It’s always both exciting and uplifting to see local young people get involved in the community, and this proved remarkably true at last week’s meeting. Eight young adults – all members of the local Climate Action Team – joined us to hear a presentation on climate change and to ask our thoughts and concerns for their better involvement. 

It all started when Louise Cowan helped initiate a grant from Maine Can’t Wait, a state organization that is supporting outreach and student leadership. Rotarians Marsha Annenberg, a Rotarian from the Big Apple, is involved, and for expertise we have Fritz Freundenberger, who many of us know as a member of the Boothbay Register staff and whose background is in science communication.  And then the youth, who are dedicated to helping us keep our planet safe for all of us. 

Fritz started his presentation with a picture of what we used to know as Three Trees out on Ocean Point – and which since the winter storms of 2024 has been barren rock. He showed the picture to make the point that severe weather patterns are increasing in ferocity – and the damage is already being felt. In the 1980s, he said, a natural disaster that caused $1 billion in damage came once about every four months in the US. Today, they arrive every three weeks or so. He said that’s not about inflation or public perception – the change in weather patterns are real, and the insurance companies are recognizing the risk.   

Fritz also explained the difference between weather and climate. Weather deals with the variables of a specific time or location, and a season can be warmer or colder; climate has to do with long-term changes. And as to that, he said, scientists are in alignment. As the planet is getting warmer, the jet stream is changing, and that is what is both warming Maine and causing glaciers to melt, resulting in sea level rise. The reality is that the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 97 percent of the world’s oceans, changing our biosphere.  Blue crab season, anyone? 

The Rotarians at the meeting were quick in their questions, and we were also asked to fill out a questionnaire on community resilience that basically asked what our biggest environmental concerns might be and where the group should spend its resources. If you want to fill out the form online, that’s great: go to tinyurl.com/23ts3aua and get started.  The goal, after all, is to help build a stronger Boothbay region. 

Dinner on Thursday was delicious shepherd’s pie from Pinkham’s – what would we do without Pinkhams? We were also delighted to welcome Judy deGraw back to the meeting – the doctors either graduated her or kicked her out, your choice. People Power was not well subscribed and the result was no 50/50; you know the drill.  

Next week, Thursday Aug. 21, Amy will still be away and we are having a delicious potluck social. This means:  Bring something to share and plan on, you know, discussion among ourselves. Something many of us are good at. 

The following Thursday, Aug. 28, the Clubhouse will be dark while we all celebrate Labor Day, but the show will go on every Saturday morning at the Barn. Be there.   

In fact, this past Saturday was a record-breaking weekend at the Barn: Laurie got in her steps pricing things; Patty held the crowd upstairs to a sizeable 30 people at a time; Barbara sold the world’s largest hatrack and Ham just sold. The guys hauled and took a record-sized collection to Treasure Island. Jeff tells me that we have a couple of big loads planned again for this week. So if you have stuff to donate to the barn, phone or text  207-619-1417 or email   rotarybarnpickup@gmail.com to schedule a pickup or, alternatively, drop your goodies off at the Rotary barn located at 66 Montgomery Road on a Saturday morning between 8:30 and 11.  Please note: No white goods, bed frames or mattresses, sofa beds, pianos or organs, athletic bikes, books, large home appliances or clothing. Remember, we’re volunteers, and we don’t want to lug that heavy stuff either.