And suddenly, it’s fall. 

 

We want to know what you think! 

 

You may have seen our survey in the Quinnehtukqut in the past few months. 

 

The Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter is unique because we are run by our volunteers, people who share a strong commitment to our environment. Your input will help shape our priorities and programs. What environmental issues matter most to you and your community? What would you like to see us focus on more?

 

This month we will be closing the survey and presenting a report of the results to our Executive Committee. Please take a minute and fill out the survey to help us serve you better!

 

This September we are celebrating the sun with a nationwide SUN DAY! 

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The sun gives us lifegiving warmth and light as well as food to eat by powering photosynthesis. And did you know that wind power is another form of the sun’s energy? As the sun heats up only parts of the Earth at any one time, it creates areas of low and high pressure that make the wind blow. 

 

Clean energy from the sun: solar power, wind power, and the batteries to store that energy are all being built in increasing numbers. Renewables are now the cheapest way to produce energy. The cost of solar energy has reduced drastically and is now 41% less expensive than using fossil fuels. Offshore wind is already 53% cheaper! 

 

It is unstoppable!

 

As part of the nationwide efforts, Sierra Club Connecticut, along with many of our allied groups, are working to host a weekend of events to celebrate the power and potential of the sun. On Sunday, September 21, there will be a statewide event at Central Connecticut State University, in New Britain from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

 

There will be events around the state on Saturday, September 20 as well. I hope you will be able to join us at some of them. Details are on our events page along with many others that we have planned for this season. You can learn more about national Sun Day at sunday.earth. 

• See the map and full list of Sun Day events.

• Local events include:

  • Saturday, September 20 - Sun Shines on Branford: Educational presentations, creative interactive workshops, a solar home tour, children's sun-themed books and art projects, music, and more will add to the joyous festivities of the day.

  • Saturday, September 20 - Sun Day West Hartford: Electric Showcase: This electric showcase will feature electric vehicles, electric bikes and scooters, electric lawn care, solar, heat pumps, battery charging and more. Get your questions answered by people who own and operate these technologies. This is a family friendly event with activities for kids. 

  • Saturday, September 20 - Sun Day on Saturday, Mansfield: Celebrate our sun and the ways it can power our future! We will have musicians, speakers, artists, solar exhibits, a children's Sun Zone, and much more.

  • Sunday, September 21 – Sun Day Stamford: Join us for festivities, and fun at Mill River park with tables from Stamford based organizations that celebrate our message of community and environmentalism! 

• The statewide event:

  • Sunday, September 21 - Connecticut Sun Day Festival in New Britain: Come to a "big tent" Sun Day gathering in central Connecticut with speakers, music, the arts, activities for all ages, exhibitors, an EV demonstration, and a great hopeful spirit. This gathering will take place both outdoors and indoors to celebrate the many towns and cities that came together with Sun Day events across the state the day before!

 

If you are considering adding solar PV, heat pumps, or other clean and efficient upgrades to your home or business, be aware that many of the federal incentives for solar end at the end of 2025. 

 

Note: If you are looking for an electric vehicle, the federal tax credits for EVs end on September 30, 2025.

 

State incentives are still available for solar, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and appliances. And home energy audits are still a bargain and the first step to improve your home’s energy envelope and get professional advice on what would be the most effective next steps you could take – from insulation to solar! Start by searching EnergizeCT.com for information on residential/commercial and municipal programs and the latest on rebates and incentives.

 

Solar power is transforming the energy world, leading us to a brighter future. Other technologies use our natural environment to create power too. Geothermal uses the ground’s natural temperature to heat and cool our homes. Heat pumps use the air itself, and now, scientists have found a way to create electricity from the air as well. 

 

Nature has its ways of healing the Earth and gives us the keys to living on the Earth in harmony with the natural world. Our September 11 webinar, Protecting Our Public Lands in Southern Utah: What It Means For All Of Us, with guest speaker Rachel Carlson of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, will focus on the ecosystem of the desert and why protecting public lands out West is a powerful nature-based solution to help us all in the fight to slow climate change.

 

Let’s do all we can to value Nature, and to protect the world we love.

 

Let’s celebrate the sun!

 

Susan

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Susan Eastwood is Chapter Chair of Sierra Club Connecticut.