2024 Cape Cod Coastal Resilience Week | |
June 8 - June 15, 2024
Communities across Cape Cod are improving their readiness to weather natural disasters and environmental change. Our ability to withstand and "bounce back" after events such as hurricanes, coastal storms and flooding is called coastal resilience.
Join our friends and community partners at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) for this exciting and educational week on Coastal Resilience. From a Guided Climate Walking Trail in Woods Hole and a Climate Anxiety Workshop to Resilience-themed pub trivia night and a Film screening in partnership with the Woods Hole Film Festival, these are important events you will not want to miss!
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June 15, 2024 | 11AM - 1PM
Cape Cod and Massachusetts are ready for offshore wind! Through responsible development and authentic community engagement that empowers community members, we can aid and accelerate the transition to this renewable energy.
This family friendly event will bring together folks across the Cape to celebrate and connect with each other, learn about the facts of offshore wind, and the role it will play in fighting the climate crisis.
Please register for early access to details!
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Utilizing our own collaborative verbs, here are some suggestions on how Cape Codders can contribute to building a more sustainable future:
Educate and Communicate: Join the Cape Light Compact for one of their upcoming Energy Education Sessions! Discover community initiatives, energy efficiency programs, and homeowner incentives like heat pump rebates, weatherization incentives, and residential solar options.
Act: Join APCC's Native Plant Sale on Friday, June 7th! This is the perfect opportunity to purchase native perennials at Bud’s Go Karts located at 9 Sisson Rd, Harwich Port.
Convene and Collaborate: Mark your calendars for our 6th annual NetZero 2024! This conference will bring together climate leaders to focus on solutions for reducing carbon emissions.
Advocate: Attend a town meeting and speak up about environmental issues that are important to you!
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July 18, 2024 | Location: Cape Cod Community College, Tilden Arts Center Auditorium
The Net Zero conference brings together climate leaders to focus on solutions for reducing carbon emissions, strengthening regional resilience to climate change impacts and building a net-zero, decarbonized future. The event will feature educational sessions, inspiring keynote speakers, and networking opportunities across industries.
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Cape Light Compact Energy Education Series | |
Join Compact staff to discover their community initiatives, energy efficiency programs, and homeowner incentives, including heat pump rebates, appliance rebates, weatherization incentives, home energy assessments, and the Mass Save Heat Loan. Tax incentives and residential solar options will also be discussed.
The presentations, with time for attendee questions, are free and don't require registration. Dates and locations are listed, and for those unable to attend, information is available at CapeLightCompact.org or by calling 1-800-797-6699.
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Chatham's Coastal Resilience: A Call to Action | |
Experts at a recent Earth Day forum highlighted the urgent need to prepare our shoreline for the impacts of climate change. Janet Williams, , Conservation Commission Chair and Clerk for the Climate Collaborative, and Natural Resources Director Greg Berman emphasized community efforts, data-driven projections and nature-based solutions to address rising sea levels and powerful storms.
“Climate change is not only a motivator to action, it also opens opportunities,” said Williams.
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TAKE ACTION NOW!
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Stay Informed and Engaged: Follow local and state initiatives on coastal resilience.
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Support Nature-Based Solutions: Advocate for and participate in shoreline vegetation projects.
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Promote Adaptive Management: Encourage the use of innovative, flexible approaches to coastal protection.
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Push for Regulatory Change: Support common sense bylaw changes and collaborative regional efforts to strengthen coastal regulations.
Together, we can protect our shoreline for future generations. Read a recap of the Earth Day forum here.
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Climate Change Impacts and Resilient Landscapes
Climate change has brought record temperatures, rising oceanic temperatures and loss of sea ice, accelerating threats like heatwaves and significant coastal flooding.
But within these challenges lies an opportunity for action. Traditional landscapes contribute to our carbon footprint, especially lawns with gas-powered equipment and nitrogen-based fertilizers.
The solution? Embrace climate-resilient landscapes with native species that mitigate emissions, conserve water and support biodiversity. From white oaks to American Holly, native plants offer sustainable alternatives. Transitioning entails reimagining our outdoor spaces, managing rainfall with rain gardens and integrating aesthetics with environmental sustainability.
Join APCC's Native Plant Sale on Friday, June 7th! This is the perfect opportunity to purchase native perennials at Bud’s Go Karts located at 9 Sisson Rd, Harwich Port.
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Partner Spotlight
Cape Light Compact | Maggie Downey
Earlier this month, the Climate Collaborative got an opportunity to catch up with Maggie Downey, Compact Administrator for the Cape Light Compact.
CC: Can you briefly provide an overview of CLC's mission and its role in our community?
MD: Cape Light Compact is a nationally recognized award-winning energy services organization operated by the 21 towns on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Our mission is to serve our 210,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy and renewable competitive electricity supply.
Most people know of us through our incentive programs and our state-wide brand Mass Save, which help customers make energy efficient upgrades to their home or business, or if you are an electric customer on the Cape the Compact is, by default, who you purchase your electricity from. Behind the scenes, we also advocate for Cape customers at the state level to make sure they receive representation on matters that may affect them as electric customers.
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CC: How does CLC collaborate with local businesses and residents to achieve its goals?
