KAIROS ATLANTIC

Kairos Cape Breton 2007 – ‘08  

October:        The first meeting of the year focused on a report of the Kairos Atlantic Regional meeting and a discussion of goals and plans for the coming year. It was decided to begin by expanding our vision with a visit to learn from an “off grid” home. It was also proposed that we sponsor an interactive, practical “Re-energize” workshop for homeowners and churches in the new year and to explore the possibility of getting support for the workshop from Clean NS.  

November:   Some members attended a workshop on renewable energy led by Dr. Paul Gipe, internationally renowned expert on wind energy and policy who was on a speaking tour of the Maritimes.

            Sixteen members and friends carpooled to Gabarus to tour the “off grid” home of Dr. and Mrs. Norm Kienitz. They were very knowledgeable and generous with their time. It was a very informative day as we learned from their experience of conserving and producing their own renewable energy from a windmill and solar panels. Norm Kienitz and his business partner are also the developers of the Lingan windmills near Sydney. (See their website for more information: www.capebretonpower.com.) They encouraged our interest and highly recommended that we all read the book “Plan B” by Lester Brown.

December:   The meeting was cancelled due to a snow storm, but, having had a positive response from Clean Nova Scotia, the decision was made, via telephone and email, to co-sponsor a “Re-energize” workshop with Clean Nova Scotia (who will help fund the workshop) in March.

            Written recommendations were sent to the NS Department of Energy in response to the 2007 Energy Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan.

January/February: Planning meetings were held to plan the workshop goals and objectives, time and place, agenda and style. Possible resources and speakers were identified and volunteer tasks were assigned and carried out. The goals of the workshop: to creatively inspire and challenge people to protect and care for the earth; and to provide practical “how to” ways to use less energy more efficiently and to use alternative / renewable energy resources (solar, etc) for our houses, churches and other buildings.

March:  The workshop was March 1^st from 10 am to 3 pm. St Alban’s ACW provided the lunch. Presenters included: Sr. Ellen Donovan, Srs of Charity, Rev. Wade Reppert, First United Church, Donald Dodge, Conserve NS, Bruce Young, home energy specialist, ACAP Cape Breton, David Lovekin and Janice Ashworth, EAC, Stefan Tylak, Clean NS, Rev. Lorna MacQueen, Trinity United and participants with local success stories. There were also displays, information distributed, and table discussions.

            The event was well publicized and approximately 50 people came to the workshop. Everyone was intently interested in the speakers’ messages and in the displays and there were good discussions. One woman who was not able to come, sent a display re a solar heating devise that she promotes and sells and she began receiving email inquiries immediately after the workshop. Church members who attended the workshop also began to share what they learned with parishioners, friends and neighbours.