Hayward Book-to-Action takes on climate change with shoreline “March for Science” on Earth Day

HAYWARD, Calif., April 4, 2017—Against a backdrop at the federal level of proposed cuts in environmental protection spending, relaxing of power plant-emission controls and questioning of otherwise seemingly settled questions of humanity’s contributions to global warming, Hayward’s Book-to-Action dives in with its 2017 program called Confronting Climate Change. 

Sponsored by the Library and City of Hayward, Cal State East Bay, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, Sun Gallery and Friends of the Hayward Library, Confronting Climate Change kicks off with a pair of book discussions of Bill Nye’s Unstoppable—Harnessing Science to Change the World.  The discussions are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. April 11 at Hayward Main Library and at noon  April 18 in the Biella Room at Cal State East Bay Library.  Free copies of the book can be requested and RSVPs for all events can be made at www.HaywardBooktoAction.org.

On April 19, a community discussion on environment and equity will be facilitated by W. Kamau Bell, following a keynote address by the Emmy-nominated, socio-political comedian and host of the CNN series United Shades of America.  The address by Mr. Bell and community discussion will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. at Cal State East Bay’s University Theater.  Free admission is sponsored by Cal State East Bay Associated Students, Inc., and free parking is available at campus Lots A & B. Attendees may also take the University’s free shuttle from the Hayward BART station. Attendees must register for free tickets at the event website.

To coincide with the national March for Science and Earth Day, a local March for Science will take place from 10 a.m. to noon April 22 starting at the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center.  Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the 1.5-mile walk will include an aerial photo and proceed along a segment of the Bay Trail that is projected to be underwater by the year 2050 due to rising sea levels resulting from climate change.  Participants are invited to make wearable Brain Hats, art and signs for the event at workshops scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 8 at the Hayward Public Library and April 15 at the Sun Gallery. 

The Book-to-Action 2017 series concludes with a free screening of the award-winning documentary Tomorrow, which tells the story of pioneering communities in 10 different countries responding and devising strategies to avert social and ecological disaster resulting from climate change.  Seating for the free screening at 6:30 p.m. May 18 in the City Council Chambers at Hayward City Hall is limited and RSVPs are strongly recommended to reserve admission. 

In 2011, the Hayward Public Library launched the first Book to Action program in the state of California.  It has since blossomed into a statewide collaborative initiative between the California State Library and the California Center for the Book.  In 2015, Book to Action became a collaborative effort between the Hayward Public Library and Cal State East Bay. 

The premise of Book to Action is to: 

1. Read a book that enables readers to put new-found knowledge into action through a community service project 
2. Discuss with a book group 
3. Meet the author and/or watch a film based on the topic 
4. Act by volunteering in the community 

To learn more about starting your own Book to Action project, please visit California State Library and the California Center for the Book at Book-to-Action Tool Kit.