Climate Action Team: Fall Newsletter 2025

Looking back, we’re quite amazed at all we accomplished last year, with the steady support of Rev. Joan, Elaine, and Emily.

In August we helped organize Third Act VT/Washington County’s electric vehicle show and tell. New this fall, a series of field trips are scheduled, some after Coffee Hour and others on Saturdays; the first will be in September to the Organics Recycling Facility in Williston. Next, in October, Friends of the Winooski River will lead a river walk to show us the work they have done to protect Northfield. Also in October, a special program arranged by Rev. Joan will feature Rev. Fred Small, whose sermon is titled “The Peace of Trees.” He will also offer a workshop, “Give Light: Spiritual Support for Climate Engagement,” which will be cosponsored by VIPL, VNRC and VIA, and perhaps others.

The new prescription bottle recycling project has begun. We will collect your small (one side less than 2”x2”) orange plastic bottles (since they are too small for normal blue bin recycling, they currently go to the landfill), and ship them to Ohio where they will be sent to countries that will reuse them. The Montpelier Senior Center has joined us in this project.

The UCM Energy Resource Bank will also be fully operational. This list of congregation members who have made significant climate-friendly upgrades to their homes or lifestyles have agreed to answer the questions of those interested in making similar changes. We continue to work on what has become a long slog to switch UCM’s heat from fossil to B99 biofuels. The fuel we will eventually burn is made in Morrisville from used vegetable oils collected from restaurants and institutions.

In November, after coffee hour, Ned Swanberg will speak about “Right Action in Chaotic Times.” Ned is VT’s Flood Hazard Mapping Coordinator. Also, we will visit Barbara Conrey’s new net zero home, and learn about the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) she has created.

We look forward to another productive year in 2026 – stay tuned.

We have a great team – Allen Clark, Tim Flynn, Maryann Ludlow and Peter Watt bring much heart and inspiration to our work. We are looking for new members, and a chair, to allow us to take on some new projects and explore new ideas. Join us!

~ Anne Sarcka, Interim Chair