Turning Point: Climate Week 2017

As a designer and urbanist since 1999 and contributor to Tactical Urbanism guides, Russell Preston will discuss the book, Tactical Urbanism: Short-Term Action for Long-Term Change by Michael Lydon and Tony Garcia. Tactical urbanism is an approach whereby quick, low-cost, creative community-based projects can to lead to public and government support for permanent inspiring projects that improve urban living and promotes action from the bottom up when strategies and policies from the top move too slowly. How this and other urban approaches can be applied to climate change will be compared.

Do you think about working for climate service and justice but want to know how to get started or continue to engage given what we now face? Climate leaders Anne Goodwin and Ben Hellerstein present TED talk style presentations about their own personal journeys into the climate movement. Following the presentations we will break into small groups and explore ways to deepen our commitment to address climate change personally and in society.

Refreshments 6:30-7pm Program 7-8:30pm

Local climate initiatives are the roots of broader political action. Gas pipeline leaks are mobilizing active citizens at the town level across the Commonwealth. Hear about about what is being done to identify and mitigate the worst gas leaks. Learn about townwide net zero goals being applied to schools and individual buildings. Find out how Somerville incorporated climate change into urban planning. Discover how these efforts came to be and what level of success has been achieved. Discuss in group sessions how you can contribute to that effort.

Join for refreshments 5:30-6 pm. Program starts promptly at 6 pm.  
NOTE: Enter through the main Beacon Street entrance (Hooker Entrance).  Door closes at 7pm.

We can affect our state’s energy outcomes for years to come and work for an impactful 2017. Find out how statehouse legislative leaders, staff, and citizen groups are fighting for this year's climate bills. What are the bills? What has worked so far and why? What can we do right now? Learn how to apply tools to power Massachusetts and the nation forward. Help keep our state in the forefront of climate action.

Co-hosted by the office of Representative Frank Smizik and Climate Action Brookline.

In Where To Invade Next, Michael Moore goes on a European invasion, looking for ideas that he can steal and bring back home. He finds social norms in foreign cultures that would seem bizarre to many Americans but which have American roots. The contrasts are entertaining, but they also raise moral questions and challenge U. S. social convention. Time to Choose, on the other hand, points to the role of technology in stopping climate change. But is a transformation in American life style, western values, and sense of community not also required? We will discuss the messages of these two films with Dave Pantalone of Climate Action Brookline and the Green UP Team of United Parish in Brookline.

Want to make bicycling part of your daily routine? Brookline is improving safety for bicyclists. Join our tour of recent and planned bicycle infrastructure improvements. Riders high school age and older. About 8 miles. NOTE: Due to inclement weather, this tour has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 8, same time and meet up location.

LEARN ABOUT: the new Pay as You Throw trash program, bike safely in Brookline, progress in fixing gas leaks, emergency preparedness and more.

SHARE: recycle your cell phones, eyeglasses, soda pull tabs. PICK UP: used sports gear at the Annual Sports Gear Exchange. You can drop off your gently-used sports gear with the Brookline Recreation Department through March 28th.  Check this flyer for details.

LISTEN: The library’s Book Bike and story hours.

MAKE ART: Brookline Arts Center recycled materials event

EAT: at the Carbon Cafe and learn about the hidden environmental costs of your food.

TRY OUT: drive an electric car (bring your driver’s license).  Unfortunately, electric cars not available due to impending inclement weather.

DONATE: old bicycles to Bikes Not Bombs.

BRING: paper for shredding $5/box.

Unfortunately, no styrofoam collection this year.

Join budding scientists, artists, and performers as they step up to the challenges brought about by climate change using nature inspired innovation in art and science. Brookline students from K-12 crank up their creativity to address problems of our changing climate using biomimicry, eco-art, and more. You be the judge!

Young people ​have been advocating for climate change action and getting standing ovations all over the country. ​A short video of work from many corners of the United States will be followed by a lively discussion with a panel of local youth activists who describe their path to activism and current work. The discussion will include audience participation and will end with concrete suggestions for taking action today! Suggested audience ages ages 8-25

A walk led by Fran Gershwin, chair, Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC), will start at the Longwood T Station, and follow the Brookline side of the Riverway to Leverett Pond in Olmsted Park. The focus will be on the Brookline features of Phase 2 of the Project and current project status. The event will end with refreshments in the lobby of the Brook House, 33 Pond Avenue.

Join Brookline Park Ranger Alex Cassie for a guided walk through D Blakely Hoar Sanctuary, one of three nature sanctuaries in Brookline. The sanctuary showcases a wetland environment and unique rock formations and is home to a diverse population of plants and animals. This easy-pace walk through a picturesque New England ecosystem offers some insight into how climate change can affect our local natural areas. Walk will be held rain, snow or shine, so please dress accordingly.

Human behavior has so impacted our global ecology and climate that scientists have declared we are in a new era of planet history. What do we know about this new era? What can we do given the politics our nation faces? This forum highlights essential actions to direct the zeitgeist. Break out into small group discussions following the presentations.

Come for refreshments 2pm  Program 2:30-4PM

Want to make bicycling part of your daily routine? Brookline is improving safety for bicyclists. Join our tour of recent and planned bicycle infrastructure improvements. Riders high school age and older. About 8 miles.