City and partners host fifth annual Climate Action Week, September 22-30

For the fifth year, the City has organized its annual Climate Action Week for Friday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. More than 20 fun and educational events that align with Bellingham’s climate action goals are planned for the week by the City and various community partner organizations, culminating in a Climate Action Week Closing Celebration.

This year’s Climate Action Week theme of “Leading with Collaborative Solutions” encourages participating organizations to find ways to work together on climate solutions and events.

“Bellingham has been leading the way on climate action since 2007, when the City created its first Climate Action Plan, but the success is not the City’s alone,” said Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood. “Our success has and will continue to require collaboration with our community. We are developing our electric vehicle infrastructure, working to electrify all buildings, converting to renewable energy sources, educating homeowners on wildfire risks and much more. All this important work is done with the support of many community partners. Climate Action Week is a chance to celebrate our collective successes and prepare for the work ahead.”

In the spirit of collaboration, the City is partnering with the Port of Bellingham and Kulshan Brewing Co. on a Climate Action Week Closing Celebration at the downtown waterfront on Saturday, Sept. 30. The event features live music, an interactive kids’ play zone, electric bike demos, a prize drawing, educational booths, food trucks, and opportunities to network and get involved with local environmental organizations.

Climate Action Week events

There are a variety of events for people of all ages and interests to enjoy throughout the week:

• Emotions & Insights in a Climate Changing World – interactive improv storytelling
• Transit for the Trees – ride the bus to plant trees
• Guided Nature Therapy
• Informative and engaging presentations:
  • Community Wildfire Resilience Night
  • Green Building Slam
  • How to Remove English Ivy to Save Your Trees
  • Health of our Endangered Southern Resident Orcas
  • Ecotech Solar Seminar
  • Salmon Enhancement is Climate Action
  • NSEA Salmon Spotters Training
• Guided tours:
  • Future Forests: A Walk in the Woods with RE Sources
  • Beach Walk at Birch Bay
  • Squalicum Creek Habitat Tour
  • Climate Action at WWU: A Walking Tour
• Film showings:
  • To the Rescue: Protecting Life in the Salish Sea
  • “The Engine Inside” at the Pickford
• Volunteer events (South Bay Trail, Birchwood Park, Harriet Spanel Park)
• Youth art project in local parks
• Recycled art supply sale

For more information about Bellingham’s Climate Action Week, visit cob.org/climate-action-week.