April 2021
Zoom meetings continue — Making a difference from right there in your easy chair!
SW Donation to Grow Local Greenwood Lake. On behalf of SW, Michael and Julia presented Chad a check for $1,000.00 for the new Greenwood Lake Community Garden. Chad conveyed his thanks and reported that wood chips, fencing and soil were being acquired. Chad needs help developing the garden -- all volunteers welcome and he will approach students and the Scouts. Future plans include a shed and a pizza oven! To get involved, email GrowLocalGWL@gmail.com.
Zoom Garden Plot - Chad reported that Zoom Garden Plot will take place the second and fourth Mondays of the month. This will be widely promoted via beautiful flyers (thanks Christy!) to be posted in the libraries, Post Offices, garden shops and popular hangouts. The flyer is below. For more information reach out to Chad: GrowLocalGWL@gmail.com
Triple Win Campaign - Michael updated us on the Warwick Triple Win Community Solar Campaign. Six Warwick Not-for-Profits are now participating: Family Central; Grow Local Greenwood Lake; Safe Space America; Warwick Historical Society; Warwick Valley Humane Society; and Warwick Valley Community Center. The Village of Warwick will join our campaign to earn a grant through the Clean Energy Communities program. The launch event will be a webinar held on May 11th with Albert Wisner Public Library. For more information: CleanEnergy@sustainablewarwick.org
Green Screen - Bill G confirmed that the three current candidates for the School Board have been interviewed and reports will be available soon. Four new candidates are running, and these will be contacted this week for Zoom interviews. Sustainable Putnam has asked if Sustainable Warwick can help them start their own green screen. Contact Bill for more information: drwsg123@gmail.com
Riverkeepers Cleanup - Christina reported that the upcoming event on May 1st with Riverkeepers to clean waterways should probably be cancelled as none of the locations seem to need clearing. This is possibly because of the reduced usage of the Ballpark. Approval for this decision was requested, and Christina will coordinate this decision with Riverkeepers, The Village, the Town and the volunteers. Emma will work with students in Green Future, possibly going to another location.
Off Fossil Fuels - The CPV monitoring work continues, but nothing super polluting has been found yet. Additional equipment to measure pollution levels will be installed. 28 Communities have spoken out against the proposed Danskammer fracked gas power plant, and SW members were among the hundreds of citizens who spoke against the plant at recent DEC hearings. Contact Bill: drwsg123@gmail.com
CLCPA Update - The CLCPA goal is to reduce NYS emissions to 60% of 1990 emissions by 2030 – the same as the Paris Climate Accord. The DEC is still calculating what current emission levels are, so it isn’t clear how much more progress will be required. But, the Climate Action Council is compiling suggestions for the Scoping Plan to help us reach that goal.
Please call your representatives in the state legislature about the Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA: S4264A/A6967). This bill is the funding necessary for implementing the CLCPA, so it is very important. Contact: SteeringCommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
Book Club – Our last book, The Parable of the Talents, had mixed reviews, but we had a good discussion. The next book is “Our Only Home: a Climate Appeal to the World,” by the Dalai Lama and Franz Alt. More people are joining the book club -- a welcome development. Questions or want to receive the Zoom invitation? Contact: BookClub@sustainablewarwick.org
Discussion Topic - Media Outreach on Environmental Issues. We had a great discussion about what to be communicating about environmental issues and how to communicate it. Look for more media outreach from SW in the future. Interested in helping? Contact: SteeringCommittee@sustainablewarwick.org.