Let's Kickstart the Climate Conversation

By Maurice Carter, Sustainable Newton President

Full disclosure:  I'm going to ask for money.  So, I owe an explanation of why you should give to Sustainable Newton.  But, if you're in a hurry or already convinced, just visit our Giving page.  Or look for more information on how to contribute, become a member, etc. on our Connect page.

For those still reading, I've got good news and bad news.  But, we can do something about the bad, which is why we need your help.

The good:  Every day, more Americans agree climate change is happening, that it's caused at least partly by human behavior, and we need to do something about it.  This is true even in Newton County, where the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication published the following findings about climate attitudes:

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• 68% (above the national average of 67%) believe global warming is happening and 57% are worried about its effects.
• 69% say environmental protection is more important than economic development.

The bad:  Only 30% of people say they discuss global warming at least occasionally.  And, that's a problem!  Of all the things we can do address climate change, encourage sustainability, and create a better future for our children, none are more crucial than kickstarting the local conversation.  This website, this blog, our social media presence, our email newsletter, and the events we host regularly -- these are how we elevate the conversation here at home.  To be honest, we're going to do that stuff with or without you.  But, your money, ideas, time, and passion make our reach so much greater.Maybe you already know our history and what we've been up to.  But, maybe you don't...  As with any grassroots organization, it's difficult to say precisely when Sustainable Newton was born.  Legally, we incorporated in October 2018, established bylaws and a board of directors in April 2019, and received our 501(c)(3) approval from the IRS in September 2019.  That's one story.

But, for the people who are Sustainable Newton, there's much more to it.  We trace our roots together to multiple like-minded conversations in recent years about climate concerns and a strong, shared desire to "do something!"

Our first something as Sustainable Newton was a March 2018 screening of the documentary film "Chasing Coral" at Oxford College, for the Atlanta Science Festival.  With hundreds of attendees and a round-table afterwards with scientists, activists, and participants in the film, it was a worthy debut in the community.

By the summer of 2018, we were partnering with local and statewide stakeholders to develop a solarize program launched last September.  The Solarize Newton-Morgan campaign runs through December 31 this year, but has already added 85 kilowatts (kW) of residential solar capacity in the area and prompted policy changes in the City of Oxford and the City of Covington to make solar installations more affordable.  Sustainable Newton Vice President Theodosia Wade explained the program and recapped highlights in a recent blog post.

This year, we've hosted other film screenings and discussions -- most recently "The Human Element" and "Paris to Pittsburgh" -- to keep the dialog alive and growing.  On November 21, at 6 pm, as part of the Climate Reality Project's "24 Hours of Reality" event, we will be give a presentation on the climate crisis, what it means in our everyday lives, and solutions already in our hands..  Learn more on our calendar and in the press release.

Going forward, the possibilities are limitless.  Sustainability cuts across nearly every phase of our lives:  our food supply, drinking water, energy sources, transportation system, development and land use, solid waste management, etc.  We want to make an impact on all of these areas.  To do that, we need your help.  So, again, please visit our Giving page, get involved on our Connect page, or donate directly now using the button below.

On behalf of our board and the future generations we're working for today, Thank You!