I filled out the survey late last week. There is one thing I pointed out that is almost totally lacking: what are the smart energy technologies for individuals, families, home owners, and renter for which the federal government has tax REBATES or FREE via the Inflation Reduction Act for installations and additional funding from local and state governments and agencies. Not only are these "fixes" saving people money (returns on investments have fallen in some areas significantly), the new "Smart Energy Economy" bring significant numbers of high-paying jobs and local economic developments. Not only can public libraries serve as information centers for the "Smart Energy Economy," they can be places for local and regional planners, agency personnel, contractors, and economic development personnel to give programs to residents living in and near the communities they serve. The opportunities for branched public library systems are almost limitless!
Then there are speakers, like myself, who have professional experiences in the Climate Change arena (mine are 38-years) who give general or subject specific presentations (health effects, fishing, carbon "Food-Prints). I have the advantage of being trained by Al Gore in 2007 to deliver his climate change presentations on climate change, and having been a Mentor for eight of his ~50 International Training Workshops.
I gave my 4th or 5th climate change presentation, "Climate Change Education in the Crosshairs," at the American Meteorological Society Annual Conference for the Atmospheric Science Librarians International affiliate section of AMS. It was held Jan. 27 to Feb 1st in Baltimore. I'd have to count, but I think I have 25+ professional presentations and publications on climate change, including ALA's first climate change presentation at the 1995 ALA Annual, a panel presentation by librarian member of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Each panelist gave overviews of their groups programs, project themes, and resources. A week or two later a catastrophic heat wave hit the Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor causing power outages that claimed more than 1500 lives, mostly older and informed persons left with no electricity for fans or air conditioning, and water to reach upper floors a large apartment buildings.
Original Message:
Sent: 3/18/2024 10:36:00 AM
From: Matthew Bollerman
Subject: National Climate Action Strategy: Strategy Implementation Survey
The American Library Association (ALA) and Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) have partnered to create a National Climate Action Strategy for U.S. Libraries. In order to inform this strategy and expedite the implementation of the strategy in libraries, ALA and SLI are seeking feedback from the field. The results will inform the implementation section of the strategy document which is scheduled to be released in June 2024 at the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego, CA.
This survey is intended for library leaders. The Working Group identifies library leaders as all library workers and trustees given each person's sphere of influence to make a difference on the topic of climate action.
The survey should take 8-10 minutes to complete. It will remain open until Friday, April 5, 2024. Instructions are provided at the end of the survey on how to enter the drawing for one of two National Parks Annual Passes provided by the ALA Sustainability Round Table.
Click here: National Climate Action Strategy: Strategy Implementation Survey
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Matthew Bollerman
Chief Executive Officer
Hauppauge Public Library
He/Him/His
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