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RegenAll hosts Lancaster County’s first ever climate town hall

RegenAll staff, from left: Director of Community Engagement Aidan Fife, Community Climate Fund Research Specialist, Andrew Pauls-Thomas, President & Founder, Eric Sauder, Communications and Outreach Specialist, Kaila Young, Director of Faith Based Programs, Nathan Grieser, and Executive Director, Leilani Richardson; pose for phot at at Hamilton Park United Church of Christ on Sunday Jan, 26, 2025 ( Photo: Brian McCloud )

RegenAll staff, from left: Director of Community Engagement Aidan Fife, Community Climate Fund Research Specialist, Andrew Pauls-Thomas, President & Founder, Eric Sauder, Communications and Outreach Specialist, Kaila Young, Director of Faith Based Programs, Nathan Grieser, and Executive Director, Leilani Richardson; pose for phot at at Hamilton Park United Church of Christ on Sunday Jan, 26, 2025 ( Photo: Brian McCloud )
RegenAll staff, from left: Director of Community Engagement Aidan Fife, Community Climate Fund Research Specialist, Andrew Pauls-Thomas, President & Founder, Eric Sauder, Communications and Outreach Specialist, Kaila Young, Director of Faith Based Programs, Nathan Grieser, and Executive Director, Leilani Richardson; pose for phot at at Hamilton Park United Church of Christ on Sunday Jan, 26, 2025 ( Photo: Brian McCloud )

Sunday, RegenAll, a local nonprofit, focused on climate solutions in Lancaster County for a more resilient future, hosted Lancaster County's first ever Climate Town Hall. The event was held at Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, 1210 Maple Avenue.

The town hall included remarks from RegenAll’s program directors and attendees had the opportunity to share their opinions. There were performances by Sir. Dominique and Andrew Pauls-Thomas. The event was wrapped up with a social hour where attendees could connect with climate action organizations and enjoy the first ever “climate pie," a pie cut to represent  the major contributors of carbon emissions in Lancaster County, donated in part by Lancaster Pie and Coffee.

Adian Fife, Director of Community Engagement at RengenAll, welcomed the audience and explained the intention behind the town hall, referring to a book by Dr. Ayanna Elizabeth Johnson, “What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures.” “62% of US adults feel that they have a personal sense of responsibility to help reduce the impacts of climate change, but 51% of us say we don't know where to start.” Fife explained that climate change is a scary concept, and change begins at the regional level. Fife detailed how since the industrial revolution there have been various greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that have created a warming blanket around us that keeps heat inside.

Local artist Sir. Dominque, performed an original poem, Times is Ticking, Chimes of Change, “Lancaster's landscapes must lush for the damage we have done to our planet, our home now, layers of looming haze, the effects of climate change, burning dollars now victims due to volatile against preventable climate waves across our local communities. A new hope rises impacting every part of our lives, rising seas, warming tents, just a few of regionals, rallying cries rustling through royal retreats, and since extreme weather now cries we hit the streets to a new regenerative defeat.”

President and Founder of RegenAll, Eric Sauder, gave a detailed impact report on the effects of climate change in Lancaster and the needs for community support to combat the issue. Highlighting the concept of regeneration which focuses on restoring the ecosystem rather than replacing it.“So, I'll also share that the US is lacking real examples of places that look like Lancaster, that are moving on. Lancaster is particularly relevant in this place and time. Lancaster is a meaningful scale, not too big, not too small. It is close to all these major metropolitan areas... We made a lot of really astonishing environmental progress. I talk about the work that we've done here locally for water quality. Farmers here are at 60% implementation rates for no total cover crop impacts, compared to five to 80% in the Midwest.

“What if church buildings were used throughout the week, becoming pubs for community, making good use of all that heating and cooling while also generating some income for congregations that may be struggling financially. What if communities set up carpools and encourage walking together?  said Director of Faith Based Programs, Nathan Grieser. Griesser gave information on how faith-based communities can join the mission. Detailing how RegenAll can help faith-based communities and nonprofits get started in climate action by facilitating trainings, help manage projects, analyze their building and make recommendations, and identify funding opportunities.

Director of College Park Climate Action Neighborhood, Melissa Snavely detailed the success of creating a climate action neighborhood, an initiative to organize a neighborhood group around climate issues. Snavely’s group includes community members, businesses, and students and professors from Franklin and Marshall College. The group has collected nearly 1,00 pounds of non-recycled plastic car incinerators, received three climate action awards, and is working on becoming a national wildlife habitat award. Snavely encouraged people to create their own climate action neighborhoods by starting off small and growing into a bigger program by contacting people, hosting gatherings, and creating a newsletter.

Photos:

(Photos: Brian McCloud)