New Haven Independent

About 30 people gathered on the back deck at the home of Lori Martin and Bill Mooney in Fair Haven Heights on Saturday evening to enjoy some fabulous food (like the pie in progress pictured above), listen to the Democratic presidential candidates answer questions about climate change, and then watch part of the Live Earth concert.

The concerts, held on every continent, were inspired by Al Gore’s efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of climate change. Organizers urged those attending or watching on TV or on-line to pledge to take seven actions, including demanding an international treaty to cut global warming pollution and taking personal steps to cut one’s own carbon emissions. Click here to read more about that.

Sixteen-year-old Ben Martin Mooney (pictured, making pizzas on the grill) helped host the party with his parents at their Fair Haven Heights home. He said he’s concerned that greenhouse gases are going to make life as we know it unsustainable and that he finds adults’ actions — or inaction — “infuriating.” Click here to listen.

The party was one of thousands held around the country organized through MoveOn.org in collaboration with the Live Earth concerts, held on seven continents.

Each candidate answered a different question posed by MoveOn members from around the country via the Internet. (Pictured are three guests, listening intently.) There were questions about carbon taxes and carbon auctions, and each candidate got to explain briefly why he or she has the best prescription for avoiding calamity. Click here to listen to each candidate answer more questions.

Bill Mooney, who co-hosted the New Haven party with his wife and kids, said to change things, you have to be pro-active. “I think it’s important to have people get together like this and discuss politics, and it makes a difference in the overall organization to have a voice in government. And also, it’s an example for our children - I want them to be part of it.”

Lori Martin (pictured) welcomed the crowd to her home. After the party, she wrote in an email message, “One of the reasons I want to host these events is because I want a democracy. I also want my children to see that a democracy is participatory. It is dynamic. It represents the people. In order for that to happen, the ‘people’ need to contribute and be involved.”

One way Ben and his friends are going to be involved is by offering to switch out neighbors’ inefficient light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones (like these pictured in his living room), which save energy and save utility customers money in the long run. Their youth group got a grant to buy the bulbs and offer them free to residents.