An upcoming climate action and sustainability fair aims to unite Berkshire-area environmental activists, community members and businesses.What’s being called the first-ever gathering of its kind in the Berkshires, Saturday’s event aims to celebrate the area’s climate action network. Groups like the Berkshire Environmental Action Team and the region’s branch of 350Mass are behind the effort. Judy Fox is one of the main organizers of the event, called Living the Change.
“I would say ‘living the change’ means changing one’s values, consciousness and interest to keep this earth this sustainable and alive,” said Fox.
The event’s featured speaker is Laurie Lane-Zucker, CEO and founder of The Impact Entrepreneur Center for Social and Environmental Innovation. He is the former executive director of the Orion Society, a Great Barrington-based nonprofit that publishes its own magazine focusing on environmental issues. Lane-Zucker says he will relate global environmental challenges to local issues.
“I’ll also talk about the fact that 12.8 percent of the Berkshires is living under the poverty line and that we’re looking at a 25 percent drop in school enrollment in the next 10 years,” Lane-Zucker said. “And the great need that we have to grow and diversify our economy, but to do it in the right way. To do it in a way where we’re using 21st century approaches to 21st century challenges.”
Lane-Zucker says the Center plans to open at least one combined learning center and business incubator in the Berkshires. He hopes to shore up a network of political, community and business leaders aimed at building an economy that’s attentive to environmental challenges.
“To really think about how we can incentivize innovators and entrepreneurs across sectors, both through legislation that we would try to pass at the state level that would provide tax incentives to more what we might call ‘softer’ incentives that the region can put together to incentivize talented innovators to build companies and then keep them here after they start to expand and thrive.”
The gathering will also include explanations about solar energy options and how to become active in area environmental organizations, according to Fox.
“There’ll be vendors on Northeast Organic Farming [Organization], a permaculture table and socially responsible investment tables,” said Fox.
Karen Andrews, of 350Mass, says Saturday’s gathering aims to celebrate environmental victories. Kinder Morgan recently suspended work on its Northeast Energy Direct natural gas pipeline that faced steady opposition in the Berkshires and elsewhere.
“Because when you’re fighting climate things and corrupt structures there is a lot of pushing against and this is more building something for the future that can actually draw people,” said Andrews.
The event runs from 11 to 11 at Shire City Sanctuary in Pittsfield. A number of vendors from across the region will also set up in the parking lot during the day for the city’s 3rd annual food truck rodeo.
