Launching A Neighborhood Climate Club 2024.01.24

Earth's climate is changing and threatening so much that we hold dear, including a livable planet for our children. How do we take meaningful action? On Allison Street in Ashland, a handful of neighbors met over dinner in the spring of 2019 to explore that question. Could we make an impact but also have fun? Could our group sustain momentum over time? We've been meeting monthly ever since, with a short pandemic break, teaching each other about food waste, water conservation, home electrification, and much more. Last year Jim Hartman began collaborating with us, adding two more small neighborhood climate clubs and developing a robust pilot "curriculum" on climate change. We'd like to share how we came together, how we stayed together, and our plans for the future.
Bios:
Sonya Daw is a science writer-editor for the National Park Service with a background in wildlife biology and English. She is passionate about sustainable living, music, birds, and science communication.
Melody Noraas is a retired science and special education teacher. She served on the Parks and Recreation Commission in Ashland. Her passions are water and nature’s stewardship.
Jim Hartman is a local climate activist who retired in 2020 from teaching high-school science for 30 years, including annual units on climate change. His latest passion is developing the Neighborhood Climate Action Network.
This is a recording of a community education class offered by the FNR Land Steward Program of Oregon State University’s Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center. Find more upcoming topics at extension.oreg...