Keeping the Island clean, one beach at a time
People on Martha’s Vineyard are more conscious about the impact of human activity on the natural environment than ever before.
With the economy of the Vineyard’s coastal community relying so heavily on the health of...
Climate Solutions: Going solar when you can’t do it at home
Part of the vision of a 100 percent renewable energy Island includes large, community solar arrays around the Island.
What is community solar?
Most important, it is a way that you can get your electricity...
The Times welcomes Bluedot Living
The Martha’s Vineyard Times Company will launch Bluedot Living, a sustainable lifestyle magazine, in late May.
Bluedot, published in a partnership with Bluedot, LLC, an organization founded by Victoria Riskin of West Tisbury, will be...
Citizen scientists help monitor water quality
The Buzzards Bay Coalition recently published the first 28 years of its Baywatchers water monitoring program data in “Scientific Data,” a leading peer-reviewed nature research journal.
From 1992 to 2018, the Baywatchers program has collected...
Climate Solutions: Resilient at home
Imagine having enough energy storage at your house or in your neighborhood to be able to have some power and water during prolonged power outages.
Solar and batteries make that possible.
Solar info
Solar panels can...
Steamship Authority considers electric ferry future
The Steamship Authority (SSA) is conducting a feasibility study to examine the existing 10-boat fleet, and what it might take to start switching over to electric ferries in the future.
According to a 2018 report,...
Climate Solutions: Batteries make us resilient
Imagine a Vineyard where we are generating our power from renewable sources, and have enough energy storage to sustain critical loads during prolonged power outages.
Batteries play a big role in that vision, and they...
Climate Solutions: Becoming resilient
Prolonged power failures are a serious concern as climate change progresses and more extreme weather events occur. When the electric grid is down, having systems that give us a continued source of power, without...
Chilmark considers installing EV rapid chargers
Chilmark is looking to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the town center, which will be able to charge a vehicle fully in about 40 minutes.
During a Tuesday meeting of the board of...
Ocean acidification endangers local aquaculture
The rise in ocean acidification is disproportionately affecting marine economies and ecosystems in Massachusetts — particularly those of mollusks, which have a higher mortality rate based on the acidity of the water.
In order to...
Climate Solutions: Converting our Steamship fleet
Ferry fuel makes up 11 percent of our Island's transportation energy use; 1,290,723 gallons of diesel fuel were used in 2018. We need to transition to a cleaner way to travel. Scandinavia and Washington...
South Mountain: Green technologies becoming ‘commonplace’
The overarching focus of South Mountain Co.’s work for the past 30 years has been on bolstering environmental sustainability on-Island, while making sure their building projects are positive and uplifting experiences for all participants.
South...
Climate Solutions: Make way for EV trucks – they’re coming and they’re cool!
2021 will see the beginning of electric pickup trucks being introduced into the market.
Governor Baker has mandated that by 2035, all "light-duty vehicles" sold in Massachusetts will need to be zero emissions. This means...
Stormtide study will map Island inundation pathways
The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) is working with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) and the town of Oak Bluffs to identify stormtide pathways on-Island caused by sea level rise and storm surge.
The project...
MVC provides climate resilience update
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) climate resilience committee (CRC) provided an update to the community about its current initiatives during a Zoom presentation hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was led by...
Island companies lead the way in sustainable home energy
Locally owned design and engineering firms are offering sustainable alternatives for home energy, and are working to educate the Island community about the financial and environmental benefits of reducing their carbon footprint.
When Brian Nelson...
Climate Solutions: For your next car, buy or lease an EV!
The electric vehicle market is rapidly expanding as battery technology improves. The newer models have greater range, and there are more vehicle choices.
At the top of the line, Teslas get more than 300 miles...
The cleaning power of oysters
Oysters are a delicious shellfish that folks on Martha’s Vineyard are lucky enough to have grown fresh, practically in their backyard. But some are unaware of the benefits these bivalves can have on marine...
Climate Solutions: Juicing up our transportation!
Forty-five percent of our energy use is for transportation. That’s higher than other communities because of the fuel used for ferry service.
In 2018, 22,191 automobiles and light trucks were registered on the Vineyard at the...
Climate Solutions: Make the switch to heat pump water heating
We all use hot water. One of the easiest ways to decrease your fossil-fuel use is to switch to a hybrid electric water heater. It's an easy switch because you already have a water...