No one can do everything. But everyone can do something. And, together we can do more.
Fall Climate/Sustainability Speaker Series planned
The MICG will host a series of free monthly public talks on climate and sustainability issues this Fall. Speakers include Bill Henley, Professor of Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution; Brooke Edmunds, Ph.D., (Community Horticulture) with the OSU Polk County Extension Service; Gina Carter and Cindy Bethel, Third Act Corvallis climate activists and organizers; and Joshua Brandt, Owner, Brandt’s Sanitary Service, recycling and waste disposal specialist.
The topic of each talk will be announced in our next newsletter. Meanwhile, save the dates of Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10 (second Thursday of each month), and plan to attend an informative address and discussion at the Monmouth Senior/Community Center, 180 Warren St. S., Monmouth, from 7:00-8:30 pm.
Notice: Climate change remains the key issue of our time
With everything else going on, climate activists are still focused on our planet, home to the human race: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/01/democrats-climate-policy-hushing
MICG volunteers help Monmouth develop Climate Action Plan
The City of Monmouth wants to do its part in the global effort to slow the advance of harmful climate change. To that end, the City Council instructed its staff to form a Climate Action Plan Advisory Group comprising staff members, a representative from WOU, and MICG volunteers living in Monmouth.
Meeting monthly, the group discusses topics such as land use and transportation, buildings and energy, consumption and waste management, ecosystem stewardship and preparations for climate emergencies such as extreme heat waves, wildfire encroachment and floods. The group’s goal is to propose a series of practical actions and policies that will both reduce Monmouth’s contributions to climate change and improve the city’s ambience and livability.
Because of overlapping government functions throughout Polk County, Monmouth’s plan will affect the surrounding area and communities. Therefore, many subscribers to this newsletter who do not live in Monmouth will be affected. Once the draft plan is in place, there will be a call for wider public input. The MICG will keep our readers informed of future developments.
MICG Climate Café open to all on August 13
The successful climate café series will hold another meeting August 13 at the Monmouth Senior and Community Center. Throughout 2026, MICG has hosted these monthly public “sharing sessions” centered on the emotional aspects of the climate crisis. These climate cafes will be offered in the future, although the next date and details are pending. Stay tuned to our newsletter for details about the new plans as they develop. We encourage anyone curious about these Climate Cafés to check one out.
Books About Climate Change
August’s reading: SAVING US: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katharine Hayhoe.
Climatologist, Evangelical Christian and Chief Scientist for the Nature Conservancy, Hayhoe makes the case for realistic optimism in our era of alarming possibilities. Explaining how her faith inspires her scientific work to “save the planet,” she writes that, “Hope is something we can practice daily,” while urging informed activism.
Ongoing Activities
Attend our monthly online meeting: Join our Climate Group’s next regular online planning meeting at 6:00 PM, Monday, August 10. These “business meetings” focus on policy issues and task distribution for our group’s activities. If you want to attend, please send us an email and we will send you the link.