BoroGreen Plans Letter Campaign to Support Climate Change Actions

This past Sunday, approximately 40,000 people participated in the largest climate-rally in US history in Washington, D.C. 

One of Hillsborough’s residents, a member of the Climate Leader Volunteer for the Climate Change Project, attended the rally and reported back that the number of young people at the rally was striking. Nadine Sapirman is also a member of BoroGreen and she urged that we write letters at the Feb. 20th Wednesday monthly meeting to encourage our political leaders and President Obama to take actions that moderate the extreme climate change we already are experiencing.  We invite you to join us at 7:30 p.m. at 4 Ivy Lane.

Another action project will be to kickstart Boro Repair Café.  The goal is how to increase reuse by helping residents repair broken household items or mend clothes. We are looking for a handyman or woman who is willing to teach and direct other people.  Contact board@borogreen.org if you can volunteer.  Our February session will be to create custom-sized "draft dodgers" from old clothes to help people reduce energy bills.

A longer term commitment is to apply for NJLearns, a program that will provide you with a transformative understanding of what sustainability means-and the knowledge, skills and tools to lead it and educate for it in our community!  We have sent six participants from Hillsborough for the past two years.  

Join the momentum! This year, it is conveniently located at Duke Farms.  The dates are May 15-16, July 8-12, and next Jan. 15.  If you’re interested, please attend the Wednesday Feb. 20th BoroGreen meeting and we will help you fill out the application or contact cloudinstitute.org/nj-learns 

The Dodge Foundation has provided a grant to cover $670/participant, Duke Farms has provided a beautiful educational setting, and BoroGreen will contribute $50 towards the fee for each of the first two applicants from Hillsborough so that their total cost will be $225. 

It has been a life changing experience for some of us; providing the courage to switch to careers that help the environment, compelling others to serve on the Sustainable Hillsborough Steering Committee, Environmental Commission, the Hillsborough School District-wide Green Team, and to continue engaging our community to live sustainably. 

We hope that future participants are equally compelled to improve the quality of life in our town.  If interested, some may seek increased citizen participation on the Planning Board, Open Space Committee, or Township Committee.

Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  Most people don’t dispute the concept but disagree on how imminent the consequences are.  Even if some folks think that others are sounding the alarm too early, what’s the harm in that?  Some people heed warning signs earlier than others.  For those who dismiss the climate change debate, the damage is irreversible if they are wrong.

One thing is sure.  We all need to be able to find common ground and work together as a community to leave future generations with a livable planet.  It’s my responsibility as a mother; it’s yours as a Hillsborough resident. 

Food for thought as our nation celebrates our presidents, "Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition." —Abraham Lincoln

Submitted by Thuy Anh Le

(The opinions expressed belong solely to the writer, and not necessarily to other community groups or organizations she is affiliated with)