candidates and wrote up summaries for three of the four candidates on the ballot, but one candidate on the ballot didn’t respond to a request for interviews. There were differences among the candidates. SW members got an email with the short write-up, and a link to the longer version. More members are asked to join the Green Screen, as a school board election will be upon us soon. To join the Green Screen Team, or to raise questions for school board candidates, reply to this email.
- The Off Fossil Fuels Committee is currently focussed on preventing the Danskammer Plant from being built in Newburgh. New members are sought for this committee.
- The month of April is the time for the Drawdown EcoChallenge. Michael Helme will be one of the co-captains for this year’s team. Much of the EcoChallenge takes place online, so for those of us who are spending more time at home, it’s a perfect opportunity to expand our knowledge of how to address the climate crisis. Reply to this email to get involved.
- Julia Calderon reported for the BYOBag Committee that the plastic bag ban seems to be working well in Warwick. Lots of people are seen in local grocery stores with reusable bags, and the stores have voluntarily adopted the five cent fee.
- Teresa Vela-Hayes has taken over the task of decorating the display space at Albert Wisner Library with sustainability messages. Thanks Teresa! When the library opens again drop in to see it.
- The Sustainable World Book Clubwill be meeting either outdoors or via Zoom on Tuesday, April 14th, at 12 PM. The club is reading Mama’s Last Hug, a fascinating read on emotions in animals. While the local libraries are closed, readers can either borrow a digital copy of this from the RCLS or from the New York Public Library (for the latter, download the SimplyE app).
- SW has a new color laser printer, and committees should take advantage of it when needed. Contact Christy Erfer with print requests.
- All SW committees are welcome to use the new SW Zoom account. Just check in with the Steering Committee for scheduling. sustainablewarwick5@gmail.com
- The Riverkeeper-sponsored watershed clean up at Memorial Park, May 2, has been postponed. New date TBA. As of now, the watershed clean up at Pacem in Terris is still scheduled for April 18 & April 19.
- The Community Garden is still meeting. Members are observing social distancing, but making progress on launching the garden. Next meeting is Sunday, 10:30AM - 11:30AM or so, at the garden. Email Geoff Howard for details.
New Business
- The SunCommon Climate Action Film Festival is going to be available online. Show times can be found here: suncommon.com/climate-action-film-festival/screenings/
- April 22nd is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Because of the need for social distancing, we’ll probably end up supporting online activities. Please stay tuned for updates on these plans.
- Chad Pilieri told us about free inspiring and informative online courses on environmental and climate issues offered by the Pachamama Alliance.
- Sustainable Warwick recently received a very generous bequest. We are starting a new Financial Planning Committee, which will have its first meeting via Zoom on Monday, March 23rd, at 7 PM. If you are interested in participating in the Financial Planning Committee, please reply to this email.
- Is 2020 the year for Victory Gardens? With people staying home and the outstanding benefits of doing things out of doors, we encourage everyone to grow as much food as they can at home.
How was the virtual meeting? Lots of thumbs up, with some room for improvement. If you want help with Zoom for participating in future meetings, please respond to this email.