The collaborative series “Resilience” continues Saturday, April 24, with a presentation of the Library’s first-ever virtual Community Conference. The conference is aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of climate change and what scientists are doing to solve this complex problem. It will be held from 11 AM to 2:15 PM via videoconference; please register at newcanaanlibrary.org.
Leading the conference and offering their unique perspectives are three top professionals in their respective areas of expertise: Waleed Abdalati, Director of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado, Boulder (CU-Boulder), and professor in CU-Boulder’s Geography Department, Colonel Jason Kelly, Commander, South Atlantic Division, of the US Army Corps of Engineers, and James O’Donnell, physical oceanographer, professor, and Executive Director of CIRCA (Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation).
The Earth is a weather machine composed of four elements: land, air, water, and ice. Climate scientists warn that pollution, the rise in temperatures around the globe, and the removal of our forests are dangerously changing the planet’s delicate balance but emphasize that it is not too late to rewrite the future. New Canaan Library invites all to join the conversation and learn what can be done from experts in the field.
To get the most benefit from the conference, attendees are encouraged to watch the film, Decoding the Weather Machine, (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/decoding-the-weather-machine/) available free online, prior to the mini conference.
The virtual conference day will be divided into three parts: lectures from experts featured in the film, a lecture by local leaders sharing their data and observations, and breakout community discussion groups. Lunch and refreshment breaks included in the schedule. For the complete schedule and details please visit newcanaanlibrary.org.
As the proud recipient of the American Library Association’s “Resilient Communities” grant, New Canaan Library has partnered with New Canaan Land Trust and Planet New Canaan to present public programming centered around films which explore climate change and community resilience.
In addition to the ALA’s “Resilient Communities” grant, a supporting grant from The Conservation Commission, Town of New Canaan, has helped make this series possible. The films and the accompanying programs provide a fascinating window into what many thought they knew about climate change and inspire participants to take local action to mitigate its consequences.