MR. ROGERS WAS RIGHT!

Fred Rogers, an American children’s TV educator “Mr. Rogers” had a highly insightful song that he sung: “Everything grows together. Because you're all one piece. Your ears grow. As your nose grows. As the rest of you grows. Because you're all one piece.”

He had it right about the Earth not just how children grow. Everything matters. Everything is connected. And because its complicated and complex we need to break all that down into workable pieces if we want to make headway in an era of chaotic climate change That’s why the UN has been working to develop tools for governments, businesses and non-profits to help foster resiliency and ultimately be sustainable.

The UN has put together sustainable development goals https://sdgs.un.org/goals that layout lots of things needed to get the Earth back on a track to sustainability. Locally ACES focus has been on only some of those goals, those related to climate and the environment. But to make our overall Communities Green, Resilient, and ultimately Sustainable, it will take social cohesion, education, business, governance, and collaboration to work well. Is there enough housing, work opportunities, social safety nets, and shared values? Do the communities of interest, that need to work together, understand the importance of the contributions that they toward sustainability?  

Shortages of housing for all income levels are huge right now. How do Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury and West Newbury collaborate and work to meet the moment as new MA laws like the MBTA development mandates? How can this evolve if private investment and governmental subsides are not adequate. Is increased building density needed so we can maintain and not reduce open and natural lands? 

What about rising sea levels? What is the likely situation in this region for seal level in 2050? Are some places, like those in flood zones, no longer safe or buildable for the long run? How do we understand and prudently tradeoff land conservation, and risks of climate change to build right and build more? Where can we build needs to be approached with creativity? How about south of the MBTA station in Newbury? Can new apartment construction go there like that at Boston Way?

It also takes all the economic considerations, as well as social or people, factors to make it work. Will financial and insurance companies flexibly support protecting our shores, while building more housing, while preserving land and planting more trees? As Mr. Rogers sang to many of us 

as kids, “it all has to work together”. Does the society have an economic system that provides the where-with-all to invest in new clean energy solutions, future oriented education for its citizens, basic and protective infrastructure and basic utilities such as water, sewers, electricity, public transportation? 

It’s a big job that the UN Sustainable Development Goals [SDG] outline for us but it will take the focus by the governmental powers of the cities and towns in greater Newburyport. And it will take all Communities to evolve their operating models to ensure their continued success in the face of climate change. What is needed for members of commercial entities like the Chamber of Commerce, banks, insurance agents, supermarkets, and public utilities learn to cooperate in moving towards a more resilient and ultimately sustainable community?

From ACES' point of view, we believe it is critical to look at our local ecosystems including everything from the river and waterfront to local farms, parks, and woodlands. We will continue to work to educate our community on these issues. Meanwhile groups; such as the YWCA advocates for housing and our Neighbors Table are focused on food security. The cities and towns including the City of Newburyport and Amesbury, both MA Green Communities, are focused on leading the way in clean energy, rezoning for more housing while enhancing their parks, bike lanes and bus routes, and reducing waste. 

Mr. Rogers was right. We all have to work together to save the beautiful place we are privileged to live. The ACES leadership team believes that Each One of Us has a MORAL OBLIGATION to contribute to the mental and physical wellbeing of Future Generations.

ACES believes we can make a BIG difference together. Team members invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter via the “Join Our List” link on this page. Please consider joining our community of stewards who are committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com.

This educational column first appeared in The Daily News of Newburyport on January 24, 2025.

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