Fall 2014 Newsletter
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Change
Dear Change Leaders,
It has been a stunning fall here in Vermont. The leaves are yellow, orange and red and have populated the woods with their awe-inspiring beauty. It is a gift to be amongst this splendor. It is also very good for Vermont’s economy and for that we are grateful, as visitors who come to enjoy the natural beauty bring much needed revenues.
We have been blessed this summer and fall with intermittent rain and sun. If anything, we have had too much rain, reminding many of us of the floods and destruction that Hurricane Irene caused in 2011. People here fear too much water. How we wish we could send some of this water to California, which we know is struggling from drought. On both sides of the country, we are feeling the effects of climate change.
Meanwhile, numerous members of the Sustainability Leaders Network have been active in climate change work, from participating in the People’s Climate March in New York City (and around the world), to creating inspiring videos, to publishing on adaptation and mitigation strategies. This newsletter documents some of these efforts.
Thank you for all that you do to help stabilize our climate and make the world a more sustainable place!
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iAct Dialogues for Sustainability: IUCN World Parks Congress Webinar Series
We encourage you to participate in our iAct Dialogues for Sustainability Webinar Series – youth to elders are all welcome! The iAct Dialogues are interactive, global webinars that inspire intergenerational discussion and collaboration on sustainable planetary futures. Our first webinar was on 16 Oct and future events are on 14/15 Nov and 11 Dec 2014. Learn more and join our webinars live!
"Restore My Climate" Video by Jenna Rice Wins 3rd in National Competition
Restore My Climate invited young people in grades 5-12 to create compelling videos about real solutions to climate change. They write that "We believe that youth have a unique ability to educate their peers and community while inspiring real change.”
Jenna, a homeschool student from a small town in Vermont, reflects: "The thing that I found most exciting about making this video was how many people saw it and were inspired by it. I know that people from as far away as Germany, Pakistan and Indonesia have seen it. I also really enjoyed bringing my passions for music, photography, and writing together." Read more and view Jenna's video.
Biomimicry Breathes Life into Science Education: Free Toolkit
SLN’s Learning from Nature: A Course in Biomimicry has been featured in a fantastic new resource for K-12 educators developed and compiled by the Biomimicry Institute.
The free digital flipbook, called Biomimicry in Youth Education, is filled with more than 80 nature-inspired lesson plans, activities, and videos geared to K-12 educators. Read more and download your copy of the biomimicry toolkit!
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Diverse Community at People’s Climate March
By Johanna Bozuwa, Earth Day Network and former SLN Intern
“Take action now!”
“Our future, our choice.”
Signs and energy surrounded me as I readied myself on 77th Street and Central Park West for the People’s Climate March. Laughs echoed from kids dancing to drums while volunteers held out posters for us to hold. We were marching in anticipation of the UN Climate Summit happening in New York City that coming week and the impending Treaty to hopefully be signed in Paris, France in 15 months. Read Johanna's full article.
Jay Mead with Bread and Puppet at the People's Climate March
By Jay Mead, SLN Director of the Art of Sustainability
The Peoples’ Climate March in New York City was the first time since the late 80′s that I carried a puppet for Bread and Puppet in a protest setting. The march was dedicated to climate change and the collective outrage of 400,000 folks who want a sustainable future for all life as we know it. Read more about Jay's experience! |
US National Climate Assessment Launch
Fellow Susi Moser contributed to the launch of the 3rd US National Climate Assessment at the White House. Among a team of over 300 experts, she was Convening Lead Author for the Coastal Zone Development and Ecosystems chapter. The launch was streamed live and recorded by C-SPAN.
On a panel that was asked “What keeps you up at night?” and “What gives you hope?,” Susi first speaks about the combination of climate change impacts and vulnerability of small coastal communities and then makes a rousing case for the human spirit as “the most important factor… in getting us onto a different path.” Read more and view two videos of Susi leading up to and at the White House launch.
Adaptation to Climate Change through Water
Taking a systems approach inspired by Donella Meadows, Fellow Dominic Stucker and Elena Lopez-Gunn co-edited a case study volume for Earthscan / Routledge entitled “Adaptation to Climate Change through Water Resources Management: Capacity, Equity and Sustainability.” The project received seed funding from Brown University and involved 45 early career and senior contributors from across disciplines and from around the world. Fellow Danielle Hirsch co-contributed case studies on Ghana and Peru. The volume offers practical insights into high leverage adaptation options for practitioners and policy makers. Read more and get a reduced rate on the book here! |
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