Anyone who says the green movement lacks leaders hasn’t been to a Bill McKibben event in New Hampshire. Hundreds of people packed into the South Church to hear the author and climate activist from neighboring Vermont speak during his 2008 visit to Portsmouth.

McKibben returns to New Hampshire on January 26, 2012 for a Climate Change Awareness Lecture at the Congregational Church in Exeter, UCC, located at 21 Front Street.  The event starts at 7:00 PM, but judging by past crowds at McKibben events around the Seacoast, attendees should plan to arrive a little early.

A prolific writer who has scribed a dozen books on the environment, McKibben’s 1989 classic The End of Nature is today regarded as one of the earliest wake up calls on global warming. Copies of this and his new book, Eaarth: Making Life Tough on a Living Planet, are now available at Water Street Bookstore in downtown Exeter.

Through grassroots organizing projects like 350.org and Tar Sands Action, McKibben has amplified the voice of Americans who fear the oil industry’s efforts to construct a massive new pipeline through the nation’s heartland will significantly boost greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbate global climate change. He was among the 1,253 activists arrested in Washington during last year’s protests against the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline, which at one point saw more than 12,000 people gather around the White House to send a message to President Barack Obama. The Obama administration responded by announcing a 12-18 month long review of the pipeline proposal, effectively killing the project for the short-term.

“A done deal has come spectacularly undone,” McKibben said at the time. “The American people spoke loudly about climate change and the president responded.”

Facebook is already abuzz with comments about McKibben’s visit.

“Bill’s visit will help to stimulate a wave of climate action in New Hampshire,” promises local 350.org organizer Jonathan Gregory of Concord. “With the 2012 NH Primary past, the work is just beginning for engaged citizens. We must take the opportunity while we have it to form resilient community organizations that can respond to climate and energy debates.”

The Keystone XL oil pipeline could prove to be a major point of contention between Democrats and Republicans during the 2012 election. While White House Press Secretary Jay Carney has said that climate change will be a factor in President Obama’s final decision on the pipeline, just about all of the Republican presidential candidates have spoken in support of the proposal. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has described environmentalists’ concerns about global warming as an “abstract reason” to oppose the project.

“I don’t think it should be a priority at all right now, except for research,” Gingrich said of global warming during a November interview with conservative talk show host Mark Levin.

That political dichotomy sets the stage for a major showdown between the fossil fuel industry and environmentalists between now and Election Day. Local 350.org organizer Jonathan Gregory of Concord hopes the high stakes will motivate local residents who care about the environment to join the cause. He invites those who attend McKibben’s event to attend an 8:00 PM post-lecture conversation at Blue Moon Evolution, a sustainable café and restaurant located at 8 Clifford St. in downtown Exeter.

 “Come join us for a round table discussion about climate change solutions and taking political action in your community, immediately following Bill’s talk,” said Gregory. “Our friends at the Blue Moon will be graciously opening their doors to motivated attendees who would like to network and begin planning action strategies for the community.”

Food and beverages will be available.

A representative from the Portsmouth-based Green Alliance will be on hand at the lecture and round table to discuss the organization’s efforts to make local green businesses a core part of the Seacoast region’s economy.

“I am totally excited to see Bill McKibben back on the Seacoast,” said GA Director Sarah Brown. “He’s really inspiring. I see him as one of the founders of the modern day environmental movement. He took what Al Gore did and made it easy for people to get involved.”

Green Alliance memberships will be on sale for just $25 prior to McKibben’s lecture, $10 off the usual price. Members can use their Green Card to receive discounts 98 local green businesses, including hundreds of dollars in savings offered by renewable energy companies located in Maine and New Hampshire.

Learn more about the Green Alliance