Boston Climate Change Rally

Carrick and I went to the climate change rally this last Saturday in Boston, and we were invited to speak to the crowd about our cross-country eco-video project as an example of one family's action for change. Representatives from many nations are meeting in Poznan, Poland to lay the foundation for the next climate change treaty after the Kyoto Protocol. Greenpeace organized rallies in cities across the U.S. to show support for the new treaty - in Boston we all met at Faneuil Hall in front of the Sam Adams statue, where there were a number of speakers, then we walked over to Boston Common for a group picture. Here's a picture of Carrick and me waiting to speak: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darenfiske/3089149702/

I spoke first for a minute about our cross-country video project and our plans to distribute it to science teachers nationally to use as a resource to teach about renewable energy and sustainable living. Carrick spoke briefly with this message:

"I have a message for the leaders meeting in Poland: the choices you make now will affect my future. Don't pass the issue of climate change onto us kids. Be bold. The young people of the world are counting on you."

Carrick and I visited several places last week to promote our cross-country eco-video project: We spoke in the auditorium at Bancroft School in Worcester to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, then again for the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. They were a great audience and we had a great time showing some of our videos and answering questions from the kids. I dropped by Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston with our veg-oil powered Beetle to show to the Energy and Conservation class. Carrick and I also gave a brief presentation of our project for the Mass. Climate Action Network steering committee, working to gain support from MCAN for our project and hopefully some more speaking opportunities with chapters in Massachusetts.

Be well,

Colin

Vegan on the Road

We've had a full week to report on!

Carrick and I did two presentations in the last week; one at Grafton High School and also to the Boston Vegetarian Society. At Grafton High we spoke in the auditorium and showed the kids some of our videos and talked about our cross-country video project. We also talked about how much of a hot topic sustainability/ renewable energy is on college campuses, and how attractive it would look on those college applications to have done that kind of work at Grafton High. At Boston Vegetarian Society we talked to an enthusiastic crowd, met some great people, and enjoyed a yummy vegan buffet at Grasshopper Chinese Restaurant in Allston.

Speaking of eating vegan, one of the challenges of our cross-country journey will be finding vegan and veg-friendly places to eat on the road. Fortunately, there are great online resources for veg travelers at http://www.vegdining.com/ and http://www.happycow.net/. They list vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly restaurants state-by-state, with user reviews. There isn't going to be room to pack much food in the Beetle, so we'll be eating out much of the time. There are great veg restaurants all over the U.S. that we've heard about, and now we'll have our chance to visit them!

We have a new video up about what we've done to make our house more energy efficient. Carrick talks about insulation, sealing air leaks, programmable thermostats, etc. The link to the video is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLAdv7h3AzE

This Sunday (November 16) I'll be attending the Massachusetts Climate Action Network conference at MIT in Cambridge. I'm looking forward to meeting folks there and continuing to make connections in the environmental community!

Be well,
Colin