Building Partnerships For a Resilient Community
Caroline Weiss, Dean Berg, Rachael Boyce, Claire Hoffman, Ibrahim Lopes-Hernandez
ROOM 325B
Extreme weather, insurance rates, electricity bills and other climate-driven concerns are tangible and visible effects of climate change. They can offer a starting point for conversations and action in local communities. Hear from the grassroots, municipal, and regional planning perspectives on climate resilience efforts and how strong municipal and community/grassroots partnerships can create and leverage opportunities for local impact in both climate mitigation and adaptation. Come away inspired to strengthen these connections and build more resilient communities together.
Engaging Youth Voices: Youth Perspectives on Climate Education & Action
Meera Subramanian, Jaelyn Carr, Justine Diaz, Cindy Qiao
ROOM 325C
Youth have more power than they are often given credit for. Join this session to hear stories of empowerment and possibility from a panel of youth leaders and YA author/environmental journalist who champions their efforts, learning about ways to enact change and educate their schools and communities on urgent climate change issues. They will share their experiences about what initially drew them to this work, projects past and future, and ongoing challenges. How can climate action happen in surprising places that seem distant from traditional “environmental” work? How might adults encourage their efforts and give them the organizing tools to succeed? This breakout session is an opportunity to listen to and amplify the voices of our youth, discover what motivates their action, and find out how best to support their work.
From the Ground Up: Real-World Lessons for Going Geothermal
Marybeth Martello, Rob Durning, Greg Joynt, Mark Lenci, Kathy Schleyer,
ROOM 305A
As municipalities work to meet ambitious climate and clean energy goals, geothermal heating and cooling is emerging as a proven, scalable solution for reducing building emissions while delivering long-term cost stability. This breakout session is designed for municipal staff, climate leaders, and community decision-makers seeking a clear, practical understanding of what it takes to implement geothermal projects in real-world settings.
The session will begin with an accessible overview of ground-source heat pump technology and its role in decarbonizing buildings. It will then examine two Massachusetts case studies that illustrate different pathways: the Wellesley Village Church geothermal retrofit, highlighting lessons learned when transitioning an existing building to clean thermal energy, and the Easton Police, Fire and Public Works Complex project that demonstrates how integrating geothermal early can support performance, resilience, and long-term savings.
Through these examples, participants will explore project planning considerations, stakeholder coordination, and factors that influence feasibility and outcomes. The session will conclude with a facilitated Q&A, inviting participants to connect the lessons from these projects to their own municipal buildings, campuses, and community projects.
Getting the Word Out: Best Practices for Climate Communications
Scott Bernstein
ROOM 325A
Strong communication is essential for growing local climate action. Learn best practices for social media and newsletters that help communities increase participation, promote programs, and share success stories. This session will highlight practical tools, real examples from local groups, and strategies for creating content that motivates residents to take action.
How to Build a Community Coaching Program
Lisa Wolf, Andrea Becerra, Mimi Kaplan, Shelley Lee, Jillian Wilson-Martin
ROOM 335
Is your community ready to build its own coaching program? While individual coaches offer homeowners valued, trusted support to take impactful steps in decarbonizing their homes, community programs can greatly multiply their impact. By providing a local support network for coaches - building coach camaraderie and mentoring opportunities - and providing residents with town-specific resources on installers, incentives, best practices and building stock, a community coaching program accelerates progress toward meeting your town's emissions targets. Community-based coaching programs can also build mutually beneficial relationships with the local business community - providing architects, contractors, mechanical engineers, real estate developers etc… with a trusted source of information for their customers about rebates, cost comparisons, best practices, and technological advances.
Making Decarbonization Accessible for Everyone: Navigating Resources for Local Building Electrification
Seth Federspiel, Melanie Coen, Hessan Farooqi, Lisette Paukert, Gabe Shapiro
ROOM 305B
This breakout will help break down the ever-changing landscape of resources to support local building electrification efforts, with an emphasis on enabling access for vulnerable populations. Attendees will leave with a practical understanding of the different ways that MA residents can navigate the latest tools, incentives, and financing options available to support equitable building electrification initiatives. Representatives from the Sponsors of Mass Save will discuss the Decarbonization Consultations and Statewide Solution Center to help residents locate incentives and understand decarbonization technologies. Nectar will share lessons learned about customer engagement and program selection for affordable energy retrofit financing for low- and moderate-income homeowners through the Energy Saver Home Loan Program and other resources. All-In Energy will explain progress making energy efficiency more accessible in targeted LIDAC communities through the MA Home Modernization Navigator. The Boston Climate Action Network will illustrate how focusing on affordability can serve as an entry point to decarbonization resources–just don’t call it that! The panel will be facilitated by the Building Electrification Accelerator’s Program Director, Seth Federspiel.
Morning Plenary: Debrief & Discuss
Rev. Mariama Hammond-White
ROOM 340
The topics covered in the plenary session are challenging. Engage in a conversation with our speaker, Rev. Mariama White-Hammond to further reflect.
