The Political Climate: an ongoing commentary on the NH Primary and Climate Change

This just in from Zo Tobi and the Re-Energize NH march…

“2 days to go: growing the green economy

‘Welcome to Litchfield, walkers. Folks are talking amongst themselves.
Come back next year and see the fruits of your labor - you got all the local farmers to participate. Hoorah!’
- Liana Eastman, farmer, Nesenkeag Coop Farm…

When the heat neared 90, we set off, already sweaty but powered on by a good morning swim and early press coverage on NPR, international radio, and the front page of The Nashua Telegraph. As the temperature broke 100 degrees and our voices cracked from singing ‘Ooo, it’s hot out here’ perhaps too many times, Stonyfield came to the rescue with a donation of ice cream for lunch.

A few blocks and blisters later, we arrived in a very different place than where we had started – Manchester, or fondly referred to by many as Manchvegas, a business capitol for the state. There we were greeted by Representative Lilly Mesa and others who highlighted for us the importance of business in building a green economy…”

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This just in from Zo Tobi and the Re-Energize NH march…

“Yesterday, over a hundred people crowded before Nashua’s City Hall to kick off the March to ReEnergize New Hampshire, a walk from Nashua to Concord calling for national leadership on real global warming solutions and a clean energy economy. After today, only 3 days to go until masses of Granite Staters converge on the State House lawn to send this message.

After walking from Nashua to Litchfield yesterday, the marchers will finish today’s (Thursday’s) journey at Bronstein Park in Manchester at 7pm, to music by the Powerkegs and speeches by business and community leaders…”

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A few FOTPC’s were out having a good time at Crazy Hat Day on Bear Island last week taking pictures and holding “Stop Global Warming” signs with Governor Lynch.

Governor Lynch, a FOTPC himself, recognized the hard work of NH residents in June by issuing a commendation to the volunteers of the 164 towns that passed a climate change resolution this spring.  The resolution, which called both for national leadership on the issue and challenged towns to embrace energy conservation on their own, has energized NH residents about the serious need for action to combat climate change.  With over 70 energy committees now established around the state, NH residents are busy working with neighbors and municipalities to change light bulbs, use alternative fuels, conserve energy in buildings and the list goes on (check out the community toolkit to see what some communities are doing).

Heading south in the state, the Climate Summer group started their march to Re-Energize New Hampshire today in Nashua.  Zo writes “Today we kick off our march, with blessings from Nashua’s Mayor Bernie Streeter, State Senator Martha Fuller Clark, and two of the organizers of the Interfaith Walk for Climate Rescue down in Massachusetts this past spring.”  (Don’t forget to check out Zo’s blog for live updates from the march!)

As the group walks from Nashua to Concord, they will help NH further its message to all of the presidential candidates that climate change is important and that we need to hear what they plan on doing about it.  While the candidates are in NH (on our home turf) they need to be talking about what is important to NH voters - and whether we are wearing crazy hats or marching across the state, it is clear that climate change is at the top of that list.

Even as the presidential candidates do their level best, in bipartisan fashion, to take our attention away from things that really matter, the Local Energy Committees continue to work hard on the ground to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN and GET THINGS DONE.  This just in from Peterborough:

“Last night the Selectmen in Peterborough voted to endorse an initiative to reduce carbon emissions in town operations 5% by 2010. Nancy Gamble did a nice job presenting her town energy and emissions audit data and the Town Energy Advisory Group followed with a discussion of carbon emission reduction options. Hats off to the Selectmen, Rodney Bartlett, the head of DPW, and Nancy!   The plan is to continue to work closely with Rodney as well as collaborate with Monadnock Carbon Challenge to encourage a town wide 5% carbon emissions reduction target for local organizations and residents, ideally kicking off at the Monadnock Wellness Fair in September.”

(Did we ever mention that the first Peterborough petition signature in support of the NH Climate Change Resolution was that of Congressman Charlie Bass?)

The candidates would do well to reach out to the dozens of Local Energy Committee volunteers