Climate Change and Energy Workshops
Climate Change and Energy Workshops
Workshop One: 100% Renewable Communities
Lead by Ben Hellerstein, Environment Massachusetts
What will you learn?
What policies and programs can be adopted at the city/town level to move closer to 100% renewable energy?
How can organizing for clean energy at the municipal level can enhance democratic control of our energy system and equitable access to clean energy opportunities?
Which other grassroots organizations have campaigned to adopt these policies in their communities, and what have the results been? (in terms of policy outcomes as well as organizational capacity-building)
What resources (fact sheets, webinars, sample resolutions, etc.) are available for local activists to advocate for a clean energy future in their communities?
Workshop Description:
With the federal government moving in the wrong direction on clean energy and climate change, it's up to local communities to lead the way forward. In our cities and towns, we can take major steps towards a 100% renewable energy future, while promoting democratic participation in our energy system and equitable access to clean energy opportunities like solar and energy efficiency. At this workshop, we'll share examples of New England communities that have committed to a goal of 100% renewable energy and adopted specific policies and programs to move closer to that goal. We'll also share a toolkit recently released by the Mass Power Forward coalition with fact sheets, sample resolutions, and other resources to advocate for a clean energy future in local communities.
Speaker Bio:
Ben Hellerstein attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN, and first became involved in grassroots organizing while working on a campaign to ban Bisphenol-A from children's products. After graduating, he worked on environmental campaigns in Los Angeles, DC, South Texas, and Philadelphia, before moving to Boston four years ago to work with Environment Massachusetts. In his spare time, Ben enjoys getting out and exploring the Greater Boston area on foot, by bike, and by public transit.
Carol joined MCAN in 2014 after nearly a decade of working on climate for national environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation. She has managed regional campaigns, staff, and consultants and has focused on influencing federal climate change policy and increasing our use of clean energy from the pueblos of New Mexico to the towns and cities of New England. With her strong background in grassroots organizing and a history of working with communities to make positive change, she was drawn to MCAN's town-based climate organizing model. Carol holds an MBA in policy and planning from the University of New Mexico and an undergraduate degree from Bennington College.
Lead by Ben Hellerstein, Environment Massachusetts
What will you learn?
What policies and programs can be adopted at the city/town level to move closer to 100% renewable energy?
How can organizing for clean energy at the municipal level can enhance democratic control of our energy system and equitable access to clean energy opportunities?
Which other grassroots organizations have campaigned to adopt these policies in their communities, and what have the results been? (in terms of policy outcomes as well as organizational capacity-building)
What resources (fact sheets, webinars, sample resolutions, etc.) are available for local activists to advocate for a clean energy future in their communities?
Workshop Description:
With the federal government moving in the wrong direction on clean energy and climate change, it's up to local communities to lead the way forward. In our cities and towns, we can take major steps towards a 100% renewable energy future, while promoting democratic participation in our energy system and equitable access to clean energy opportunities like solar and energy efficiency. At this workshop, we'll share examples of New England communities that have committed to a goal of 100% renewable energy and adopted specific policies and programs to move closer to that goal. We'll also share a toolkit recently released by the Mass Power Forward coalition with fact sheets, sample resolutions, and other resources to advocate for a clean energy future in local communities.
Speaker Bio:
Ben Hellerstein attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN, and first became involved in grassroots organizing while working on a campaign to ban Bisphenol-A from children's products. After graduating, he worked on environmental campaigns in Los Angeles, DC, South Texas, and Philadelphia, before moving to Boston four years ago to work with Environment Massachusetts. In his spare time, Ben enjoys getting out and exploring the Greater Boston area on foot, by bike, and by public transit.
Carol joined MCAN in 2014 after nearly a decade of working on climate for national environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation. She has managed regional campaigns, staff, and consultants and has focused on influencing federal climate change policy and increasing our use of clean energy from the pueblos of New Mexico to the towns and cities of New England. With her strong background in grassroots organizing and a history of working with communities to make positive change, she was drawn to MCAN's town-based climate organizing model. Carol holds an MBA in policy and planning from the University of New Mexico and an undergraduate degree from Bennington College.
Workshop Two: Transportation Cycling – A Liveability Solution and More
Lead by Robert T. Baker, Cycle Main Street
What will you learn?
