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Rotary Log for September12, 2019 Leo struck the bell and the meeting was underway. Seemingly, there was higher attendance than we’ve had for most of this lovely, albeit short, summer. With his bright baritone voice, John Rice led the gathering in “God Bless America.” Ian O’Neil followed with a well-spoken, and appreciated, invocation. The Prez then asked all Past-Presidents to stand. His generous testimonial to their efforts and contributions was echoed in the applause. Announcements The assemblage was reminded that our overachieving Past-President and District Governor, Dave Underhill, is shepherding Hurricane Dorian Relief. World Polio Day is October 24th. Our Club’s goal is to raise $5,000 for this critical, worldwide disease-eradication mission. Friends Forever is bringing back their Pints for Peace fundraiser on October 12th with more detailed information forthcoming. In late October, a trip to Guatemala titled “Safe Passage” is being led by Past District Governor Carolyn Johnson. This is in support of children who, tragically and unhealthily, reside in a city dump. For more information on this and other District 7780 initiatives visit www.rotary7780.org Dennis Moulton made a pitch for Rotary Rocks, the District Conference in Portland, October 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Abromson Community Education Center USM, 88 Bedford Street.) Twenty-five dollars gets attendees a chance to share ideas with clubs throughout the district. Sign up for a wonderful fellowship opportunity- lunch and dinner to boot! Mark your calendar for the next Rotary Social, announced intrepid club socialite Kailin. It’s September 25 from 5 to 7p.m. at the Gaslight. Any chance club humorist and barrister Jon Flagg will make an appearance at his favorite watering hole, some in attendance wondered? The Basic Needs Committee continues The Diaper Drive for Crossroads House at next week’s meeting reminded Jessica. Finally, Joanie, our incredibly, endurably, and dedicated Interact Club leader asked for three members to step up in support of the Portsmouth High School club. They meet on Thursday from 11:50 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Each volunteer takes one Thursday a month. Attend our meeting late, as she does; or get a make-up credit, advises Joanie. Club gobbledygook Nonsensical fines brought a few bucks into the coffers. The 50/50 raffle raised $39 dollars for the budget, with the same going to a thrilled Nancy Notis. Apparently, her car (?) truck(?) well…vehicle was running on fumes. Soon to rival the Mega Millions, the match next week is a potentially life-changing $300 dollars! The Speaker The self-described “rusty” Past-President Ben Wheeler introduced Dan Weeks, Director of Market Development for Revision Energy. Weeks and his company seek to be leaders in the transition to clean, sustainable, cost-saving energy, according to his biography. Commercial and residential solar is the enterprise. Club members appreciate when presenters stick to the important societal or policy ramifications of a topic such as this. Less welcomed are overt pitches for a speaker’s product or service. Weeks, a well-spoken and educated advocate, did not disappoint. Utilizing a set of data points he made a methodical, reasoned case for his cause. For the good of our state and the planet there will be an essential and inevitable shift to renewable sources of energy. That was the essence of his message. As a starting point, Weeks said that 81% of New Hampshire’s energy is non-renewable. This includes petroleum products, nuclear supply and natural gas. Only 19% is renewable: biomass, hydro, wind and solar. Biomass represents the largest part of that followed by a significant share of hydro power. Wind and Solar’s contributions are small but growing sources. The price of electricity is very high in New Hampshire, both in dollars and indirect costs, according to Weeks. He identified the greenhouse effects of trapped CO2 attributed to the use of fossil fuel. In the past few decades the average New Hampshire temperature has risen two degrees. If current trends continue it will be 12 degrees higher by century’s end. The state is experiencing a 70% increased volume of rainfall today compared to 1958. If these trends continue our weather will be akin to the Carolinas. Disturbingly, he continued, we are already experiencing extreme weather events. Rising tides and flooding are readily apparent in our area. Less obvious, perhaps, are tick infestations with the concomitant loss of wildlife, as well as increased cases of bronchitis and asthma. Additionally, the loss of maples has greatly reduced New Hampshire’s maple sugar production. At one time 90 % of our states’ supply of this sweet delight was produced here, with 10% from Canada. Today, those numbers are reversed. Is there a solution to these dire realities and projections, asked Weeks rhetorically? The answer, he posits, is an aggressive policy shift away from our 80-85% reliance on fossil fuels to 100% clean renewable energy by 2050. He believes this is possible with citizen advocacy and leadership from the Governor’s office and legislature. The effort can be accomplished by incentivizing and harnessing hydro power and expanding wind turbines, rooftop solar panels, and solar farms. Unfortunately, there was no time for questions after an interesting and professionally-delivered presentation. As the meeting concluded with the Four-Way Test one was left to consider what “will be good for all concerned?” Respectfully submitted, Neal Ouellett Photos by Sara Treacy
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