To celebrate Global Wind Day, the Sierra Club hosted a film screening of “How to Power a City” at Cinema Salem.
“How to Power a City” explores the many different climate solutions that are emerging all around us. From grassroots activists to utility executives, the documentary reveals the multitude of options available for a future of clean energy.
The film focuses on six distinct locations, largely divided into urban and rural areas. This includes large cities like New York City, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Highland Park, as well as areas of Vermont and Puerto Rico. Through this diverse perspective on clean energy and on the negative consequences of local fossil fuel development, viewers can see the various scales of energy projects, and how these transformations impact consumers and future generations.
One of the most impactful lines of the film emerged right at its opening, with Henry J Kaiser’s quote: “You can’t sit on the lid of progress. If you do, you will be blown to pieces.” The clean energy movement is coming. This film demonstrates that progress is happening at all levels, from community activism to a large energy company, and will continue to persist throughout challenges and setbacks. If you are interested in watching the film, it can be found on PBS.
SAFE tabled, informing residents of upcoming events such as the Energy Fair on the 17th and our SAFE Community Conversation on Electric Vehicles on the 28th.
SAFE was also invited to open the film. Following the film, Sam Lambert, the Political and Municipal Coordinator of the MA Chapter of the Sierra Club, moderated a climate action panel. The panel included Ward 1 Salem City Councilor Erin Turowski, who represents the Point neighborhood, Willows, and Historic Derby Street Neighborhood, which surround the Salem port, North Shore Labor Council Organizer Jordan Rogers, and Sierra Club Massachusetts Energy Organizer Eva Morgan.
From left to right, Salem City Councilor Erin Turowski, North Shore Labor Council Organizer Jordan Rogers, and Sierra Club Massachusetts Energy Organizer Eva Morgan.
First, some of the panel members described how they were affected by the film. Jordan talked about how the film clearly demonstrated how the climate justice movement is tied to class divide and past exploitation. For example, in Puerto Rico, a history of neocolonialism and disenfranchisement has meant that Puerto Rico did not have the resources to recover or adapt from extreme weather events like Hurricane Maria. Eva added that Green Mountain Power, a Vermont utility company featured in the film with over 70% renewable energy, actually saves us money here in Massachusetts. New England states share a grid, so if cheap renewable energy is produced in one state, it lowers ratepayers’ costs in others.
The Heaven and Earth Initiative to install solar at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and create a geothermal energy network for the church and the surrounding neighborhood was discussed. Both Erin and Eva spoke to the strength of this project and how it can serve as a model for electrification. It also has strong community benefits, as there are plans for the geothermal network to be utilized by residents near the Salem Common in case of a blackout. Please check out our blog Novel Solar and Geothermal Renewable Energy Project in Salem: St.Peters-San Pedro Episcopal Church’s “Heaven and Earth” for more info.
When asked about future actions that should be taken for Salem, each member had a unique perspective. Jordan emphasized the importance of labor training and career technical education, saying that “the green transition is going to take a lot of manpower.” Jordan later added that “training for the younger generation can build generational wealth that can grow for years and years.”
Sam then talked about the importance of local advocacy. This was apparent when community members did a postcard campaign to a city light board commissioner to stop a gas expansion project titled Project Beacon. The official went from receiving input from less than 10 constituents per year to hearing from 30+ individuals in the span of a week. “We are our own community and can build from there.”
Eva and Erin both emphasized the importance of local and renewable energy in comparison to relying on the heavily increasing fossil fuel prices. Erin talked about the importance of Salem’s new high school for Salem’s energy consumption, as the development is predicted to reduce public building power consumption by 30% for the city. Additionally, Erin later joined Sam in saying that “the best thing we can do is get involved with our local groups and get involved with a lot of them.”
Thank you to the Sierra Club for hosting this wonderful event, bringing light to the amazing climate action being taken all over the U.S., and to those who attended. Also, thank you to Cinema Salem for the venue and popcorn!