Climate Updates for November
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Don't Vote for 9, Vote for Ben!
This year there are 9 people on the ballot running for the MV Commission. The ballot says vote for 9, but it is important to know that Tisbury has 3 candidates and only 2 can have elected seats. Ben Robinson is one of the 3 Tisbury candidates and is running against two other popular commissioners. He has been the voice for climate at the MVC and plays an absolutely critical role in getting this work done. Strengthen your vote by ONLY voting for Ben! Because of the way the numbers work, most other (non-Tisbury) candidates will get their seats automatically and every vote for other candidates potentially diminishes Ben's ability to get elected.
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100% Renewable MV Passes Unanimously in West Tisbury!
On Oct 6th West Tisbury showed its commitment to climate action by supporting the 100% renewable non-binding resolution, making it the first town to adopt the electrification and renewable energy goals drafted by the Vineyard Sustainable Energy Committee. Aquinnah will vote on November 14th. If you live in Aquinnah please attend your town meeting and support the resolution. If you live in another town help your VSEC members get the resolution on your spring warrant so that we see these goals reflected island-wide. Read more about it here, and in our blog as well.
photo credit: MV Times
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Oak Bluffs - Come Vote!
November 14, at noon,
OB School Cafeteria
If you are an Oak Bluffs resident please attend your Fall Town Meeting to support Oak Bluffs' effort to become a Green Community! The Planning Board and Energy Committee have worked tirelessly towards achieving this designation. West Tisbury and Vineyard Haven have been part of this state program since 2012 and were joined by Aquinnah and Chilmark at the beginning of 2020. To qualify as a Green Community, towns are required to adopt a five-year plan to reduce municipal energy use, and allow for expedited permitting of alternative energy projects. The Town will also have to adopt the Stretch Building Energy Code, which increases energy efficiency standards for new construction. You can read more about Oak Bluffs' plan here. Green Community status makes the Town eligible for funding to improve the energy efficiency of their municipal buildings -- a necessary step in reducing our carbon footprint and becoming more climate resilient.
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Look at Our MV Times Climate Box and Take Action!
Thank you to the MV Times for hosting our Climate Solutions box every other week. Please look for this and point it out to others! The climate box outlines steps each of us can take. In an effort to learn how our community is engaging with these suggested actions we are asking people to please visit our website and click "I Took Action" when you have completed one of our tips.
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Tisbury Examines Options
in the
Face of Sea Level Rise
Tisbury recently heard the results of a study that analyzed how to protect the town's shoreline as climate change brings higher seas, deeper floods and more intense storms. The report was funded largely by a grant from Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and suggests the creation of coastal dunes, the elevation of Beach Road and the installation of culverts to control water flow and reduce flooding. The Vineyard Haven waterfront already experiences flooding and is a critically important resource for the entire Island as our only year round port, as well as the most expeditious route to the hospital for many. You can read MV Times coverage of the study presentation here.
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New ICAN Film -
Climate Change, Fishing, Farming and MV
If you have not had a chance to see it, please visit our website and watch our new film featuring local farmers and fishermen reflecting on how the changing climate is impacting their lives, their livelihoods and our Island.
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Use Your Climate Voice at the Ballot Box ~ and Get Out the Vote!
It probably goes without saying, but if you have not already, please make sure you VOTE on November 3rd. Encourage friends and family to do the same. Is there someone you can help get to the polls? Do you have time for some last minute phone banking? Some potential phone banking opportunities are listed below:
Nextgen Wisconsin
JoeBiden.com
Turnout 2020
Indivisible Chicago
This is our time to exercise our power and vote for our future.
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THANK YOU!
For being part of the Island climate action movement.
Please share our newsletter with friends and encourage them to join our mailing list. The broader our network, the stronger our voice, the more significant our actions.
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