This film kicks off the 2017 Climate Smart Educational Series with stories about neighbors creating community solutions all around the world for sustainable food, energy, and transportation systems, economics and education. We can sometimes feel overwhelmed in the face of the various crises of our times, including climate change. This film has inspired people across America by offering constructive solutions to act on a local level while making a difference on a global level.

This film has been greeted with rave reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes posting a Critic Score of 92%.

A warming climate presents new challenges to the Flathead Valley, but it also offers many opportunities to strengthen communities and the local economy. That is the theme of a four-part educational series sponsored this fall by Climate Smart Glacier Country in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls.
Climate Smart Glacier Country is a nonprofit partnership formed by local businesses and organizations, local communities and Glacier National Park to create local solutions to the challenges of climate change.

While the partnership focuses on local opportunities and solutions, it also is important to openly acknowledge and discuss emerging stresses related to a changing climate. The second program of the series on October 16 in Kalispell will feature Montana’s top climate scientists who will present Montana’s first statewide assessment of climate trends, future projections, and likely impacts on Montana agriculture, forests and water.

The third program on November 8 in Whitefish will consider what a warming world means for hunting, fishing and winter recreation in Montana. And a final forum on November 16 in Columbia Falls will explore the economic and social benefits of Montana’s transition to a clean energy economy.

All events are free and open to the public. Here’s the schedule for the 2017 Climate Smart Educational Series:

Thursday, September 28, 7 p.m. in Whitefish: TOMORROW – A film about community, creativity and. Co-sponsored by AERO, the Alternative Energy Resource Organization. Venue: O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center.

Monday, October 16, 1-4 p.m. in Kalispell: MONTANA CLIMATE SCIENCE DAY – A presentation of the first Montana Climate Assessment by a team of scientists at the University of Montana and Montana State University. Co-sponsored by UM, MSU, and Flathead Valley Community College. Venue: FVCC Arts and Technology Building Large Community Room.

Wednesday, November 8, 7 p.m. in Whitefish: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN: A Multi-Media Evening of Fishing & Hunting, Climate Change & Snow Featuring Hilary Hutcheson, Ryan Busse and Todd Tanner. Co-sponsored by Protect our Winters, Conservation Hawks, and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Venue: O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center.

Thursday, November 16, 7 p.m. in Columbia Falls: ENVISIONING MONTANA’S CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY – A forum featuring local clean energy businesses and a new UM research white paper on the social and economic impacts of Montana’s transition to a renewable energy future. Venue: Cedar Creek Lodge.

Funding support provided by Whitefish Community Foundation, Cinnabar Foundation and Whitefish Credit Union.