Climate Action Crew - Book Discussion

Summary: Join a discussion group, reading 2040 Handbook, to learn how to reduce your climate impact and create a personal five-year climate action plan.

Description

CREW means Carbon Reduction for the Earth's Well-being. Join a CREW group to discuss 2040: A Handbook by Damon Gameau that gives "ideas, advice, and inspiration for creating a brighter, better world."

You already know climate change is affecting lives all over the world and right here in Boxborough. Perhaps you're frustrated, overwhelmed, or don't know where to start. As friends and neighbors, we can help each other to create our own five-year Personal Climate Action Plan.

Challenge: We are headed toward raising global temperatures beyond what life can sustain. We must prevent global warming from reaching more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. By 2030, our goal is 50% carbon emissions reduction.

Solution: Work with a small team using 2040: A Handbook to set goals for changing habits, saving money, and connecting with like-minded people.

The group meets for five 90-minute sessions at the Boxborough Library or on Zoom. The Library lends 2040: A Handbook to participants.

To join a group that is forming, contact marjoriek@comcast with your desired time during hours the Library is open. Be sure to put 2040 in the subject line.  When 6 people can be grouped together, a CREW course will be launched.

Deep Dive

Damon Gameau wrote the 2040: A Handbook based on Paul Hawken’s  Regeneration Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation, available also on the website Regeneration.org. 

Spoiler alert: The basis of the discussion group is short talks which Paul Hawken has also laid out at: https://www.onecommune.com/regeneration-free-5-day-pass-sign-up

Why CREW? Carbon Reduction for Earth Wellbeing

• Two thirds of all greenhouse gas emissions originate at the household level. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at a press briefing on the UN Environmental Programme, said that “urgent action from the whole of society” is needed. Noting that two-thirds of global CO2 emissions are linked to households, he underscored that “people’s choices matter.”
• Concerned individuals want to take action.

2040 CREW Syllabus focuses locally, using 2040: A Handbook

• Test Knowledge
• Assess/measure personal Habits 
• Provide information and resources (book, movie, YouTube)
• Encourage alternative personal practices  (Change Habits)
• Share ideas
• Prepare a 5-year Personal Climate Action Plan (PCAP)
• Reassess/project impact of changed habits 
• Monitor, support, and update PCAP
• Enter your climate action results into the Energize Boxborough Website!

Personal Climate Action Plans Address

• Energy
• Transportation
• Consumption
• Drawdown/sequester
• Food and food waste
• Water
• Education

Create your own Personal Climate Action Plan! For more information, contact Marjorie Kamp (marjoriek@comcast.net) who is leading this effort with our Boxborough librarian. Be sure to put 2040 in the subject line.

Steps to Take

1. Sign up for the discussion group which will be guided by reading 2040: A Handbook and by creating your Personal Climate Action Plan (PCAP).
2. Send an email to the instructor marjoriek@comcast.net with "2040" in the subject line. Instructor will reach out to you when she gets 6 interested students to determine preferred times and dates.
3. Sign up for a home-energy audit through either MassSave, if you use natural gas, or LELD, our electric light company.
4. Use the carbon calculator on Energize Boxborough to determine where you can make a difference.
5. Get going to meet the challenge and have fun doing it!