Talking about Climate Change in South Africa — Taking Action at Home

Janna Six : Tuesday November 29, 3:04PM

During the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Durban South Africa over the next two weeks, experts will describe how dramatic climatic changes are putting the world’s most vulnerable people at risk. Extreme weather events linked to global warming is already causing food insecurity.

• Unprecedented flood waters besieged Thailand and its capital city of Bangkok this November. More mega-floods for Bangkok are predicted.

• Sudan’s drought is partly responsible for tribal wars there, and that drought and famine have driven people from their homes in Somalia. (South Africa, President Jacob Zuma )

The negotiations at this Summit – and its associated meetings such as the “World Climate Summit” for business leaders and philanthropists — may move the world forward in setting up a green climate fund, establishing a hub for leveraging and deploying climate monitoring, management and adaptation solutions, and providing assurances for clean energy investments.

Fortunately, you don’t have to participate in the meetings half a world away.  All you have to worry about today is how to mitigate climate change impacts to your own livelihood, in your own backyard.

Temperatures have increased about 2°F over the past 30 years in Colorado. Already documented are changes in hardiness zones for plant growth and the shift in spring runoff of from melting snow occurring two weeks earlier. The temperature change also means rain rather than snow in lower elevations (reducing natural water storage), more stress for forests making them less resistant to wildfires and pests (e.g. pine beetle).

Taking steps today to reduce energy and water consumption will go a LONG way in reducing your costs while reducing climate change gases.  I recommend these sources for suggestions:

Smart Energy Living Alliance

Water Use It Wisely

On December 8, 2011, join community leaders for the 2nd annual conference of the Colorado Climate Network.

The topic – Communicating the case for local climate action – A how-to conference for local officials, staff, and others.

“Climate change is a defining issue of our time. Yet local climate, sustainability, energy, and preparedness program leaders often encounter challenges in communicating the need for local climate action in ways that lead to support for programs to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases and to prepare for an altered climate. This one-day conference is focused entirely on climate communications, to equip attendees with information and techniques to help them more effectively communicate with local officials, business people, and residents.”

Author Bio:

Janna Six is the Special Projects Director for the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado. Currently she oversees collaborative efforts to increase literacy about sustainability in the education sector. By creating, maintaining and leveraging relationships with community leaders and partner organizations, Janna is helping to build a network supporting the next generation of leaders who will improve community well-being, protect natural resources, and maintain healthy economies over the next century. Janna has been involved with education about sustainability issues in Colorado for over 20 years. Prior to co-founding the Alliance in 2004, Janna was a consultant to a number of organizations. Janna received a Colorado Energy Champion Award from the Colorado Office of Energy Management and Conservation for green building educational materials and has served on the Governor Romer’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board.

Comments are closed.