Getting Ready: York residents show their climate commitment at fair - Seacoastonline.com

Getting Ready: York residents show their climate commitment at fair

The Climate Action Fair, sponsored by York Ready for Climate Action, the York Energy Steering Committee and the York Recycling Committee, was a great success! Many thanks to all who volunteered, planned, donated, and came out for the fair. Thanks to Hannaford and Anthony's for donating food, and to Mr. Fox, Sea Hill Farm Alpacas and event sponsors for donating door prize items.

Many York residents seem eager to do their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the fair provided a one-stop-shop for learning about home electrification and weatherization (heat pumps, heat pump hot water, insulation, solar panels, electric vehicles and beyond). Commercial vendors filled the auditorium lobby, while nonprofits and sustainable living groups set up in the adjacent multi-purpose room. York residents with personal experience upgrading their homes with heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle charging were on hand to talk to participants about their experience.

The York Energy Coaches, a program of York Ready for Climate Action, had a table to lend experience, share rebate information from Efficiency Maine and federal programs, and offer free coaching services to the community.

Not only did over 200 residents attend the fair and talk to vendors, but nonprofit representatives, vendors and business owners had a chance to get to know one another and find common ground. All of these groups will play a key role in reaching the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in York — 50% by 2030 (in seven years!). Key to reaching this goal will be the kind of connection and potential collaboration that is facilitated at an event like the Climate Action Fair.

Popularizing efficient electric alternatives to gas and oil was a major goal of the Climate Action Fair. In keeping with that goal, door prizes were awarded, including two electric lawnmowers and a home energy audit. Participants had a chance to test drive electric vehicles and electric bikes, while also learning about rebate programs that make them more affordable.

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The fair also aimed to start conversions about the climate crisis and steps we can all take to be a part of the solution. Green activities for kids and the broad range of groups represented were meant to create a big tent to welcome many different people into the conversation.

Madeline Bugeau-Heartt is a divinity school student interested in the emotions caused by the climate crisis and the devastation of the natural world. Bugeau-Heartt is planning a workshop series at the York Public Library in the fall and had a table at the fair to gauge interest and promote the series. Recounting her experience as a fair tabler, Bugeau-Heartt said “It was humbling and exciting to connect with folks and realize just how much knowledge around climate change—with all its complexities and intersectionalities— already exists within our community. It was also invigorating to see how ready folks are: to share their stories, to imagine ourselves into a better world, and to make meaning together out of these deeply uncertain times."

We hope the fair will be one of many events to help each of us do our part to find climate solutions - in our homes, in our community and beyond.

Marina Mails is executive director of York Ready for Climate Action, a 501(c)3 nonprofit in York, Maine and grassroots organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the causes and effects of climate change, and advancing environmentally friendly and inclusive policies and behaviors.