Speaker Bio:
As a scientist and teacher Robert has experience teaching a variety of STEM topics to people of all ages. As a cyclist Robert is passionate about sharing the why, what, and how of transportation cycling. He has spent the last three years riding a variety of bicycles year round in New England, in all types of weather. In 2016 his car odometer recorded 1500 miles, an 80% reduction from his typical 8K to 13K miles in previous years. Robert replaced miles steering cars with pedal-power joy on bicycles.
Lead by Robert T. Baker, Cycle Main Street
What will you learn?
- The joy of bicycle riding. (who & why)
- Errands by bike – The what, when and how of transportation cycling
- Solution to more than pollution: What cycling provides. (who, where, why)
- Infrastructure for liveability: Resources and Implementations. (where & how)
Speaker Bio:
As a scientist and teacher Robert has experience teaching a variety of STEM topics to people of all ages. As a cyclist Robert is passionate about sharing the why, what, and how of transportation cycling. He has spent the last three years riding a variety of bicycles year round in New England, in all types of weather. In 2016 his car odometer recorded 1500 miles, an 80% reduction from his typical 8K to 13K miles in previous years. Robert replaced miles steering cars with pedal-power joy on bicycles.
Workshop Three: Community Supported Solar
Lead by John Kondos, Monadnock Sustainability Network
What will you learn?
How to pursue locally owned community solar in your community
Workshop Description:
The Monadnock Sustainability Network (MSN) is developing Community Supported Solar (CSS) projects based on the model pioneered at the Monadnock Food Co-op (Co-op). This approach retains tax, investment, energy and labor dollars in the community while providing access to solar for those who often lack access. MSN’s approach relies on a locally owned LLC that develops and owns the project and sells electricity to the host (Co-op) via a Power Purchase Agreement. The LLC sells the PV system to the host within ten years. Based on this initial project MSN has published the NH Community Supported Solar (NH CSS) Guide for others to use.
Speaker Bio:
John Kondos was a founder of the Monadnock Sustainability Network, Home-Efficiency Resources, Solar Source (now part of the Melanson Co.) and the Monadnock Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. John has installed PV systems on three continents and solar water heaters in MA, NH and VT. He received a Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA from Fairfield University. John is committed to working on solutions to our greatest challenge- climate change through energy conservation, renewable energy, land stewardship and putting a price on greenhouse gasses. In his free time, he enjosy hiking, skiing and kayaking.
Lead by John Kondos, Monadnock Sustainability Network
What will you learn?
How to pursue locally owned community solar in your community
Workshop Description:
The Monadnock Sustainability Network (MSN) is developing Community Supported Solar (CSS) projects based on the model pioneered at the Monadnock Food Co-op (Co-op). This approach retains tax, investment, energy and labor dollars in the community while providing access to solar for those who often lack access. MSN’s approach relies on a locally owned LLC that develops and owns the project and sells electricity to the host (Co-op) via a Power Purchase Agreement. The LLC sells the PV system to the host within ten years. Based on this initial project MSN has published the NH Community Supported Solar (NH CSS) Guide for others to use.
Speaker Bio:
John Kondos was a founder of the Monadnock Sustainability Network, Home-Efficiency Resources, Solar Source (now part of the Melanson Co.) and the Monadnock Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. John has installed PV systems on three continents and solar water heaters in MA, NH and VT. He received a Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA from Fairfield University. John is committed to working on solutions to our greatest challenge- climate change through energy conservation, renewable energy, land stewardship and putting a price on greenhouse gasses. In his free time, he enjosy hiking, skiing and kayaking.
Workshop Four: Democracy: Renewables for All
Lead by Laura Mistretta, Matthew Burke, and Emma Schoenberg from Rights and Democracy VT
What will you learn?
Provide a survey of the energy democracy movement, including its origins, principles and policies, and examples
Demonstrate through example the shortcomings of the existing approach to energy transition in Vermont
Propose next steps for advancing the energy democracy vision in Vermont and beyond.
Workshop Description:
How could an agenda for bringing power to the people serve to expand renewable development in Vermont and New England while ensuring a just transition to a fossil fuel-free future? The concept of energy democracy is increasingly being used by activists in the United States and around the world to call for policies that connect social justice and economic equity with action on renewable energy, climate, and environmental integrity. Communities, municipalities, trade unions, cooperatives and others are embracing this grassroots approach to change not only to change the type of energy we use, but how we use it, who benefits, and who decides. This agenda includes community-owned solar, micro-hydro and wind, the use of micro-grids, expanded net metering, and new financing models that allow more communities to reap the rewards of renewable energy. This workshop combines academic scholarship, real-world experience and climate justice activism to propose a practical vision for a democratized renewable energy future for Vermont and the region.
