No one can do everything. But everyone can do something.
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 consisting of 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.
Climate Café series ongoing
Each month, we host a free, public “Climate Café” at the Monmouth Senior/Community Center, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on the second Thursday of each month. These gatherings focus on our emotional reactions to the climate crisis. This summer’s Cafés are June 11, July 9 and August 13.
Please join us and feel welcome to bring a friend.
Books About Climate Change
June’s reading: ZEN AND THE ART OF SAVING THE PLANET by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Zen Master and internationally renowned author, scholar and activist, Thich Nhat Hanh was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King, Jr. In this poetic appeal to humanity’s better nature, Hanh writes, “When you wake up and see that the Earth is not just the environment, the Earth is us, you touch the nature of interbeing. We have to wake up together. And if we wake up together, then we have a chance.”
Weaving ancient Buddhist teachings and tales with practical strategies for fighting climate change, Hanh adds a spiritual dimension that deepens our sense of hope and strengthens our resolve to work for a better future for Earth and humanity.
Ongoing Activities
Attend our monthly online meeting: Join our Climate Group’s next regular online planning meeting at 6:00 PM, Monday, June 8. These “business meetings” are focused 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.