We are all experiencing the impacts of climate change more each day, in our own communities and around the world.
Recent data from the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication shows that 72% of Americans understand that climate change is real, human-caused, and happening now. Yet, only 36% discuss it even occasionally with family or friends, leading to a lack of public discourse and civic engagement to address one of the most critical issues of our time. Increased public discourse is a critical precursor for action.
And, discussing climate change with family and friends is the best predictor of climate change’s absolute and relative importance as a voting issue.
These conversations are not happening in part because many people don’t feel hopeful about our ability to address climate change, and don’t see how they can be part of the solution.
That is why it is so important for us to help people reconnect to and learn from nature’s efficient and sustainable systems, to develop a problem-solving mindset, and share a positive vision for the future.
The Hitchcock Center has been exploring how to use its Living Building and outdoor learning spaces as inspiration for what a sustainable and resilient future for the Valley could look like, and as a space to facilitate conversation and action on a community level.
In order to successfully, and most importantly, equitably, achieve the goals of the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap (www.mass.gov/info-details/ma-decarbonization-roadmap) it is not enough to have policies in place. We need leaders, citizens, and residents to recognize their shared values, and have the knowledge and skills to successfully engage together in building a greener, just, and more economically vibrant future.
How can we join together to create a sustainable and resilient vision for the future of the Connecticut River Valley, from Greenfield to Springfield? Through our programs, the Hitchcock Center is putting the principles of sustainable, ecological design used to design our Living Building (energy, water, materials, beauty, health and happiness, place, and equity) into action and educating hopeful, creative problem-solvers. We provide education, communication, and community engagement that can lead the way on the path to net zero by 2050 with the intention for all people, communities and ecosystems to thrive.
Two years ago, the Hitchcock Center launched the Climate Action Series, an experiment to engage adults in the broader Amherst community in conversation about climate change and sustainability. Our goal is to build our collective community capacity for civic engagement, civil dialogue, and deliberation.
And, we hope to help develop a positive and practical vision for the region to respond to climate change in ways that promote thriving and healthy natural and human systems.
We have been offering programs on actions we can take at different scales, such as making personal choices about solar or electric cars, energy or water conservation in and at their own homes or apartments, including choices that renters can make.
We have focused on learning about nature’s efficient cycles and ways humans can make more sustainable and climate informed choices as consumers for our household products, lawns and gardens, and waste. We have endeavored to make our programs accessible by offering them for free, low cost or by donation.
In addition to providing evening programs based at the Hitchcock Center (in person, virtual and hybrid), we also partnered with Amherst Cinema for a screening and discussion of the film “Common Ground,” about the importance of regenerative agriculture in addressing climate change.
Over the past three seasons of the Climate Action Series we have seen increased attendance, repeat engagement, and recognition in the community. We have noticed that talking about a variety of scales of action has been well received, providing something for those who want to focus on their personal climate impacts (e.g., choosing an electric car, air source heat pumps, or rain barrels at home), to impacts at a municipal and regional level, and up to understanding courses of action at the state and global level.
We also offered programs on considering and processing the impact of climate change on our personal well being and psychological health, such as the Climate Cafe and the All We Can Save book circle. A “How to Talk about Climate Change” program was particularly useful as a different perspective on climate action and an everyday impact we all can have.
Community members convene at the Hitchcock Center for a fireside chat on issues of climate and sustainability. CONTRIBUTED
Based on what we have learned so far, we are planning to focus next on electrification and solar placement; land use and conservation of green space and carbon biosequestration; and regional agricultural impacts and choices.
We will continue to offer a variety of methods and ways to engage including discussion, workshops, book groups, and climate cafes. And, we will keep trying to increase the appetite for more deliberative dialogue.
We can all contribute toward this collective effort to change the conversation on climate change to be more productive, inclusive, and solutions-focused.
In the words of Katherine Hayhoe in her book “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World:” “Use your voice to talk about why climate change matters to you, here and now. Use it to share what you are doing, what others are doing, what they can do. Use it to advocate for change at every level. Use it to vote and to inform decisions your school, your business, your city, and your country can make. Talk about it in every community that you are part of and whose values and interests you share.”
Billy Spitzer (he/him) is the executive director of the Hitchcock Center for the Environment.
Earth Matters has been a project of the Hitchcock Center for the Environment for 15 years. HCE’s mission is to educate and to inspire action for a healthy planet. Our Living Building and trails are open to all at 845 West St. in Amherst. To learn more, visit hitchcockcenter.org.
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Hitchcock Center for the Environment
at Hampshire College
845 West Street | Amherst MA 01002 | 413.256.6006 | 413.253.2809 fax