On Saturday, April 26, be part of the team that provides household energy-saving kits to an entire Iowa City neighborhood! Sign up online to reserve your volunteer slot, or add yourself to the list of possible volunteers by emailing ClimateAction@iowa-city.org. For questions or more information, call 319-887-6164 or visit icgov.org/CAevents.
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 Come get instruction and hands-on practice in weatherizing windows and doors to keep your home energy-efficient and comfortable year-round!
- Sat., March 8, 9 - 11 a.m.
- Environmental Education Building at Eastside Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE
The Green Iowa AmeriCorps team is partnering with CommUnity Crisis Services, Shelter House, and Crowded Closet to collect needed resources. Visit icgov.org/GreenIowa for the full list of donation requests.
- March 17-24
- Drop off items at Iowa City Public Library, 123 South Linn St. or New Pioneer Co-Op, 22 South Van Buren St.
 The Barbara Schlachter and Ann Christenson Memorial Lecture Series 2025 is a partnership between the Iowa City Senior Center (ICSC) and 100Grannies for a Livable Future. Each Wednesday in March, at 3 p.m. in room 302 of the Senior Center, hear a different engaging speaker on topics such as water quality, plastic pollution, food and agriculture, and the future of climate action. No pre-registration is required and all are welcome! For more information, visit ICSC's activities registration page online.
 Deb Schoelerman
100Grannies Member
 How do you take climate action?
My favorite way to take climate action is through my daily lifestyle and paying attention to my carbon footprint. I try to follow the refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, recirculate rule. I limit my purchases on new clothing and other household items – I always ask myself, “Do I need this? or just want it?” Before I purchase anything new, I shop at local resale and thrift stores – we are fortunate to have several in our community!
I try to buy food that is locally grown and compost leftovers. I have planted many native grasses and forbs in our back yard. Weather permitting, I ride my e-bike for as many errands that I can. My husband and I installed a solar array on our house 13 years ago. We are investigating installing a heat pump for our home, and we have a hybrid vehicle and an all-electric vehicle.
Why is it important to take climate action?
Climate action is important because I believe it is this generation’s responsibility to be “good ancestors” and protect the Earth for future generations. I am an active member of 100Grannies. Our mission is to work toward a livable future for all – our motto is Educate, Advocate, Agitate. We educate the community on issues of clean water, clean air, and renewable energy for a healthy sustainable environment. In collaboration with the Senior Center, we sponsor a film series in the fall and a lecture series in the spring on environmental concerns. We participate in the county fair, parades, and festivals. We communicate with our elected officials and write letters to the editor to advocate for the planet. When necessary, we agitate.
What can others do to take climate action?
Individual actions matter – but I believe it is also important to be part of an organization to have more of an impact. By being a member of the 100Grannies, I feel I can have a louder voice to speak out for the environment. As Bill McKibben, of 350.org says, “join an organization – we are better together.”
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