REVISED: June e-Newsletter | |
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Last week, we made the decision to postpone our Net Zero 2024 event to October 24th. This delay will enable us to offer you a more impactful experience when we convene.
Our focus will still be on providing actionable steps for you to make a difference in our community. In addition, the fall time frame will bring us several steps ahead in a coastal resilience pilot program, which we will be eager to share with you.
We are also pleased to announce that, in our effort to make this event accessible to all, the rescheduled conference will be free to attend. Those who have already purchased tickets will receive a full refund.
We will keep you updated on any important changes via email and social media. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing our findings and strategies with you soon!
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Massachusetts Sierra Club
Cape Cod Community Calls for More Offshore Wind at Global Wind Day Rally
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On June 15, 2024, around 100 people gathered at Craigville Beach, for the "Cape Cod is Ready for Offshore Wind Rally" to celebrate Global Wind Day and advocate for offshore wind energy. Speakers highlighted the benefits of offshore wind, including significant electricity cost savings, reduction in CO2 emissions, and public health benefits for New England. The rally featured remarks from State Senator Julian Cyr and other local leaders. The Sierra Club emphasized the importance of achieving the region's offshore wind goals for clean, renewable energy.
For more details, visit the Sierra Club's press release.
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Susan Starkey, Climate Collaborative Advisory Council member and co-founder & co-chair of Faith Communities Environmental Network (FCEN), pictured here speaking at Craigville Beach on Global Wind Day. | |
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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 Session! Discover community initiatives, energy efficiency programs, and homeowner incentives like heat pump rebates, weatherization incentives, and residential solar options.
Act: Are you an employer? Project Drawdown highlights how easy it is to implement minor workplace changes that significantly benefit the environment. Learn more about sustainable practices that can make a big impact at Project Drawdown.
Convene and Collaborate: Mark your calendars for our 6th annual Net Zero 2024 in the fall! 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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Cape Light Compact
Energy Education
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Saturday, June 22 | 11:00am-12:00
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.
This presentation, with time for attendee questions, is free and does not require registration. For those unable to attend, information is available at CapeLightCompact.org or by calling 1-800-797-6699.
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Farming Falmouth & FalCAN present Common Ground | |
Thursday, June 27th | 6:00-8:00pm
Join us to see Common Ground, winner of the Tribeca Film Festival Human Nature Award for solution-oriented environmental storytelling. Featuring Laura Dern, Woody Harrelson and others, this just released documentary exposes the money, power and politics behind our current food system. At the same time Common Ground gives us hope by highlighting the positive stories of diverse farmers using regenerative agricultural methods that will help save our soils, grow healthier food and benefit the environment.
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Daniela Leal of the Tribeca Film Festival says “Fighting against agrochemical business in favor of regenerative farming is presented as a clear, bipartisan necessity for the health of our country, its people, and our collective future.”
Join Farming Falmouth and the Falmouth Climate Action Network on Thursday June 27, 6-8:30 PM at the Falmouth Main Street Library. Stay for a discussion about regenerative practices and local farming. Capacity is limited to 60, so please register by emailing: FalmouthCAN@gmail.com with the subject line: Common Ground Registration.
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Empowering Offshore Wind and Electrification
MassHire CIWB 2024 Annual Meeting
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Earlier this month, our very own Climate Collaborative president, Dorothy Savarese, inspired attendees of the Mass Hire Cape & Islands Workforce Board’s (CIWB) 2024 Annual Meeting.
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Pictured here with Kara O’Donnell-Galvin, Executive Director of MassHire CIWB, Dorothy highlighted the exciting future of offshore wind and electrification jobs in our region, and the crucial role CIWB plays in helping fulfill these opportunities.
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Cape Cod Commission
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
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As an Economic Development District, designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), Cape Cod must develop and maintain a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) every five years. Led by the Cape Cod Commission, the next CEDS is under development and will be completed by June 2024.
The draft vision is: A strong and vibrant Cape Cod - a region that supports a resilient, inclusive, and diverse year-round community with access to housing options, high quality business, education, and employment opportunities, and thriving natural resources, building upon the historic and unique characteristics that have drawn people to the region for centuries. That’s something we can all get behind. Learn more here!
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Cape Cod Tech Council: First Friday
Featuring Judith Holt
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At the Cape Cod Tech Council's First Friday event earlier this month, Heritage Gardens Board Member and designer Judith Holt showcased how the nonprofit's conservation measures can be adopted by homeowners and business owners to improve their buildings' energy efficiency. Her insightful and inspiring presentation highlighted several practical steps we can all take to reduce our environmental impact. | |
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Mini-Split AC Maintenance
What, Like it's Hard?
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Earlier this year, the Boston Globe released an article on the “Hidden Costs of Having a Mini-Split Air Conditioning System.” As mini-split owners, we find the maintenance to be straightforward and manageable.
Cape Cod is humid, and mold and mildew are naturally occurring, so regular cleaning of any air conditioning unit is essential for maintaining good air quality. The fact is, you can either do it yourself or hire a professional service provider. Here are the steps for DIY maintenance:
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- Unplug the mini-split.
- Remove the system’s front panel.
- Wipe down the unit’s exterior surface with a damp cloth, then dry it with a dry cloth.
- Remove the mini-split filter and clean it with mild detergent and water.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to gently clean the fan blades and other accessible areas.

We perform this maintenance monthly during the summer and while the article portrays the process as overly complex, it's really quite simple. Most importantly, mini-splits are a much better choice for our environment.
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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. | | | | |
