A big THANK YOU to our 2019 participants, volunteers and supporters!
There was a record turnout of over 350 people at this year’s Climate Action Convention!
The opening general session began with a Welcome to the Land and opening prayer by Candace Penn of the Squaxin Island Tribe, followed by Mayor Cheryl Selby’s Welcome to the City of Olympia, and a rousing speech by Representative Beth Doglio. Watch the Opening Session here (video by Ed Ericsson)
A delicious assortment of locally sourced, climate-friendly vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free refreshments were served throughout the day. During the lunch period, attendees had the opportunity to socialize, visit sponsors‘ tables, and view the electric cars on display.
The thought-provoking Keynote Address by Derek Hoshiko, from For the People (watch on YouTube, video by Ed Mays) was followed by pledges by local elected officials and candidates not to accept campaign contributions from fossil fuel corporations.
Thirty-two concurrent workshop sessions covered several of the areas identified by Paul Hawken in the book Drawdown, The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, as well as a strong advocacy track from Citizens’ Climate Lobby and sessions on Education and Youth.
Several sessions were videotaped, and many speakers have provided copies of their presentations, handouts and other resources. 2019 Session Videos and Resources are available here.
During the final general session, local attendees attended Climate Action Groups that met again on May 11 to continue taking action on climate. At the same time, Citizen’s Climate Lobby members, who came from all over Washington, attended their State Chapter Meeting. Representative Denny Heck made a surprise appearance to talk to CCL members about the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act which CCL has been advocating for and he recently cosponsored (watch on YouTube, video by Ginny Lohr).
The day ended on a light note with songs by the Raging Grannies.and the performance of the play “The Folly of Frack.”
Let’s keep the momentum going from the convention!
Climate Action Groups have formed on the topics of Advocacy, Climate Education, Energy, Food and Agriculture, Green Buildings and Cities, Transportation, and Trees. If you would like to join a climate action group, please fill out this survey to let us know which group(s) you are interested in joining, and about the skills and interests you bring to this effort, and we will follow up with you. More information about these groups can be found on the Climate Action Group page of TCAT’s website.
The 4th Annual South Sound Climate Action Convention was brought to you by:
With support from our generous sponsors, including:
And many more:League of Women Voters of Thurston County, Nativis Inc, Olympia Food Co-op, South Sound Solar, Artisans Group, Black Hills Audubon Society, Carnegie Group of Olympia, Climate Solutions, Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team, Dr. Helen Wheatley, Intercity Transit, Jim Lazar, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, Northwest EcoBuilding Guild, Olympia Safe Streets Campaign, Sierra Club South Sound, Small Planet Supply, Thurston Environmental Voters, Washington Environmental Council.