A Time to Focus, A Time to Connect
By Melissa Everett, Executive Director, SHV
August, 2024
Gearing up for Hudson Valley Climate Solutions Week+, amid the most consequential election season of our lives, I find myself ruminating on what’s important and what’s more important. Our team at Sustainable Hudson Valley gets heavily into nurturing the partners who have produced over 60 events a year – last year including outdoor theatre, EV test drives and a biochar tour. We hope that this proliferation of learning and connection opportunities builds support for strong policies and helps towns build momentum for their climate tech projects.
This year is unique. The 2024 election could put wind in the sails of the strongest climate policy package in history, or could throw it into chaos. The Hudson Valley has three highly contested Congressional Districts (17 – 19). Climate Solutions Week + simply has to bring that reality to the top of as many minds as possible. We do not want to wake up on November 6 with regret for what we did not get done.
So please, if you are full tilt boogie getting out the vote, do not feel obligated to produce an earnest little event. But if this September period of bringing people together can reinforce the connection between climate and democracy, we hope many organizations will find creative ways to do that. If we can create opportunities to bring people together that send them off activated, that is the win.
Sustainable Hudson Valley intends to use Climate Solutions Week + as a springboard for a season of inspiration and activation.
In early October, we will be offering a workshop for young people to imagine the future of our political culture by imagining scenarios.
From October 22 through the election, we will be working with the Environmental Voter Project to get out the vote in those three critical districts.
After the election – mid-November – we will be holding several community gatherings for open, facilitated conversation on the reality we find ourselves in and how to lean into the future we want.
So I offer up a few ideas for Climate Solutions Week activities that might move some needles:
Top of the list is a review of the Inflation Reducation Act and how it has driven climate investment – not to mention practical tips on how to utilize it to save in the transition to electric heating, cooling and power.
We know there will be at least one Energy Coach meet-up to help home-owners (and renters too) de-fossilize their lives.
Can we have a few EV Ride and Drive events with the most popular cars today?
Which school district is up for hosting an electric school bus show-and-tell?
Looking ahead to the election, are we all feeling ready to encourage our networks to vote with climate in mind? Can we support Citizens Climate Lobby’s smart project to get more people talking about the climate crisis?
Anyone thinking about leadership and how to be our strongest selves in this moment? Who would be inspiring in a round table conversation?
What are our towns already doing? How about a webinar highlighting creative local laws and projects?
And how many fabulous buildings have been constructed in our region using little or no fossil fuel and showing off cool tech? Tours please!
We are on a wild ride right now. Climate Solutions Week + will be a force for coherence, fresh ideas and higher-impact action.