Newsletter Volume 3 • Number 9
More frequent storm events wash pollution into the Sound
Part 2 of a three part series on how global warming is hurting our town
Our picturesque beaches are why many of us love Greenwich, but swimming is increasingly off limits, because fecal bacteria levels may be too high. Greenwich Point and Byram Beach were closed to swimming following recent storms, and a water quality watchdog has downgraded all our beaches this year to as low as an F grade for Byram Beach!
It’s climate change that’s the culprit, responsible for a 38% increase in annual precipitation in Connecticut, compared to the historical average. More stormwater runoff washes more animal excrement and other pollutants into streams that flow into the Sound, and can force our treatment plant to release more sewer water that’s not been fully cleansed.
You don’t need us to tell you that swimming in water contaminated with fecal bacteria is gross. It’s also dangerous to your health. That’s why local health departments close our beaches to swimming when it rains a lot. Swimming closures or advisories have steadily increased at CT beaches over the last two decades, and in 2023 happened 220 times.
Hence our beach downgrades by Save the Sound:
- Byram Beach’s letter grade dropped from a C in 2022 to an F in 2023
- Greenwich Point Beach, from a B to a C+
- Great Captain Island Beach, from an A+ to a C
- Island Beach, from an A+ to a B-
You are not powerless when it comes to preserving our beaches
- Call on our town’s Health Department to make improving water quality for swimmers at our beaches a town priority;
- If you have a septic system, have it inspected at least every three years;
- Vote for Democrats, who are committed to putting the brakes on climate change, and building up our resilience to the impact of storms. They include our entire statehouse slate, and our federal delegation, which recently brought home $700 million to tackle climate change from the Biden-Harris Administration’s investing in America initiative.
See Part 1 of this series, “It’s 96 degrees in the shade, again,” about Greenwich’s air quality in a time of climate change, and what you can do to improve it.
Inspired? Volunteer!
A new energy has infused the Democratic Party in the last couple weeks, driven by a sense that together we can change the ominous direction of the nation’s politics. If you’re feeling it, here’s your chance to act. There’s a place for you as we gear up to get out the vote for our four state office elections, federal seats and of course the presidential campaign.
As a volunteer with the Greenwich Democratic Town committee you can do everything from staffing our headquarters and knocking on doors, to making phone calls and standing at the polls.
Whether you’ve got a few hours, or want to make this your volunteer side-gig for the next several months, we can use your help!
No experience necessary! Just your time, your skills, and your commitment to see this election through to victory! Please contact us right away if you are inspired. Let us know what you want to do to help us sweep this election.
Democratic Action Calendar
Volunteer.
Sign up to volunteer with the Greenwich Democrats this election season.
August 2. Call.
Nick Simmons virtual phone bank: Friday, August 2: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Join Zoom here.
August 3 & 4. Canvass.
Join the Nick Simmons campaign canvass this Saturday or Sunday. RSVP here for details.
August 2, 5 & 7. Canvass.
Join the Rachel Khanna campaign canvass this Friday or next Monday and Wednesday. RSVP here for details.
August 6 & 8. Call.
Rachel Khanna virtual phone banks, 4:00. Signup here.
August 8. Let’s beach.
Wine and Cheese at Tod’s Point, 5:30-sunset. Sign up here.
September 8. Picnic.
It’s time to officially kick off Election 2024! Join us at our annual GDTC Picnic and meet our candidates and elected Democratic officials. This election couldn’t be more critical, so please donate as generously as you can. We look forward to seeing you September 8! Click here to Register
| Volume 3, Number 9 • August 1, 2024 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |