A Net-Zero Williamstown: What Will It Take To Get There?

On the occasion of Earth Day 2021, the Williamstown COOL Committee invites you to a panel and conversation about the forthcoming citizen’s petition to make Williamstown a “net-zero” community. Co-hosted by the Williams College Zilkha Center as a virtual Zoom meeting, the event will begin with a moderated panel discussion and then invite attendees to participate with their own questions.

The panel will comprise members of the COOL Committee, town government, staff and students of Williams College, and invited guest State Senator Adam Hinds. Moderators will be Williams College Emeritus Professor Hank Art and Nancy Nylen, renewable energy consultant and former associate director of the Center for EcoTechnology.

In light of the climate crisis and its substantial impacts on public health, the environment, and the economy, many towns and cities are working to reduce their emissions of climate-altering greenhouse gases. “Net-zero” means reducing a community’s emissions to zero through energy reduction and efficiency measures, replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, and offsetting remaining emissions with investments in carbon reduction and sequestration projects. The COOL Committee will share its vision for a Net-Zero Williamstown and discuss the path forward for the forming a plan and implementing it.

The link to join the meeting on Zoom can be found at bit.ly/COOLEarthDay. The event will also be broadcast live and available for later viewing on Willinet Community TV.