MD: Residents and businesses are our partners in creating a more energy efficient Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard! We offer all of the tools to help them become more energy efficient, but it is up to them to take action. Of course, our team will be there along the way to provide guidance and answer questions.
CC: So, how can they get started?
MD: The first step everyone should take is to get a no-cost energy assessment. The Compact will send an energy specialist to your home or business, and, after the assessment, the specialist will provide a personalized list of recommended efficiency upgrades. Customers can access the Compact’s incentive programs to help cover some or all the cost of making energy efficient improvements. The Cape Light Compact’s offerings are updated regularly to meet the changing needs of our customers. If it has been a few years since you have had an energy assessment, it may be time to each out and schedule again!
CC: Looking ahead, what upcoming projects or priorities is CLC focusing on to further its impact on energy conservation and environmental sustainability on Cape Cod?
MD: Looking towards the future the Compact is transitioning from energy efficiency assessments to decarbonization assessments. The Compact recognizes that each customer decarbonization journey is unique and Compact staff are available to discuss the tools available to customers that will assist them as they begin to decarbonize their homes and businesses. The Compact will also continue its focus on serving Environmental Justice Communities, communities that have historically been hard to reach, or which there are close to 50 on the Cape and Vineyard. We want to make sure that everyone has access to our programs and there are energy efficiency solutions for everyone.
Additionally, the Compact is always looking to expand its program offerings to meet the needs of Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard residents. At the end of 2023 we launched the Cape and Vineyard Electrification Offering (CVEO) program which helps income-qualified customers residing in deed restricted properties to electrify their homes by offering financial incentives for heat pumps, induction stoves, and solar installation. We are also launching a new low-interest solar loan program this fall, more details to come soon!
CC: What role does the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative play in your work at the CLC?
MD: The Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative has been an important partner in the Compact’s work. Given the Cape’s unique environment there are many organizations working towards similar climate goals. It is great to have the Climate Collaborative working to connect us all and make sure that we are not working in silos. They have also allowed us to tap into their network and help spread the word about our programs.
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Lower Cape TV: Earth Month Featured Stories | |
Our friends at LowerCape TV have put together an Earth Month 2024 collection of stories, celebrating Cape Cod's stewardship of our planet.
From a story on plastic bag bans and seed sharing libraries to the Truro Community Kitchen switching to reusable meal containers and bags—it is inspiring to see how our community adapts!
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Massachusetts Housing & Climate Innovation Center
The Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative is pleased to partner with the Massachusetts Housing & Climate Innovation Center (MassHCIC) and serves as their fiscal agent until MassHCIC obtains 501(c)(3) status. MassHCIC, founded through a collaboration between the Homebuilders and Remodelers of Massachusetts and the Climate Collaborative, is an important local organization addressing climate issues.
MassHCIC is currently preparing for their inaugural “Cape Cod All-Stars Program,” where they selected eight undergraduate and graduate students to work as embedded housing and climate researchers for eight weeks this summer. Each student will advance an individual research project proposed during their application. They will also work with Cape Cod Commission staff and a local town to identify housing and climate challenges, catalog natural resources and identify municipally-owned properties for field testing and demonstration projects.
The All-Stars' work aligns with MassHCIC's mission to use Cape Cod's resources to support innovations addressing regional challenges and to promote solutions for broader adoption.
In the spirit of highlighting MassHCIC’s crucial efforts, this article by The Commonwealth Beacon offers some good information about statewide efforts for decarbonization of Massachusetts’ housing supply.
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New HeatRisk Forecast Tool Helps Mass. Prepare for Intensifying Summer Heat |  | |
Earlier this month, The Boston Globe highlighted a new HeatRisk Forecast Tool developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which provides detailed heat forecasts and health guidance ahead of what is expected to be a particularly hot summer. The tool predicts heat-related risks up to seven days in advance, using a color-coded scale from green (no risk) to magenta (extreme risk). It integrates temperature forecasts with health data to assess potential impacts on vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children and those with pre-existing health conditions. Users can input their zip code on the tool's website to receive personalized heat forecasts and safety tips for their specific location.
Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of heatwaves, leading to increased risks for heat-related illnesses and deaths. Massachusetts, like many other states, is experiencing these effects, with rising temperatures posing significant health risks. This tool aims to help residents and health officials in Massachusetts and across the U.S. prepare for extreme heat events and mitigate their health impacts. It also provides information on air quality and advice on how to stay safe during periods of high heat​.
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Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Hosts 102nd Annual Meeting | |
On Wednesday, June 12th, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce will host its 102nd Annual Meeting at the Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port. This event will feature a keynote address by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.
Governor Healey, renowned for her dedication to environmental issues, will highlight Massachusetts' innovative climate initiatives. Her keynote address will delve into her recent participation in a global climate summit at the Vatican, where she shared the state's groundbreaking efforts in combating climate change.
This annual meeting is not just a reflection on the past year's achievements but also a vital step towards building bridges for positive change in our region. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation and contribute to Cape Cod’s sustainable future.
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We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is reduce the Cape & Islands' contributions to climate change and protect our region from its potentially devastating impacts.
We depend upon the generosity of our stakeholders to conduct our work. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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We welcome climate news from your home, school, business, town, faith community, or organization. Please submit your news, events, or article ideas to info@capecodclimate.org. | | | | |
