Blog Action Day: Climate Change

October 15th 2009 is the third Blog Action Day – a global, online event aimed at raising awareness of a particular pressing issue. The first event, in 2007, was on the environment; last year’s topic was poverty.

This year we’re looking at the environment again, but this time a specific environmental issue – Climate Change. In some ways, climate change is a simple issue. The world’s scientists agree (although there are still some dissenters) that our use of fossil fuels is sending so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that we are rapidly changing our climate. The planet as a whole is getting slightly warmer, but the effects that will have are very dependent on where in the world you are. Sea levels will rise, inundating low-lying areas. Extreme events such as prolonged droughts and floods will increase.

Here in the UK the impacts of climate change are still unpredictable. We have noticed changes over recent years – earlier springs, drier winters and wetter summers. If the UK gets warmer then the natural habitats of native plants and wildlife will move northwards; less mobile species will struggle to cope with the changes. Rainfall patterns will change and the seasonal trends that have been familiar for centuries will disappear.

Gardeners are uniquely placed to see these changes as they occur, as the growth habits of plants change, growing seasons become more challenging and new pests and diseases become problematic. We’re also uniquely placed to help combat climate change and to learn how to cope in our new environment.

The UK government has recently published a strategy to protect and conserve our topsoil – apparently we’re currently losing 2 million tonnes each year to erosion. We’re also building on it, polluting it and depleting it. The soil can be a powerful carbon sink, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and holding it, but only if it is in good condition.

Of course, there are already many people across the country who recognise the importance of healthy soil – they’re called organic farmers and gardeners. The whole point of organic farming and gardening is to look after the soil so that it looks after the plants. Adding organic matter to the soil, minimizing soil disturbance and promoting a healthy soil ecosystem (by avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides) leads to healthy soils, healthy crops, healthy people and a healthy planet.

For more information on supporting organic farming, check out the Soil Association; Garden Organic are the UK’s organic gardening charity and there is a lot of information on their website.

But, perhaps unsurprisingly, it is individuals and bloggers who are leading the way on these issues – trying things, sharing a wealth of information freely and looking for new solutions. If you have an ornamental garden that you want to future-proof then ave a read of My Global Garden. If you’re wondering which edible plants will grow well in the brave new world that’s coming then check out Otter Farm.

And if you want to connect with real people, doing practical things, then check out the Agroforestry Research Trust, Permaculture Magazine and Transition Culture.

Of course, you could always read my book, too! The Alternative Kitchen Garden: An A to Z is all about climate-friendly gardening, permaculture and unusual crops that may thrive here in the future.

Posted 15 October 2009, 07:00.   Posted in .

1 Comments for Blog Action Day: Climate Change

  1. Great post, I agree about farmers being able to see the changes first hand.

    Please read my post for Blog Action Day – http://blog.myunv.com/2009/10/15/climate-change-lets-make-a-difference/

    Sunny Singh · Oct 15, 11:22 AM

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