The Future You Choose

I am so pleased to share information about a major climate project that The PEG Center has initiated in the Greater Newburyport area. The PEG Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to address social and climate justice through art, education and advocacy. Our vision for a world where we all care about the earth and each other has been the catalyst for numerous community projects over the last nine years.

“The Future We Choose Climate Initiative” consists of fostering inspiration for climate action through a community-wide book read, conversations, and identification of personal goals and community-level projects. Within a month of the launch in late October, we distributed 150 copies of the powerful book, The Future We Choose: A Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisis, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, through events, book drops and Free Libraries.

During two discussion/conversation meetings in November and December, we heard community members describe their enthusiasm for the book and the perspectives it shares about positive opportunities and potential actions for the future of humanity. A major milestone in this project will be an educational conversation which will occur on January 29, when The PEG Center will host a Climate Action event at The Newburyport Senior Center from 6:30-8pm. This event will feature both speaker-driven speed-dating to learn about various in- place climate initiatives, and a deep community brainstorming session to begin honing our ideas into a few collaborative projects.

It is our intention that these actions will draw us together as a loving community of caring individuals and families to create support and make choices for making our own lifestyle changes toward Net Zero50.

Our initiative is a grand idea with small actions. Our single-most important goal is to engage interested people and organizations together into efforts that sustain all of us physically, emotionally and spiritually toward climate action that is effective, important and hopeful.

The authors of Future were the creators behind the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and most recently led the United Nations’ major global climate talks in Brazil, COP 30, which as we know was a difficult gathering. Fossil fuel proponents there were unwilling to limit production or convert operations to renewable energy, and the United States chose not to participate, although Gov. Gavin Newsom attended on his own, recognizing the importance of the event.

When you read the book—and it is never too late to join us—you will be confronted with some stark realities and scenarios. Just as powerfully, you will be presented with roads leading to hope, to action, and to community building and faith. The reality of climate change is huge and daunting. But small measures do add up and more importantly, introduce one family, one business, one community at a time, to actions that work.

All changes begin with a commitment. Climate change commitment will require a look back at our former decisions about consuming, production, and waste, and invite us all to look at what our actions mean to the health of our household, our futures, and our planet.

Think of “The Future We Choose Climate Initiative” as a support group and collaborative think tank for all interested in and proactive about safeguarding the wellbeing of current and future generations. The PEG Center hopes that by offering platforms for people to work together, we can accelerate climate actions for a future in which our children and planet will thrive, and where we can make these changes together in camaraderie and joy.

Please join us on January 29 at 6:30pm at Newburyport Senior and Community Center at 331 High Street. Contact us at www.thepegcenter.org for your free book and to join the initiative.

ACES team members believe everyone can make a BIG difference together. We invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter via the “Subscribe to Updates” link on ACES’ website – https://www.aces-alliance.org/. Please consider joining our community of stewards committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com and follow our Instagram @acesalliancenbpt and Facebook @ACESAlliance pages to stay informed.

This educational column was originally published on December 12, 2025 by The Daily News of Newburyport.