Cooler Concord

All About Electric Vehicles
2023-12-07 00:00 - 02:00 (America/New_York)
All About Electric Vehicles is a single session offered by Concord Carlisle Adult and Community Education, which will be taught by Ed Quinlan.
The session will introduce you to the world of electric vehicles, including electric vehicle basics: how they work, how they differ from traditional internal combustion engine cars, and the environmental impacts. Learn about cost savings potential, maintenance requirements, range capabilities, battery charging, regenerative braking, and how to plan for long distance travel. Ed will also provide information on the future of electric vehicle technology.
There is a $29 fee to register for the course, which supports the instructor and CCACE.

Reducing Your Home's Carbon Footprint and Energy Usage
2023-11-15 00:00 - 01:30
Reducing your Home’s Carbon Footprint is a single session offered by Concord Carlisle Adult and Community Education, which will be taught by Mark Garvey.
Ice dams, uneven heating throughout your home, icicles and high energy bills can be symptoms of an imperfect thermal envelope in your home. Not sure what that is? Every home has one, and we’ll discuss how to identify and improve yours. From simple steps like caulking and weatherstripping to more involved projects such as air barrier installation, ventilation and insulating, this course will show homeowners steps they can take through the syllabus and project photos. Stopping air leaks (airsealing) is the most important part of reducing energy usage, and industry best practices will be discussed. Methods and materials for reducing heat loss through floors, walls and ceilings will be discussed, as well as strategies for determining air infiltration through the home’s thermal envelope.
There is a $29 fee to register for the course, which supports the instructor and CCACE.

The Future of the NMI/Starmet Site
2023-11-10 00:00 - 01:30 | Concord Town House, 22 Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts, US
The 2229 Main Street Advisory Task Force is hosting a hybrid public forum on November 9, 2023 at 7 PM – 8:30 PM at the Town House, Public Hearing Room, 22 Monument Square or on Zoom. The meeting will review the charge and work of the task force, outline considerations for possible reuse, answer questions and solicit ideas regarding the NMI/Starmet superfund site. More information can be viewed on the flyer here.
Zoom information for the November 9, 2023 meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87864402087?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 878 6440 2087Passcode: [REDACTED]
For further information, please visit: https://www.concordma.gov/2229main

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency held a hybrid informational public meeting on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at the Town House, Public Hearing Room, 22 Monument Square.

Climate Change and Our Health
2023-11-04 14:30 - 16:00
It’s Getting Hot in Here: Climate Change and Our Health is a single session offered by Concord Carlisle Adult and Community Education, which will be taught by Rebecca Woodward.
Man-made climate change is here. We feel it in hotter temperatures and many of us have seen the sky turn orange from wildfire smoke. Come learn about the many ways climate change is affecting our physical and mental health. This will be a user-friendly and interactive overview class supplying you with handy (sourced) facts and visuals, easy to share with your friends and family. The class will also cover real-world examples of climate change and health effects. Please note that this class will not debate man-made climate change. In addition to focusing on the health effects of climate change, we’ll cover some of the co-benefits of ending greenhouse emissions.
There is a $25 fee to register for the course, which supports the instructor and CCACE.

The Climate Crisis: What Climate Change Could Do to Our Planet, What Can We Do?
2023-10-19 23:00 - 2023-10-20 01:00 | First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd, Concord, First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd, Concord, Massachusetts, US
Speaker: Gilbert (Gib) Metcalf
Moderator: Peter Lowitt
It is clear to many that our worst fears about what climate change can do to our planet and to us are becoming a disturbing reality. We badly need to hear what can be done to address the growing impacts of global climate change and its role in exacerbating wildfires, hurricanes, rising sea level temperatures, and other destructive climatic events. That is the focus of this forum, featuring climate economist, Gilbert (Gib) Metcalf. Gib has written and spoken extensively on the economics of climate change and the effectiveness and socio-economic impacts of different policy approaches to eliminating our greenhouse gas emissions. Gib will be introduced by Peter Lowitt, who will act as moderator for the program. Questions and comments will be aired following Professor Metcalf’s talk. You may attend this event in person or on Zoom. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86552147277.

Gib Metcalf is a Professor of Economics Emeritus at Tufts University and a Visiting Professor at the MIT Sloan School, where he serves as an affiliate of the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEPR). In addition, he is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a University Fellow at Resources For The Future. Metcalf has frequently testified before Congress, served on expert panels for the National Academies of Sciences and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and as a consultant to numerous other organizations. During 2011 and 2012, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Energy at the U.S. Department of Treasury, where he was the founding U.S. Board Member for the UN based Green Climate Fund.

