No one can do everything. But everyone can do something. And, together we can do more.
Professor Bill Henley to kick off MICG Fall Climate/Sustainability Speaker Series
The MICG will host a series of free public talks by climate and sustainability experts this fall. The events, held at the Monmouth Senior Center, are at 7:00 PM on the second Thursday of each month.
Our first speaker (September 10) is Bill Henley, Professor Emeritus of plant biology, ecology and evolution, Oklahoma State University. Professor Henley emphasized the effects of climate change on vegetation while exploring these topics with his students. A Q&A session following his talk will give the audience an opportunity to discuss climate science and current climate developments.
Fall Speaker Series schedule (7:00-8:30 pm, Monmouth Senior Community Center; all talks free and open to the public):
Sept. 10: Climate Basics with Q&A — Bill Henley, Professor Emeritus of Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Oklahoma State University
Oct. 8: What’s your Garden Future? — Brooke Edmunds, Ph.D., Community Horticulture, Oregon State University Extension Service, Marion and Polk Counties
Nov. 12: Climate Action: National and Local — Gina Carter and Cindy Bethel, Third Act Corvallis climate activists and organizers
Dec. 10: Recycling vs. Landfill: The future of waste disposal in the Willamette Valley — Joshua Brandt, Owner, Brandt’s Sanitary, recycling and waste disposal specialist
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 safety, ambience, and livability.
Books About Climate Change
September’s reading: ACTIVE HOPE: How to Face the Mess We’re in with Unexpected Resilience and Creative Power by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone.
“Books about social and ecological change too often leave out a vital component: how do we change ourselves so we are strong enough to fully contribute to this great shift? Active Hope fills this gap beautifully, guiding readers on a journey of gratitude, grief, interconnection and, ultimately, transformation.” — Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine
This 2022 revised edition of the 2012 environmental/psychological classic includes refreshed content and new material to help environmentally concerned people feel reconnected with the Earth and others, and empowered to face today’s challenges.
Ongoing Activities
Attend our monthly online meeting: Join our Climate Group’s next regular online planning meeting at 6:00 PM, Monday, September 14. 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.