We are beginning a series of articles highlighting Sierra Club Connecticut members who you might like to know! We’ll begin with a member of our Executive Committee, Kate Donnelly. 

 

Kate Donnelly (she-her) is a long time environmental advocate who lives in Hampton. She is co-founder and chair of the Hampton Green Energy Committee, member of the Windham/Willimantic NAACP Environmental Justice Committee, No More Dirty Power in Killingly, and the Sierra Club Connecticut Executive Committee.

 

What’s the most memorable environmental moment you have been part of?

The first Earth Day in 1970. One-tenth of the entire population of the U.S. took part in marches and clean ups all over the nation. This was a dark time during the Vietnam War, when our environment was in crisis, but Earth Day was a positive movement that brought about the beginning of air and water regulations.

 

What ways do you reduce your impact on the environment that you feel best about? 

I feel great about solar! In the 1970’s, I built my own solar heater to provide electricity. We now heat and cool with heat pumps, have two electric cars, and two buildings all powered by solar.

 

What is your top environmental goal? How would you achieve it? 

My goal is to make solar and “real” renewables the main source of electricity in our world.

 

What would our world be like in 2050 if you did achieve your goal? 

If I achieve my goals, the world of 2050 would depend on decentralized solar, wind, geothermal and heat pumps for most of its energy needs; there would be housing codes that require solar and batteries in all new construction. 

 

Kate, you are a life-long grassroots activist for peace and social justice.

What environmental win has inspired you most or most recently? 

Defeating the Killingly Power Plant! People said it was impossible, that it was a done deal. But people across the state fought it, led by local opposition. It took a variety of strategies and determination over five years. 

 

What is your first memory of being in nature? 

Swimming in the lake behind my parents’ house.

 

Where do you go in Connecticut most frequently to get into nature? 

I live in the country so I can go into my backyard to be in nature. I love to swim so I go anywhere near the water. Harkness and Hammonasset State Parks are some of my favorite spots.

 

How do you like to re-energize/nourish yourself while fighting for a cleaner, greener world? 

I reenergize myself by swimming. I love the ponds and lakes of Eastern CT. 

 

What gives you hope in your environmental advocacy? 

I do have hope beyond what governments may or may not do. I see many in the private sector working hard to create solutions to the climate crisis. That along with protests, lobbying, nonviolent civil disobedience actions, and the work of local grassroots community organizing by people of all ages and backgrounds inspires me. We need more intersectional organizing addressing so many issues we are confronted with today.

 

Thank you, Kate, for talking with me!

 

Susan Eastwood is Chair of Sierra Club Connecticut’s Communications Committee.