HANOVER, NH—in response to the growing awareness of global warming as a critical concern facing the planet and the region, the Upper Valley Land Trust and Vermont Earth Institute will sponsor a community discussion course entitled Global Warming: Changing CO2urse. The first session of the course will be Thursday, February 26th, from noon to 1:15pm at the Upper Valley Land Trust, 19 Buck Road, Hanover. The course will run for a total of four consecutive Thursdays.Global Warming: Changing CO2urse offers citizens opportunities to learn more about the history and science of global warming, and explore personal values and habits as they relate to climate change and consider actions to curb global warming. Participants meet weekly to discuss selected articles and consider personal lifestyle choices as they relate to climate change.
“The Vermont Earth Institute encourages everyone to use their individual and collective power to shape an effective response to climate change,” says Barbara Duncan, VEI's Upper Valley Coordinator. “Global Warming: Changing CO2urse is a tremendous opportunity for citizens to gather to consider the implications of global warming, and more importantly, to explore ways in which to take action.”
The Upper Valley Land Trust has begun to brainstorm ways to encourage course participants and other interested parties to continue their engagement in fighting the causes of global warming in the Upper Valley. Recently, spikes in costs of petroleum products have wreaked havoc with budgets of school districts, commercial businesses, farms, and individuals. Earlier this year, it was difficult to find wood pellet stoves or even wood stoves due to increased demand. People throughout the region are considering a variety of alternative methods of home-heating. While the area experiences a small reprieve of exorbitant heating costs, there is no better time to investigate alternative ways to provide for the future.
Following the Global Warming: Changing CO2urse, UVLT will continue to investigate the relationship between energy and environmental stewardship by examining the impacts and opportunities of woodheat and biomass consumption. How can our region’s forest resources be used more sustainably for fuel and carbon sequestration? Contact Pete Helm, UVLT Vice President for Stewardship with comments or thoughts about this initiative at 603-643-6626 x104 or via email at peter.helm@uvlt.org.
Global Warming: Changing CO2urse is one of seven courses offered by Vermont Earth Institute. Since 2000, VEI has helped more than 500 study groups across the state to gather in homes, community centers, work places and faith centers to engage issues such as voluntary simplicity, living sustainably, and raising healthy children in a consumer culture. To register for this course and obtain the course book anthology ($25), contact the Nora Doyle-Burr at the Upper Valley Land Trust at 603-643-6626 ext. 102, or noradoyle-burr@uvlt.org.
