Author and climate activist Bill McKibben will address the Friends of the West Roxbury Library the evening of Tuesday, October 28, at the auditorium of the Lyndon Pilot School, adjacent to the library at 20 Mt. Vernon Street. All Friends events are free and open to the public.
Doors of the auditorium will open at 6:00 PM and McKibben will speak at 7 p.m. Copies of McKibben's 20th book, "Here Somes the Sun," will be sold at the event
McKibben's new book argues that solar, wind, and batteries are now the "cheapest and cleanest ways to power our world." Even China and emerging economies recognize this and have turned to renewables, he reports. But in the U.S., he says. "politicians are getting in the way."
McKibben alleges that oil and gas companies have allies in the federal government working to stop solar and wind development. On the local level, he blames excessive regulation, outdated permitting processes, and slow-moving utilities that prevent communities from embracing renewables and benefitting from the cost savings they bring. He is irritated by the term "alternative energy."
The Friends will begin selling copies of "Here Comes the Sun" as soon as the doors open at 6 p.m. on October 28. Cash or checks will be accepted but NO CREDIT CARDS.