Maine Senator Chloe Maxmin; Maine Senator Rick Bennett; and Lights Out Consulting founder Daniel Sipe of Norway during a panel discussion at last year’s 2030 Vision Climate Convergence. Submitted

NORWAY — The Center for an Ecology-based Economy’s fourth annual 2030 Vision Climate Convergence returns to Norway on May 12, with two days of education, networking and entertainment aimed at achieving a resilient climate in partnership with a sustainable economy.

2030 Vision is an outside event based at the Norway Recreational Park at 58 Cottage Street.

Event organizers will present a variety of workshops and breakout sessions with a focus on sharing climate education, pursuing study opportunities and learning new methods to incorporate climate justice into business strategies.

Key note speakers this year will be Jonathon Fulford, a Waldo county farmer dedicated to solve the threats of climate change, on Friday; and Jacquelyn Gill, a professor of paleontology and plant ecology at the University of Maine on Saturday.

Participating presenters represent organizations like CEBE, Maine colleges and universities, the Cooperative Maine Business Alliance, the Maine People’s Alliance, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Western Maine Foothills Land Trust, among others.

CEBE will discuss initiatives it is spearheading around western Maine, like working with local governments and school districts to conduct energy audits and adapt clean energy solutions to save money. It will also update attendees on its community solar cooperative project as it gets underway.

CEBE staff will also talk about their vision for establishing a housing cooperative program in the town of Norway.

Participants of 2030 Vision Climate Convergence Youth Panel in 2022. From left: moderator Deb Paredes; Audrey Hufnagel; Kosis Ifeji; Madison Sheppard; Luke Sekera-Flanders. Submitted

Meals will be provided by local provisioners: lunch both days from Gemini Café in Bethel, and wood-fired oven pizza at Alan Day Community Garden on Whitman Street Friday evening.

ReVision Energy, a solar energy company from South Portland, is sponsoring this years 2030 Vision.

“ReVision Energy is proud to support the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy’s 2023 Climate Convergence—2030 Vision: Unite to Meet the Moment,” Emily Nadeau, Revisions community engagement officer told the Advertiser Democrat in an email statement. “Fighting the climate crisis can’t be done without the critical component of climate justice, which is often overlooked.

“ReVision’s mission calls for our own co-owners, as well as our community partners, to be bold in their activism, empowering everyone to solve the environmental problems caused by fossil fuels while alleviating economic and social injustice.”

Registration is required to participate in 2030 Vision Climate Convergance. To learn more about this year’s workshop presentations and panels, and to register to attend either or both days, visit the event website at https://www.ecologybasedeconomy.org/2030vision.

Volunteers are welcome to pitch in. Call CEBE at 207-739-2101 to find out how to become involved.