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PANEL DISCUSSIONS:
Panel discussions will be led by a moderator asking panelists topic specific questions. Panelists will be experts in the subject matter. Audience questions will be taken through written questions. Each panel is planned to last 45 minutes.
1. Preserving Montana’s Natural Beauty: Conservation and Climate: Explore how a changing climate threatens the state’s natural resources, which are crucial for tourism and outdoor recreation activities like downhill skiing, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
2. Sustainable Agriculture: Securing Our Food Supply: Discussion on potential innovations in agricultural practices making them more sustainable to ensure food security and realize more economic benefits.
3. Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy in Montana: Discussion on how investing in renewable sources like wind and solar can create jobs and contribute to the local economy.
4. Local Success Stories: Businesses Leading the Way in Sustainability: Highlight local businesses that have successfully implemented sustainable practices without sacrificing profitability.
5. Building Resilient Communities: Preparing for Extreme Weather Events: Discussion on how local communities can prepare for and adapt to extreme weather events exacerbated by the changing climate. The discussion will focus on practical solutions, potential impacts on health and how to address those impacts.
6. Youth Roundtable: The Next Generation Speaks: Local youth will discuss their concerns and hopes for the future, encouraging an intergenerational dialogue.
WORKSHOPS:
Twelve, 45 minute educational workshops are planned.
1. Electrify Your Life: Financial and Environmental Sense: This workshop will discuss the cost savings and benefits of transitioning to an electrified life. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and State of Montana benefits available to individuals and businesses will be discussed.
2. En-ROADS Simulator: Explore the Effectiveness of Various Climate Solutions: This workshop uses a Systems Dynamics simulator developed by Climate Interactive and the M.I.T. Sloan Schooll of Business. The simulator allows the real-time exploration of various climate solutions on the economy, energy and many other areas of interest.
3. Electrification for Non-profits: This workshop explains how non-profits can access funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
4. Financing: How to Pay for Electrification: This workshop will discuss options available through local bank(s) and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fund electrification of your home or business.
5. Hybrids, Battery Electric Cars, Heat Pumps and Solar Panels: Tips on Buying: This workshop will provided real-world experience from owners and local contractors on the ins and outs of owning and purchasing these items.
6. Birds and Climate: Canaries in the Coal Mine: Watch a 28-minute film, Bird Trouble, detailing the past troubles of nesting bird populations in North America and their future prospects under different climate change scenarios. Discuss the "why care?" question with stories about the value of birds to our enjoyment and our survival.
7. Lightning Round of Opportunities to Take Action: Come and learn about some of the amazing organizations in our community and their missions as well as what they are doing to address local issues, including climate change. You may discover that you want to become a member, volunteer or participant, making a difference and giving you an opportunity to be a part of the solution.
8. Climate Smart Programs: Local Purchasing and Food Diversion: Join Land to Hand, Dirt Rich, and the North Valley Food Bank for a discussion about the climate impacts of reducing food waste and diverting organic materials from the landfill. We will be discussing local food acquisition, food rescue, composting, and zero waste events. This will be an engaging conversation with opportunities for audience involvement and community engagement.
9. Sustainable Development For Our Growing Community: In this workshop, students will teach the importance of sustainable growth. They will show you what sustainable development and design looks like for our schools, our community, and the future cities of the world.
10. Community Science in Wilderness: Locally Redefining Stewardship: This workshop, hosted by the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, will highlight some of the efforts the foundation is taking to make the Wilderness a more inclusive space. By creating more diverse opportunities for the community to connect to these spaces, we are establishing a wider range of understanding on the management, and advocacy work that the public can support to regain the character of their public lands.
11. Climate Conversations to Change the World: We have most of the solutions we need to address the climate crisis, but how do we get them supported and implemented? 64% of Americans rarely or never talk about climate change, creating a chasm for shared support. Join this workshop to learn and practice communication skills to have more meaningful and effective climate conversations with your family, friends, and colleagues.
12: In Work: This will be updated when the workshop is confirmed.