Speaker Bio:
Matthew Burke is pursuing a PhD in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences (Renewable Resources – Environment) at McGill University as a member of the Economics for the Anthropocene, examining the emerging social movement of energy democracy across northeastern North America. Matthew holds a Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Ecological Economics from University of Vermont, a Master of Arts in Environmental Education from University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from Ohio State University. Matthew is a Research Fellow at The Next System Project and a Graduate Research Fellow at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (U.S.). Matthew dedicates time to helping to raise two boys and to volunteering on energy-related issues locally.
Laura Mistretta is a member leader of Rights and Democracy VT, helping to lead the Jobs, Justice, Climate work and the energy democracy campaign. Laura graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy in 2014. In 2015 Laura graduated from Green Corps, field school in environmental organizing where she received extensive training and hands on experience working on environmental campaigns on issues ranging from the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms, conservation of public land, and strengthening the Clean Water Act. Laura worked as a field organizer for VPIRG on the Energy Independent Vermont Campaign seeking to put a price on carbon pollution and currently is the Resident Organizer for Vermont's Mobile Home Program which advocates on behalf of Vermont's mobile home park resident population. In her spare time Laura loves to cook, ride her bike and read.
Emma Schoenberg is a staff member and community organizer for Rights and Democracy (RAD). In her role, she is a lead trainer for RAD’s social change curriculum. She is a native Vermonter and graduate of the University of Vermont with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies. Previously, her work has been focused primarily on organizing in agricultural communities in Vermont. She was a field organizer for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group for their divestment campaign and other environmental work. For the past five years she has been engaged in fracked gas pipeline fights in Vermont as well as other grassroots campaigns."
Lead by Laura Mistretta, Matthew Burke, and Emma Schoenberg from Rights and Democracy VT
What will you learn?
Provide a survey of the energy democracy movement, including its origins, principles and policies, and examples
Demonstrate through example the shortcomings of the existing approach to energy transition in Vermont
Propose next steps for advancing the energy democracy vision in Vermont and beyond.
Workshop Description:
How could an agenda for bringing power to the people serve to expand renewable development in Vermont and New England while ensuring a just transition to a fossil fuel-free future? The concept of energy democracy is increasingly being used by activists in the United States and around the world to call for policies that connect social justice and economic equity with action on renewable energy, climate, and environmental integrity. Communities, municipalities, trade unions, cooperatives and others are embracing this grassroots approach to change not only to change the type of energy we use, but how we use it, who benefits, and who decides. This agenda includes community-owned solar, micro-hydro and wind, the use of micro-grids, expanded net metering, and new financing models that allow more communities to reap the rewards of renewable energy. This workshop combines academic scholarship, real-world experience and climate justice activism to propose a practical vision for a democratized renewable energy future for Vermont and the region.
Speaker Bio:
Matthew Burke is pursuing a PhD in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences (Renewable Resources – Environment) at McGill University as a member of the Economics for the Anthropocene, examining the emerging social movement of energy democracy across northeastern North America. Matthew holds a Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Ecological Economics from University of Vermont, a Master of Arts in Environmental Education from University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from Ohio State University. Matthew is a Research Fellow at The Next System Project and a Graduate Research Fellow at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (U.S.). Matthew dedicates time to helping to raise two boys and to volunteering on energy-related issues locally.
Laura Mistretta is a member leader of Rights and Democracy VT, helping to lead the Jobs, Justice, Climate work and the energy democracy campaign. Laura graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy in 2014. In 2015 Laura graduated from Green Corps, field school in environmental organizing where she received extensive training and hands on experience working on environmental campaigns on issues ranging from the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms, conservation of public land, and strengthening the Clean Water Act. Laura worked as a field organizer for VPIRG on the Energy Independent Vermont Campaign seeking to put a price on carbon pollution and currently is the Resident Organizer for Vermont's Mobile Home Program which advocates on behalf of Vermont's mobile home park resident population. In her spare time Laura loves to cook, ride her bike and read.
Emma Schoenberg is a staff member and community organizer for Rights and Democracy (RAD). In her role, she is a lead trainer for RAD’s social change curriculum. She is a native Vermonter and graduate of the University of Vermont with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies. Previously, her work has been focused primarily on organizing in agricultural communities in Vermont. She was a field organizer for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group for their divestment campaign and other environmental work. For the past five years she has been engaged in fracked gas pipeline fights in Vermont as well as other grassroots campaigns."