Celebration Barn, Paris, Maine
May 15-16, 2026
Save the Date: May 14-15, 2027!
Celebration Barn Theater, Paris, Maine
2030 Vision: Resilient Roots, Joyful Shoots was indeed joy-filled as we gathered again under the apple trees and inside the theater at Celebration Barn to share climate solutions. Over two days, we hosted twelve workshops facilitated by community members and leaders, examining creative approaches to our energy system, how we grow food, how we take care of ourselves, and so much more. In talking about conducting energy efficiency upgrades in rural communities, College of the Atlantic student Helen Lloyd said that in focusing on the economic co-benefits, it’s almost as if the environmental benefits are “a happy little accident, except it’s not an accident.” Keith Carson and Rhiannon Hampson delivered keynotes diving into how we talk to each other and form connections to strengthen the movement. Keith reminded us to allow people to be contradictions, and that it’s our job to spread the word that solar is the cheapest form of energy. Rhiannon Hampson spoke about the collective grief of climate change and the fact that we’re all in this together regardless of our beliefs. Darren Ranco and Lokotah Sanborn spoke about land return in Maine and the connections between indigenous land stewardship and addressing climate change, while Carl Costanzi offered the perspective of an ally at a white-led land trust working for land return. Our movement cross-pollination panel brought together leaders from eight organizations focusing on the movements for migrant and racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender justice to share the connections between their work and climate justice. Join us in July for the continuation of this conversation! Alex Tatarksy’s show Dirt Trip explored the history of clowns in society’s darkest moments, and the possibilities that come with decomposition (who knew that climate, clowns, and compost had so much in common?!).
We’ve continued to hold this space each spring as we believe the power of converging is necessary and worthwhile to our community. We remain thankful that each year, new faces and familiar ones join us to share what they’ve done and learned, and what they’re hoping to do with the strength in numbers and collaborative energy of the Climate Convergence community.
Friday Keynote: Keith Carson
Keith Carson comes to Maine Conservation Voters after a nearly 20 year career in broadcasting, where he covered local weather on News Center Maine as well as national events at The Weather Channel. Here in Maine, he led well-received and far-reaching segments on climate change and extreme weather.
As Director of Environmental and Science Communications at MCV, Keith continues to work to educate Mainers on the science of climate change, clean energy and other environmental topics. He works to broaden the group of people who are interested in making positive changes for the earth; even if they are motivated by different reasons. His methods to achieve this are a little unorthodox and often riddled with humor. In his spare time Keith likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, 80s night at Bubbas Sulky Lounge, and debating the merits of the EURO model versus the Canadian.
Saturday Keynote: Rhiannon Hampson
Room at the Table: Finding common ground and community across the divide
We are neighbors, and in a state the size of Maine, that means something. Gleaning from her own experience as a rural Mainer, a dairy and livestock farmer, and a policy maker working on heritage industry and environmental issues, Rhiannon will reflect on what is needed to rise to this moment of division on this literal common ground we share in the face of climate breakdown. As issues like drought, PFAS exposure, and extreme weather affect us all no matter what our ideology may be, how do we recognize the common grief we share and navigate changes together? Making space to do this work in the face of increasing cultural and political tensions is getting harder, and at the same time, even more necessary. Rhiannon will share her thoughts and experiences and then will be joined by Ania Wright for a fireside chat to continue the conversation as it relates to the broader climate movement in Maine and beyond.
Rhiannon Hampson is a dairy and livestock farmer, a lifelong rabble rouser and an occasional bureaucrat. She brings decades of advocacy and community engagement experience to her work in economic development. Having been raised in some of the most rural pockets of Maine, and graduating from the University of Maine at Machias, Rhiannon is committed to ensuring that ALL voices have a place in planning Maine’s future.
She is Vice President for Economic Development at Gulf of Maine Research Institute, where she supports heritage industries along Maine's coast in determining how they are meeting the future. While previously serving as the Biden-Harris appointed State Director of USDA Rural Development, Rhiannon worked on policy and programming to help mitigate the effects of climate change, while supporting small businesses and families. Believing that our heritage industries can be drivers of climate solutions, she co-owns and operates a regenerative livestock and organic dairy farm in Knox County, with her family.
Friday Evening Show: Alex Tatarsky's Dirt Trip
Credits
Created and Performed by Alex Tatarsky
Music and Sound Design by Shane Riley
Costumes by Andreea Mincic
Dramaturgy by Iris McCloughan
This show explores the fertile terrain between clowning and composting. Linking American pop-cultural angst over the evil clown to efforts to banish garbage and urban blight, Tatarsky examines our fears of figures and substances that suggest transitional, ambiguous, and disordered states. Contents include the ballad of an unemployed court jester who desires to be a rotting vegetable and a lecture that decays into a heap of dirt.
“Dirt Trip is a beautiful blend of tightly researched monologues and manic physical improvisation.” – Noa Weiss, The Brooklyn Rail
“Gross and essential” – Savannah Reich, Cannonball
What is a Climate Convergence anyway? Each year, our 2030 Vision Climate Convergence provides two days of community connection around climate justice. It is an honor for us to be able to hold this space to convene around a common cause, learn from each other, and celebrate the collective wisdom of a diverse and dispersed climate movement in Maine and beyond. If you've never been to one of our convergences before, check out the recordings from previous years.
Come along with us for two days of movement building in Norway, Maine. 2030 Vision: Connect Catalyze Create took place May 17-18, 2024. This was the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy's fifth annual climate convergence, our flagship event of the year, where we convene around shared work to address the climate crisis to learn from each other and strengthen our movement.
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