A smash success: Manhattan Beach pier goes dark for Earth Hour after successful MB2025 environmental forum
Children volunteers hold up LED-powered signs at the Earth Hour action on the Manhattan Beach Pier. Photo by Kelley Kim
On March 29, over 500 people gathered on the Manhattan Beach pier and switched on their LED-powered candles in the name of Earth Hour, a community action to demonstrate a commitment to making Manhattan Beach a 100 percent renewable energy powered city by 2025.
The candlelight action followed a two-and-a-half hour MB2025 forum at the Joslyn Community Center, where over 100 residents, environmental representatives, and elected officials listened to presentations by some of America’s leading environmental figures.
Forum speakers included Chris Paine, director of “Who Killed the Electric Car?”; Paul Scott, founding member of Plug-In America; and Andrea Giancoli, policy analyst for Beach Cities Health District Blue Zones Project. Bill McKibben and Congressman Henry Waxman also contributed with personalized video speeches. Joe Galliani, the director of 350.org’s South Bay chapter, emceed the symposium.
McKibben, a seminal author who has written extensively on climate change, sees hope for the future of Manhattan Beach.
“I know it feels you are surrounded by this fossil fuel monolith, that you can see Chevron in one direction and Exxon in the next direction and people are talking about putting oil wells all over the place,” McKibben said. “What you’ve got to know is these are the last gasps of something that is not going to be able to dominate our world that much longer…. It is very clear that if we keep doing what we are doing and the ocean keeps rising and rising, it will not be good for the beach towns of this country, or any place. So it’s very good news you are going to work [to utilize] renewable power. This should be deeply possible in a place as blessed with sun and wind as the place you are all at.”
McKibben’s parents lived in Manhattan Beach, one block from the beach, as young newlyweds. He grew up hearing stories about playing volleyball on the beach, or walking up to Hermosa Beach to hear Gerry Mulligan play jazz at the Lighthouse Café.
“[Manhattan Beach] is a place that lives in my mind,” McKibben said. “I am so glad you are going to its defense.”
The city is part of a growing global movement toward the adoption of 100 percent renewable energy sources. Research conducted by Renewables 100 Policy Institute, a non-profit organization founded by Diane Moss — who also spoke at the MB2025 forum — shows that eight countries, 41 cities, 48 regions, eight utilities, and 21 non-profit/educational/public institutions have shifted or are committed to shifting within the next few decades to 100 percent renewable energy in at least one sector. These areas represent 43.5 million people who will soon be committed to renewable energy.
“We may be a small, small community, but working on this, we are leading the way,” said Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth. “It’s incredible.”
The MB2025 Forum, held on March 29th in the Joslyn Center, brought over 100 residents, environmental advocates, and policy makers under one roof. Photo by Kelley Kim
Many local elected officials were in attendance, including former Hermosa Beach Councilman Jeff Duclos, who had recently returned from “climate reality” training with Al Gore in Johannesburg, South Africa; former Manhattan Beach mayor Portia Cohen; and Redondo Beach Councilman Bill Brand.
Congressman Waxman received the first annual Climate Champion Award given by South Bay 350 Climate Action Group. Waxman expressed his gratitude in a compelling video speech. “I am grateful for the recognition you have given me and even more so for all the crucial work you are doing to protect the environment for our children and grandchildren,” Waxman said.
Many local and national organizations showed their support for the forum including Environmental Priorities Network, Surfrider, Environment Now, Plug-in America, League of Women Voters, VOICE, Sustainable Surf, Sierra Club, and South Bay Bicycle Coalition.
The pier festivities were documented by ABC 7 television but also by a flying drone camera that buzzed around the pier. Scott Stiles from New Media Consulting provided the drone camera and captured special aerial shots and video of the event.
Joe Galliani, 350.org’s South Bay director, addresses the Earth Hour crowd on Manhattan Beach pier. Photo by Kelley Kim
“It was a smash success,” said Galliani. “My hope was that the city would see the merit in it, and want to move forward with it, and that’s exactly what they’re saying now.” The City Council, Galliani says, is currently making plans to meet with energy specialists and intends to draft a resolution to make Manhattan Beach a fully renewable energy powered city.
“The MB2025 Forum and the Earth Hour Pier event were fantastic and such a great example of environmental leadership for the city,” said Sona Coffee, environmental programs manager for the City of Manhattan Beach. “I am looking forward to discussing the goals presented at the forum with our community and our City Council to determine what direction the city will go in. It’s a very exciting vision and something I hope that other neighboring communities will explore as well.”