The world is getting hotter. Sea levels keep rising. President Trump has removed the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Here in Westport, we’re conflicted. We are conscientious about composting — in the back yards of super-sized homes. We park electric vehicles in our 3- and 4-car garages. We fill reusable water bottles — and water our lawns religiously.
Through it all, Sustainable Westport nudges the needle ever closer to the town’s goal — codified by the Representative Town Meeting in 2017 — to be Net Zero by 2050.
How are they/we doing?
The other day, Sustainable Westport — the town’s non-profit organization, focusing on reducing waste, conserving water, promoting biodiversity and more — looked back on 2025.
And ahead to both 2026, and 2050 — now just a quarter century away.
Among the achievements this year:
“Your Yard, Our Climate” launched. Ten partners sponsored 13 events, focused on supporting biodiversity in yards. Among them: a “Magic of Meadows” webinar (click here or below).
“HeatSmart Westport” mobilized over 200 residents to take the first step toward more efficient, sustainable homes. Free Home Energy Solutions assessments continue through Mach. Click here to sign up.
“Restaurant Champions” celebrate the sustainability efforts of local food businesses. Restaurants will be recognized for success in 4 categories: complying with Westport’s single-use plastic ordinance; sourcing ingredients sustainably; engaging in responsible waste management, and prioritizing energy efficiency.
Sustainable Westport held 24 events in 2025 — that’s one every 2 weeks. For example:
Over 200 residents heard nationally recognized eco-gardener Joe Lamp’l speak at the Westport Library. Click here for the recap (with action steps).
Joe Lamp’l at the Westport Library.
A film screening of “Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics” initiated a discussion on how to reduce plastic use.
Over 100 Westporters listened to the 3 first selectman candidates perspectives on top climate concerns. All spoke strongly in favor of ongoing initiatives. Click here for details.
Collection drives gave new life to these goods — and kept them out of the waste stream:
- Over 150 sports gear items
- 71 mattresses and box springs
- 750 pounds of Lego bricks
- 120 medical equipment items.
This holiday season, Sustainable Westport suggests “small but meaningful shifts in the way we give,” to show “deeper care for our friends, families and planet.”
They include:
- Giving tickets for experiences, rather than consumer products.
- Choosing “slow shipping,” instead of overnight.
- Contributing locally to a worthy cause, in someone’s name.
- Skipping the wrapping paper.
Waste we seldom think about.
What’s ahead for the new year?
More programs and events; the announcement of the first group of Restaurant Champions; more households exploring energy-efficient solutions, and “new ambitious goals, to bring actionable solutions to Westport.”
(As a non-profit, Sustainable Westport relies on donations from residents. Click here to contribute, and for more information.)
How about golf courses, all golf courses, cutting back on watering(they water when it’s raining) and settling for grass that’s tan some the time.
Skip the Christmas wrapping paper⁉️😜🤣
What about
No more killing Christmas trees? Ban them next year.
Cease the production of all books made from trees?
Let’s go Westport ‼️Where’s Greta ⁉️
Trying to clean up our Town and the planet is a great idea but why go over the top into stupidity? Woke feel good. You hurt your message when you support silly suggestions.
While I whole heartedly support the mission and work of Sustainable Westport as a champion of human and ecological flourishing, I want to point out that Westport is “conflicted” as you say due to the complexity of the issues we’re facing. I’d like to share the work of Nate Hagens and his take on the dangers of focusing on Net Zero targets. Nate is highly educated and well-versed in what we’re facing, as well as how we can prepare for what he calls, the Great Simplification: https://mattersjournal.com/stories/nate-hagens-on-the-dangers-of-our-net-zero-obsession. Nate has a popular podcast that I highly recommend to all.
Read it and tried unsuccessfully to understand what he was getting at but he’s so smart he’s confusing.
I’m curious as to whether they mentioned the Town’s destruction of the Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve on their “scorecard?” Would that alone not give Westport a failing grade on this issue of sustainability?
I’m looking forward to the day the Westport Community Gardens appears as a ‘Friday Flashback’….30 + years from now.
Sustainable Westport was awfully quiet on Community Garden…