The Skills and Approaches of Multisolvers: Our Research Agenda at COP-21→

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What is the secret ingredient behind some of the most innovative and promising approaches to climate change, approaches that protect the climate for the long term while increasing health, well-being and equity today?

We think it’s a particular type of leader – one who is able to implement solutions that solve multiple problems for the same investment of time and money, and I am off to Paris and COP-21 to test and refine our thinking.

COP-21 provides a focusing point for tens of thousands of change agents from around the world. Within the official venue – as well as at hundreds of events outside of it – these thinkers and doers are gathering to share their work with one another. Among these thousands of people, we know that there are very many multisolvers:

  • Public health experts promoting climate-protecting policies that also improve health.
  • Indigenous leaders who are showing how the management of their forests keeps cultures alive, provides sustainable livelihoods and sequesters carbon.
  • City leaders creating low carbon cities and saving money at the same time.
  • And more!

We love tracking and sharing these examples, and expect to bring many more back from Paris.

Climate Interactive in Paris for COP21→

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The Climate Interactive team is heading to Paris for theUN climate talks taking place in the next two weeks. Drew Jones, Ellie Johnston, Travis Franck, and Beth Sawin from the Climate Interactive staff team will be there. Professors John Sterman of MIT Sloan and Juliette Rooney-Varga of UMass Lowell will also be joining us in Paris as well.

(note: two community members, Beth Sawin and Phil Rice work at Climate Interactive.  We are thrilled to share information about their upcoming work in Paris and invite blog readers to participate through webinars.)  

If you’re in Paris, it would be great to connect! Details about our activities are listed below. We would especially love to see you at our World Climate COP21 Simulation event and our COP21 exhibit booth.

If you’re not in Paris, join one of our webinars to follow updates.

Harvest Celebration

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Harvest Celebration

On Sunday we had a day harvest celebration. We started off, in the below freezing temperatures, with cider pressing and scarecrow making, then moved the newly painted chicken coop into it's winter location near the barns. Of course, a good chicken coop moving needs some celebration, so Alan (painter-in-chief of the coop) and Ruth served up some root beer float in the Common House. Dinner was pot-luck with the 'rule' that all the dishes had to be composed of ingredients grown at Cobb Hill (with the exception of salt and spices). From baked beans to corn bread to a multitude of winter squash concoctions the food was bountiful, varied and delicious. And we finished of the day with singing, drumming and hanging out in the den, munching on popcorn which was (you guessed it!) grown at Cobb Hill. I'm looking forward to next year's harvest celebration already!

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Dartmouth comes to Cobb Hill

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Dartmouth comes to Cobb Hill

I am a professor at Dartmouth and the Executive Director of a large research lab called the Digital Arts Leadership and Innovation (DALI) Lab.  Every year I bring my students and members of the lab to Cobb Hill.  Saturday night 20 students and staff came for dinner, blueberry picking, and s'mores by the fire pit.  It couldn't have been better. Once again Cobb Hill, and all we do and aspire to do, were inspirational to a group of young people from a wide range of backgrounds. 

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The Hope of Francis

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The Hope of Francis

If our species is to survive and thrive we must regain the knowledge, commitment and will to adapt our ways of living to sustainable and renewable patterns that enhance rather than destroy the life of this planet. We can do this. All the tumult, fears, struggles and hopes we each experience in our own microcosm of community are not in any way separate from this exciting macro-cosmic moment of danger and opportunity.

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A Day of Climate Advocacy for Some Cobb Hillians

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A Day of Climate Advocacy for Some Cobb Hillians

Three Cobb Hill teens, Jenna, Nora, and Gretta, have been particularly active in the Vermont divestment effort over the past six months, lobbying legislators, attending the pension investment committee meetings and delivering public comments to the investment board. Jenna has also been hand-painting banners for use at divestment rallies across the state (see a cool video of Jenna making one of those banners here).

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