Earth Day Climate Fair

A king tide, driven by sea level rise, swamps wetlands along the Yaquina River near Newport.\Photo by John Bauer.

What better time to address the greatest threat to the Earth than on Earth day.  On Earth Day, Monday, April 22, an Earth Day Climate Fair is being held beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the McEntee Room of the Newport Public Library (35 N.W. Nye St.).  Sponsors are 350 Oregon Central Coast and the Newport branch of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.  The event is free and open to all.  Light refreshments will be served.

Billed as a “celebration event” despite the potentially grim threat that forms its theme—the event celebrates positive steps that are being taken—the Climate Fair will feature five speakers, each holding forth for 15 minutes.  Six organizations will have informational tables at the event.

Mark Saelens, District Manager for the Solid Waste District of Lincoln County, will speak about the county’s recycling and sustainability efforts. Saelens is a former Newport City Councilor. He currently sits on the steering committee for Lincoln County of Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation District Board, treasurer of MidCoast Watersheds Council and Newport Chapter of Surfrider.

Martin Desmond, volunteer for Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Newport group, will give an update on HB 2020, the carbon reduction bill that is moving through the Oregon State Legislature. The Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction is expected to pass out the bill on Earth Day. Desmond will briefly speak about the development of climate action plans for Lincoln County.

Rio Davidson, owner of Cascade Coast Solar, will discuss the potential of solar energy installation in commercial and residential homes in Lincoln County.

Jason Gonzales, the Forest and Watershed Campaign Organizer of Oregon Wild, will speak about impacts to forests in the Oregon Coast Range.

Aimee Thompson of Thompson’s Sanitary Services will discuss current recycling and disposal procedures. Thompson’s is offering free compost, Saturday April 20 near its main office, 7450 NE Avery Street, Newport, in celebration of Earth Day while supplies last, limited to one pick-up load per person.

Organizations that will have informational tables include Oregon Wild, Cascade Coast Solar, Thompson’s Sanitary Services, Lincoln County Community Rights, Friends of Yaquina Lighthouse, Oceana Natural Foods Co-Op, Citizens Climate Lobby – Newport group and 350 Oregon Central Coast.

For more information, contact Martin Desmond, cclnewport@gmail.com., 541-968-5143.