Community Response to Climate Change

Treesponsibility

Workshop Leader: Tomas Remiarz

Overview

A look at causes and effects of climate change globally and locally. Possible responses to the climate challenge, on a personal community and wider scale. A bioregional climate action & reforestation group will be an example.

Tomas Remiarz (the facilitator of the workshop) is project manager for Treesponsibility Calderdale since 2000. They have planted 35 thousand trees with volunteers, set up community-based tree nursery and carried out landscape history research and moorland restoration. They have all contributed to their regions climate strategy by putting forward their proposals.

Workshop Summary

First we considered the causes of climate change. On the individual level these causes include consumer habits, commuting and increasing energy consumption. On the community we have the global transportation of goods and people (particularly by plane), unsustainable farming methods and deforestation. Then there are ecological and physical causes such as forest fires, loss of wetland habitat, global warming and rising CO2 levels. We noted that most of the ecological and physical causes can be traced back to community level causes and in turn back to individual actions.

Looking at the effects of climate change, these generally flow in the opposite direction. On the physical level we have effects such as extreme weather conditions and rising sea level. On the ecological level there is loss of habitat, flora and fauna. The community level includes effects such as loss of income from tourism, destruction of housing and farm land, increased migration, conflict and war. Then on the individual level there is an increase in disease, allergies, skin cancer, stress, insecrity, paranoia and fear.

We noted that, since the causes of start at the individual and community level, we should look for solutions at that level. Suggestions included reducing our own personal energy consumption, changing the way that we produce energy as a society, changing modes of travel and tree planting.

Tomas then outlined the approach of Treesponsibility. The group’s vision is to make the Calderdale Valley carbon neutral. They work with volunteers to plant trees (having parties to make it more fun). In a weekend event they can plant 1500 trees. The group doesn’t own any land but advertise to find local farmers and land owners who are interested. The group feel that education is a key issue so they also organise workshops in local schools. They have started a new service called “Carbon Positive”, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of businesses by helping them to reduce their energy consumption and at the same time planting trees to soak up the CO2 they produce. Their biggest success has been to stop a open cast mine in the area.

Key points

Many causes of climate change can be traced back to the individual and community level, so solutions to climate change should start with the individual and community.
Individuals and communities can take positive action to avert climate change. They do not need to wait for governments to act.

[Scribe: William Mortada]