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The Day After Tomorrow...The Challenge: Global Warming

United Valley Libraries presents this annual opportunity for all individuals in the Valley to share a common reading experience. This year's theme focuses on the topic of global warming, a serious threat to our environment caused by the burning of fossil fuels. This awareness project runs through March & April.

Calendar of Events

Power to the People: Utility Bills and Alternative Energy

Professor Frederick Loxsom holds the endowed chair in Sustainable Energy Studies at ECSU. He will discuss the unique problems facing residents of New Haven and Fairfield counties and the actions residents can take to contain rising costs of conventional electric service.

Wednesday March 7, 6:30 p.m. | Please register at Seymour Public Library.

Building Green

Lindsay Suter, Architect and Lecturer at Yale University, will discuss the structural elements for passive heating and cooling and how these can be incorporated into new homes, older homes, and additions.

Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m. | Please register at Seymour Public Library.

Clean Water Action

Roger Smith discusses how global warming is a serious threat that is having negative impacts now, and is expected to expand dramatically in scope and severity. Global warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which creates a blanket of heat-trapping pollution in the atmosphere.

Thursday, March 15, 5:30 p.m. | Please register at Oxford Public Library.

Photovoltaics for the 21st Century:

Converting Visible Light into Electricity

John Rountree and Mark Pizzi of Westport Solar Consultants will discuss recent developments in passive technology. Solar consultants work with municipalities, businesses and homeowners. Often grants are available for installations. This program is sponsored by the CT Clean Energy Fund.

Wednesday, March 21, 7:00 p.m. | Please register at Seymour Public Library.

Organic Gardening: Good for You, Good for the Environment

Becky Laughlin from Moose Hill Farm in Oxford will present this very informative and timely program outlining the benefits of organic gardening for the individual, the food supply and the environment. Ms. Laughlin is a master gardener with over twenty years of experience. Along with plants, she also raises bees and chickens.

Tuesday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. | Please register at Derby Public Library.

Global Warming Story Hour

A special story hour for children ages 5-8 years. Children will learn what has caused global warming, and what they can do to slow it. The program is limited to 15 children.

Wednesday, March 28, 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Please call the Ansonia Library children's department to register: 734-6728

Alternative Sources of Energy

Mark Garrett, Outreach Manager for Community Energy, will discuss the topic of global warming and offer alternative sources of energy.

Tuesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. | Please register at Derby Public Library.

Film Presentation: The Day After Tomorrow

Professor Jack Hall (Quaid), a paleoclimatologist, tries to save the world from the effects of global warming while also trying to get to his son, Sam (Gyllenhaal), in New York City as part of a scholastic competition, when the city is overwhelmed by the chilling beginnings of the new Ice Age.

Tuesday, April 10, 6:00 p.m. | Derby Neck Library

Film Presentation: An Inconvenient Truth

Director Davis Guggenheim eloquently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change.

Thursday, April 12, 6:00 p.m. | Derby Neck Library

Worms Eat My Garbage: The Kellogg Environmental Center presents this program describing how worms help our gardens, composting and other ideas for children on gardening and the environment. With the spring season upon us, this program will inspire families to get back to nature.

Friday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. | Please register at Derby Public Library.

Discussion About Climate Change

Monday, April 16, 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Derby Neck Library

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction

Join us for a talk by noted Connecticut TV Meteorologist Art Horn. Refreshments will be provided.

Tuesday, April 17, 7:00 p.m. | Derby Neck Library

Wednesday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. | Beacon Falls Public Library

Smart Growth is Smart for Connecticut with Heidi Green of 1000 Friends of Connecticut

Tuesday, April 24, 7:00 p.m. | Derby Neck Library

Special Contest for Middle and High School Students

Submit an essay, PowerPoint presentation, poster, diorama, collage, sculpture, song, poem, short story or bulletin board on the topic of "My Family Plan for Saving Energy". All entries must be submitted to the Derby Neck Library no later than May 20, 2007. Prizes for First and Second place in each level is a gift certificate to the store, theater or restaurant of your choice!

Letter to city officials

Each library of United Valley Libraries has written to town administrators to request that they work toward designation as a green community. View a PDF copy of the letter (free adobe acrobat reader required.)