Retired Auburn pastor has plan for 50th Earth Day

Ken Winter speaks in a smooth tone – articulate, detailed and explanatory. Picture the driver in the middle lane, cruising along at the allowed speed while so many others race by, recklessly whipping back and forth on wide-open freeways while the nation is sheltered in place during this COVID-19 pandemic. But when the man who started the Auburn Presbyterian Church in 1987 discusses climate change, he turns it up a notch. He even describes COVID-19 as a "fire drill" for climate change. "Time is running short, and the COVID disruptions are a sample of what's ahead unless we make changes," Winter said Monday. What type of changes? "Big changes." Wednesday is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and Winter has plans. He's inviting others to join him for an online sample of "Ten Steps to Personal Resilience and Empowerment in a Chaotic Climate." It begins at 5:30 p.m., and those who are interested can email kwinter@ssctv.net for the access codes. Winter said he and a couple of "co-conspirators" are forming the Placer Environmental Group Hub "simply to create a utility that allows these groups to know about each other, to be aware of what each other is doing, and hopefully, that will help avoid competition on dates. And it might inspire some cooperation so activities have more impact." It also would serve people who are starting to learn about climate change. A website is under development. Of what groups does Winter speak? Climate change groups in the greater Auburn area. He began to discover wildlife rescue groups, tree planting groups, Protect American River Canyons – "a little group here, a little group there," he said – and he wants to bring them together. "With my background of church development, I'm very aware of how important it is to build together, organize and meet that need," he said. "We can help these groups be more effective. The feedback I've gotten so far, even with COVID-19, has been fairly positive." Winter said the changes in how energy is used needs to be "amplified." He said his home was the first in his Auburn neighborhood to have solar panels. "Now I can point to about 15 houses with solar panels," he said. "One thing that's doing is changing economics so the cost of extracting, transporting and selling fossil fuels to create energy is more expensive than installing renewable energy sources. And major BlackRock investments are taking notice. Insurance companies are taking notice and are divesting from the support of fossil fuel industries."