Climate change is inevitable, but how much there is depends on human actions now to reduce the effects of global warming, Brendan Kober, a renewable energy specialist, told Wiscasset Garden Club members on October 4.

"If we stopped putting carbon dioxide in the air today," he said, "the climate would still change for the next 50 years. We are locked into change, but how much it changes depends on our actions."

The garden club monthly luncheon and meeting was held in Chapin Hall at the Chewonki Foundation, a non-profit institution located on a 400-acre peninsula between the towns of Woolwich and Wiscasset. The institution runs educational programs with an environmental focus.

Kober works on the Chewonki environmental education staff as a specialist in renewable energy. He earned a BS in Geology from the State University of New York at Oneonta, and taught high school earth science before coming to Chewonki three years ago.

Kober outlined ways that Chewonki is conserving energy and using renewable energy technologies, citing the institution's use of solar energy, biofuels, and water conservation. He noted that Chewonki recently completed 'an across the board' study of the foundation's 'carbon footprint' -- in order to initiate ways to reduce energy use.

Kober noted that Chewonki subscribes to the Maine Interfaith Power and Light program, which supports the operation of 'a sustainable green certified dam' on the Androscoggin River, the Worumbo Dam in Lisbon Falls, which produces zero-emission electricity while also protecting fish in the Androscoggin.

He also said Chewonki uses experimental electric vehicles, and added that all four of the people from Portland who work at Chewonki carpool daily in order to save energy. Kober told club members that "as much as you can reduce your personal use (of energy), it's the way to go."

Chewonki's future plans, he said, include the use of wind power and continued improvements to its buildings to reduce further the carbon footprint.

Prior to his talk, club members discussed among themselves the likely negative effects on the area's environment if a coal gasification power plant and refinery in Wiscasset were to be built.

Persons interested in joining the Garden Club of Wiscasset should contact Jackie Weare on 207 633-5905. The club's goals include community involvement, and the promotion of education so members become caretakers of the air, water, forests, land and wildlife.