New initiative aims to catalyze the sustainability movement
The scientific community has argued that the Western economic and social model is directly tied to oncoming environmental catastrophe, yet political leaders and the majority of citizens have been unable or unwilling to take significant action to avoid predicted negative consequences. Why?
This fundamental question led Jason Angell and Jocelyn Apicello to found the Ecological Citizens’ Project, a new initiative that aims to educate people about sustainability issues and the power of individual choices in contributing to progress, and to develop grassroots leaders to help push for systemic change.
“In today’s world, so many of the social issues we deal with are presented as if they’re separate from each other — climate change, economic injustice, political paralysis. As a sustainable farmer, you learn to see the interconnections between things,” said Angell, who co-operates Longhaul Farm in Garrison with his wife, Apicello.
The Ecological Citizens’ Project will combine public education through presentations with small leadership retreats to explore a sustainability agenda and provide participants with tools to take action. There will be a public presentation on the project at Garrison’s Desmond-Fish Library on Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. The project aims to hold its first Ecological Citizen Leader Retreat in the summer.
The Desmond-Fish Library is located in Garrison at the corner of Routes 403 and 9D. For more information about upcoming programs and events at the library, call 845-424-3020 or visit desmondfishlibrary.org.
