Climate Cafes

CLIMATE CAFES CREATE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER TO SHARE THEIR CONCERNS AND TO FORM A PLAN OF ACTION TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

The Clean Energy Team has held regular “climate cafe” events to build community and help inform ourselves about the impacts of climate change and the actions we can take to reduce those impacts.

NEXT CLIMATE CAFE: TUES. FEB. 17 2026, 6:30-8 p.m. Dr. Peter Palmiotto, Antioch New England Graduate School: “The Ever-changing Yet Resilient Forests of Mt. Monadnock“. Heberton Hall, Keene Public Library

Mount Monadnock stands alone as the prominent peak, icon in our region. Its human-caused bare summit provides dramatic views of and off the mountain. As constant as the mountain is, change is also constant on Monadnock. Across all temporal scales Monadnock reflects change.  It’s diverse forest communities are changing, yet are resilient in the face of our changing climate. Come learn about Monadnock’s changing forests across many temporal scales, its response to human and natural disturbances (2008 ice storm) and how a changing climate may impact Monadnock natural communities.      

Past climate cafes:

Sun. 4/14/24: “Climate + Faith” climate cafe, conceived and hosted by the United Church of Christ in Keene’s Creation Justice Team, Keene’s Clean Energy Team, and the Monadnock Interfaith Project. Notes from that panel:

• 1) We don’t have a climate problem – we have a people problem.
• 2) A key is to dispel the illusion of separation, and focus on interconnections, mindfully attending to creation’s song and creation’s cry – for the sake of transformation.
• 3) Green Muslims’ declaration on climate is a shining example
• 4) We each (and collectively) have the power to heal damage
• 5) A key is to put our faith into action
• 6) A key is our kinship with creation, and learning our place within it
• 7) Let’s be like geese: teaming up, and taking turns in the lead
• 8) Let’s connect social justice with climate justice
• 9) There’s no one who will come after and repair what we destroy; it’s our responsibility
• 10) Indigenous insight calls us to take care of creation