Monthly Meetings

Nurturing the Earth, One Water Bottle at a Time

Carolyn Anderson: My goal in climate work is to nurture the Earth and help to restore it. The work can be overwhelming, but I get a little sense of control by what I do in my own home. This presentation is not about doing everything, but about doing something.

Forever Green Initiative 

Mitch Hunter, Co-director of the Forever Green Initiative, University of Minnesota.

The Light Won't Dim

A 30-minute inspiring documentary entitled "The Light Won't Dim" explores the promise and urgency of solar power in a time of climate crisis. From Puerto Rico, where solar panels became a lifeline after Hurricane Maria, to New York City schools and small-town rooftops, the film shows how communities are taking energy into their own hands.

Minnesota Environmental Partnership: Working Together for a Healthy Minnesota Future Resistance: Video & Discussion 

Matt Doll, MEP's Operations and Engagement Director

The Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) is a coalition of more than 70 environmental and conservation organizations working together for clean water, clean energy, and protection of our Great Outdoors.

Recording Here Passcode: xcJya#60, includes two speakers from national ECA speaking about "Future Design"

Grandparents' Day Celebration

Our September meeting is always a special one as we celebrate Grandparents' Day with an in-person gathering.

With a focus on celebrating our elder role in preserving a livable planet for future generations and all life, we also present "The Good Ancestor Award" to deserving community-minded people.

Nonviolent Resistance: Video & Discussion 

Video with Erica Chenoweth

This meeting's speaker role will be the sharing of a video of political scientist Erica Chenoweth, famous for the 3.5% rule, on the topic of "The History and Practice of Nonviolent Resistance."  The speaker will unpack what makes a successful movement against authoritarianism and how nonviolent resistance can be used to uphold democracy.

From Fork to Forest: Why we can't solve the climate crisis without changing how we eat

Anna Larsson and Dr. Nicola Philpott

Nicola Philpott, PhD, is a Group Leader of the Minnesota West Suburbs chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.  

Anna Larsson spends her days working on strategy and finance in the corporate world, analyzing data and creating simple stories from complex information. 

The From Fork to Forest talk is a culmination of years of musing, reading, research and analysis.

Hennepin County Zero Waste Program

Amy Maas, Waste Reduction and Recycling Supervisor, Hennepin County’s Environment and Energy Department 

Throughout her work at the county Amy Maas has helped residents and businesses reduce waste and improve recycling practices through serving as a grant manager, coordinating the Zero Waste Challenge programs, and co-facilitating the Community Recycling Ambassador course. 

Watch the recording here: May 14 Recording with Amy Maas  Passcode: CNBb&8GG

More information:

• Earth Day video recognizing the benefits of the Hennepin County environmental programs to all residents

• Hennepin County Zero Waste Plan (PDF)

Hope and Perseverance—and Legal Wins—in a Difficult and Dangerous Time

Pam Vergun, Ph.D., M.P.A., Founder of Climate Change Recovery and Youth and Adults Acting for our Earth (YAE!)

Her children, Miko and Isaac, were the first youth leaders and are also two of the plaintiffs in the federal youth climate case, Juliana et al. v. U.S.

Accompanying material:

• Information about the legal issues: It's about the work of securing fundamental children's climate rights  

• The documentary

• Powerpoint from April speaker Pam Vergun

• Nice summary of legal issues

Why Nuclear?

Philip Hult, Generation Atomic      

Philip Hult is a promoter of the dual goals of expanding access to energy and reducing the impacts of climate change. He currently works to promote nuclear power through public engagement and addressing the equity challenges surrounding the long-term disposition of spent nuclear fuel. He serves as the Development Director at Generation Atomic and holds a Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Cambridge.

View the recording of our March Meeting featuring Philip Hult from Generation Atomic on the topic of Why Nuclear?

Passcode: G*$8n5#f

Note: Presentation begins at the 16 minute mark and ends at the 1:00 mark. Phillip generously stayed for an additional Q & A after our meeting and that can also be watched from 1:42 mark until the end of the recording.

ECA-TC Legislative Team 

Our Legislative Team, led by Paul Thompson, shared their work on the legislative & policy side of climate advocacy and led breakout discussions for how members could influence climate-related legislation & policy.

Thermal Energy Networks: A Neighborhood-Scale Solution for Heating, Cooling and Green Jobs

Ulla Nilsen, Unidos MN

Ulla Nilsen shared how Twin Citians, especially those in Minneapolis and St. Paul, can help advance clean energy in homes and buildings.

