VECAN Conference 2019

VECAN Conference 2019 - Meeting the Moment: Collectively Confronting the Climate Crisis

Conference Description:

Featuring 14 workshops and a dynamic keynote address from Maine Representative Chloe Maxmin, this year’s inspiring conference aimed at supporting and growing the statewide network of town energy committees and building the capacity and expertise of any Vermonter interested in being part of the solution to the climate crisis.

The day also offered unparalleled networking opportunities, both with local energy leaders as well as Vermont’s leading clean energy businesses, organizations, institutions, and state agency partners. There was ample opportunity to connect with and visit the tables of the sponsoring organizations, including solar installers, weatherization experts, financing and funding institutions, transportation innovators, nonprofit leaders, and many more.

Keynote: Chloe Maxmin - Growing a Climate Movement Rooted in Rural America

Chloe Maxmin, 27, is the Representative for the rural Maine House District 88. She ran for the Maine House of Representatives in 2018 in her hometown, winning her primary with 80% of the vote and the General Election with 52.4% of the vote, making her the first Democrat to win the District 88 seat. Chloe’s expertise and focus is on building a durable, values-based movement — with a particular focus on rural regions — to combat the climate crisis.

Chloe was raised on her family’s farm in Nobleboro, Maine, and has been a community organizer for 14 years. Chloe co-founded Divest Harvard – a campaign calling on Harvard University to divest from fossil fuels that ultimately drew 70,000 supporters. In 2015, after graduation from Harvard, Chloe returned to Maine. Prior to that, Chloe founded First Here, Then Everywhere to empower youth climate activists.

Her life-long climate activism has won her broad recognition. She is the recipient of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes and the Brower Youth Award, she was named a “Green Hero” by Rolling Stone and recognized by the Washington Post, CNN and many other news outlets for her leadership. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloemaxmin.