Energy summit message: Take action
Published October 25 2009
By: Sherri Richards, Fargo INFORUM
“Ooh, it’s hot in here,” she sang. “There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere. Take action, take action, and get some satisfaction.”
For Mossett, that action could be as simple as changing a light bulb. But she’s hoping for even more action and awareness following this weekend’s Northern Plains Power Shift Summit.
The event kicked off Saturday in downtown Fargo. It is one of 11 Power Shift summits happening around the country this fall.
They are being organized by the Energy Action Coalition, a group of 50 leading climate, environmental and social justice organizations.
Mossett, an event organizer, is with the Indigenous Environmental Network, part of the Energy Action Coalition.
Mossett said about 250 people registered for the summit.
About 60 people listened to Fargo City Commissioner Mike Williams and Mayor Dennis Walaker, the opening speakers Saturday morning at the Fargo Theatre.
Both speakers highlighted efforts Fargo has taken to be a cleaner, greener city.
The landfill captures the methane gas and generates solar and wind power. Fargo is one of only seven cities on the Chicago Carbon Exchange, Williams said.
The city fleet uses up to a 20 percent blend of biodiesel. Bus ridership has doubled in the past 10 years, he said.
Since Fargo started free curbside recycling this fall, Walaker, a member of the Mayors for Climate Protection, said there’s been at least a 20 percent reduction in the flow of trash into the landfill.
Switching to LED lights in traffic signals will save the city $40,000 a year, Walaker said. He said the city will study switching out streetlamp light bulbs.
Williams also mentioned the possibility of having recycling receptacles placed on the light posts.
“We don’t need more laws. What we need is an attitude change,” Walaker said, eliciting one audience member to “woot” in support.
“By setting an example across the nation, maybe somebody will see what we’re doing in Fargo to continue to make this a clean community to live in,” Walaker said.
Earlier this month, Earth Day Network ranked Fargo as having the best overall environment.
Williams said he wasn’t sure Fargo really deserved the ranking. “I think it really gives us the motivation to prove that we deserve it,” he said. “We can lead the world into the new energy age.”
The summit started with traditional tribal singing by members of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, west of Minot, N.D., including Scott Baker.
“I’m a firm believer in the Power Shift movement,” Baker said from the stage. “We’ve got stuff going on on our reservation that’s affecting us. We’ve got an oil well popping up on our reservation every 10 minutes.”


I visited this sight for the
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