Defending the Boundary Waters against the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining

Amanda Hefner, State Manager, Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters

Amanda Hefner is the State Manager for the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, and runs the Outreach and State Legislative program. Her work involves building support for state legislation through strategic planning, lobbying, communications, and grassroots organizing. 

"How's the Water?  An overview of water quality in Minnesota”

Julie Westerlund, MN Board for Soil and Water Resources

Julie Westerlund provided an overview of the health of Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and groundwater, including some of the actions that state and local governments are taking to restore and protect our precious water resources and what we can do to help.

• Relevant website about Minnesota’s Climate Solutions  

Climate Action- Science to Planning to Implementation

Kate Nelson, University of Minnesota Office of Sustainability

Kate Nelson joined the UMN Office of Sustainability in 2023 after 15 years implementing this role at the University of Wisconsin.  Kate describes the real pride of her work as connecting sustainability initiatives to deep equity work and student need.  

Grandparent Month Celebration!

Our third year of transforming our September meeting into a celebration of  Grandparent Month.  

Climate Justice at work in Minneapolis Communities: The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) and the need for better waste policies

Evan Mulholland, Program Director, Healthy Communities Program -- Minnesota Center for Environment Advocacy

Evan's work at MCEA is focused on bringing legal analysis and resources in solidarity with organizations and coalitions working for Environmental Justice.

Climate Angst, Anxiety, Trauma for Radical Resilience and Regeneration and the Grammy Climate Ride

Donna Minter, aka, "Riding Grammy" 

A newly retired psychologist, Donna is embarking on a Big Hairy Audacious Goal to bicycle 3200-miles across America to raise awareness and funds for climate justice action organizations--a goal for her "rewirement."  She says, ”I’m doing this because I love outdoor adventures, I love the earth, I love being a responsible, caring elder, and I want to be a good ancestor for my grandchildren’s grandchildren.  

Biochar as Carbon Gold

Jim Doten, Carbon Sequestration Program Manager, City of Minneapolis   

Jim Doten has been a pioneer in municipal biochar use for the past 14 years in the Minneapolis Health Department.  During a year in southern Afghanistan with the Army National Guard as a Hydrologist on an Agri-Business Development Team that he first explored biochar to improve soil health and he has continued his journey ever since. He shared the benefits of this carbon-rich material that has the great potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon.   

MPR highlights his leading work for biochar here: Biochar: The Swiss Army Knife of Climate Tools

Elders Climate Action--the National View

Leslie Wharton, current chair of Elders Climate Action 

Leslie Wharton is a retired attorney from Bethesda Maryland and has been an active ECA member since 2015.  She shared how ECA has grown and evolved since 2014, how chapters coordinate with national campaigns, and how we can support each other to move into activism.

ECA-TC Legislative Team

With the Minnesota legislative session going strong until May 24th,  Paul Thompson and his team shared their experiences and work over the past year as they focus on a bipartisan approach, building relationships with legislators and increasing personal political skills and strategies.  They shared tips on how to get started, how to follow a bill and what support is helpful for the current bills. 

Meet a Local "Good Ancestor" and the Johnny Appleseed of urban farming in North Minneapolis

Michael Chaney is an activist, storyteller, poet and founder of Project Sweetie Pie, an urban farm training program for youth in horticulture, entrepreneurship and marketing. Michael works to develop visions for climate justice to inspire and motivate action towards a better, more just, environmentally sound future.  He shared his experiences over the decades in North Minneapolis and described his latest vision for sustainability and justice in his community: 2024/The Summer of Mutual Earth Concerns. 

Geoff Ainscow  "How to be a Good Ancestor"                      

Born in Manchester England, Geoff sailed to San Francisco in 1968 and worked in Silicon Valley in engineering and management.  At the same time, he also studied the human maturation process and state of life on planet Earth and has become a passionate advocate  for causes that benefit all life on the planet.  He is dedicated to helping humanity change its idea of growth from “get more stuff,” to “learn how to grow better and healthier relationships.”  Geoff is an active member of the Elders Action Network.

Finding our Roles as Good Ancestors in Tumultuous Times 

Constance Washburn, an educator, community organizer and program designer. She is also a founding member of the Elders Action Network and The Passageways to Elderhood Alliance (PEAL).   

 Wende Love, a Level II Purpose Guide, Founding Member of Passageways to Elderhood Alliance (PEAL) and Co-facilitator of Empowered elderhood Workshop offered through Elders Action Network (EAN).