From “Worrier” to “Warrior”: Climate Teach-In a Success

Fifty folks came to Third Act Maine’s first Climate Teach-In in Freeport on September 7. The mix of learning, having lunch together, mingling, singing, and voting on favorite songs and images generated a warm ambiance. It was the first time many of us had ever met in person! Zoom is great, but at some point, there’s no substitute for an in-person smile and conversation. Here’s the talk from Annie Ropeik, climate reporter, for your viewing pleasure. (Thank you, Martha Spiess, for videotaping.)

At our Climate Change Event in Freeport, I found  a lot of hope and faith that we can take action to prevent the gathering storm that we see happening all around us and share a little joy doing it. We all have worked so much online. It makes an in-person event that much more special. At our teach-in I met so many Third Act Mainers from other towns along with the people I have been working with in the Portland area. It was in a wonderful venue at Wolfe’s Neck which just brings to mind how lucky I am to live in Maine. There was a smorgasbord of yummy cuisine—and enlightening ideas. There was a meeting of minds and hearts. It feels great to occasionally turn being a worrier into being a warrior. — Renee Givner

This article was originally published in Third Act Maine’s Newsletter of September 14, 2023