This event is a community forum hosted by the First Parish in Concord Environmental Team.

Electrifying Concord: Addressing Climate Change Through Policy and Practice
2023-10-17 12:00 - 13:00 | TriCon Church, 54 Walden St, Concord, TriCon Church, 54 Walden St, Unit (Hubbard St Entrance), Concord, Massachusetts, US
An important benchmark of making progress towards mitigating climate change is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and Concord is no exception. The electrification of buildings and transportation – two sectors responsible for approximately 50% of global carbon emissions, and 95% of Concord’s emissions – is an essential strategy for making meaningful impacts and achieving our climate and sustainability goals. Electrification is particularly effective in Concord given that 99% of the electricity purchased by CMLP comes from carbon-free sources.

Concord is positioned as a leader for progressive electrification policies for buildings and transportation. Most recently, the Town has adopted the Specialized Stretch Building Code and is preparing to be one of only ten municipalities in the MA Fossil Fuel Free Building Demonstration Program, which will prohibit fossil fuel use in new building construction. Concord is also a leader in electrifying transportation, including a municipal electric fleet policy, adoption of electric school buses, and a listing among the ‘top three’ municipalities for EV adoption in Massachusetts.

Our guest speaker, Eric Simms, is the Sustainability Director here in Concord. Prior to coming to Concord, he spent 20 years in higher education developing and managing science-based education and communication programs that bridged the academic research community with a broad spectrum of educators, students, and the public. More recently, Eric served as Education Programs Manager at the Harvard University Center for the environment where he brought together faculty and students from multiple disciplines across the University to broaden their perspectives on climate and energy issues. He is excited to use his scientific training and multi-disciplinary perspectives to continue to position the Town as a leader in the addressing climate change and help to create a truly sustainable Concord.

Event sponsored by ConcordCAN! – The Concord Climate Action Network

Concord Drives Electric - Test Drive an EV!
2023-10-01 15:00 - 18:00 | Concord Carlisle High School, 500 Walden St, Concord, Concord Carlisle High School, 500 Walden St, Concord, Massachusetts, US
Due to high interest, all the test drive slots have been filled. Please come anyway to see all the EV models, talk with owners and have your questions answered.
Interested in electric vehicles? Attend a free Test Drive Event on Oct 1st at CCHS to test drive or ride in an EV, talk to 10+ local EV drivers, learn how you can save over $10,000 on an EV, and get your questions answered by our EV Specialists. Register at ConcordDrivesElectric.org. We’ll contact advance registrants as soon as the test drive line-up is finalized, to ask for your vehicle preference and get you on the schedule. Sponsored by CMLP & Concord Sustainability Department.
Attendees will have the chance to:

Test drive (or ride in) one of dozens of EV models;
Talk to local owners of many vehicle models, who will be displaying their cars;
Ask our EV Specialists about EV purchase incentives, charging, and finding the right car;
Sign up for support from CMLP’s EV Specialists during their EV buying journey.

Family Bike Rodeo
2023-09-30 19:00 - 20:30 | Harvey Wheeler parking lot, 55 Church St, West Concord, Harvey Wheeler parking lot, 55 Church St, West Concord, Massachusetts, US
As part of Climate Prep Week, join us for a Family Bike Rodeo in the Harvey Wheeler Lot at 55 Church Street (across the street from the Fowler Branch Library, 1322 Main Street). Pedal on over! Don’t forget your helmets and water bottles! We’ll have bike decorating, safety checks, practice courses, and more fun for all!
Get ready for Safe Routes to School’s Bike to School events at the beginning of October!
Please register!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library

"What's the Rush? The Solution to the Biodiversity Crisis"
2023-09-27 22:30 - 2023-09-28 00:00 | Concord Free Public Library (Goodwin Forum), 1322 Main St, Concord, Concord Free Public Library (Goodwin Forum), 1322 Main St, Concord, Massachusetts, US
Join us during Climate Prep Week to view Doug Tallamy’s “What’s the Rush?” video, and find out what you can do in your own yard to regenerate biodiversity. Tallamy is Professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware and the author of Bringing Nature Home; Nature’s Best Hope; and The Nature of Oaks. His grassroots organization, Homegrown National Park®, is a non-profit dedicated to galvanizing individuals and communities to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants.
The video will be followed by a chat with panelists who are already taking steps to shrink lawns, remove invasive species, add native plants, avoid insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers, reduce nighttime light pollution and more. There will be opportunities to ask questions, gather resources and learn how you can get involved!
Please register.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library
