Living on the Earth Like We Want to Stay

I’m not going to lie. As I dragged the Christmas tree to the curb and pulled my garbage and recycling bins in this morning, wearing only a light fleece, I briefly – and somewhat guiltily- thought, “You know, I could get used to this whole climate change thing…”  I mean, it would save me from contemplating a move south every winter, to someplace like Louisville, Kentucky or Paducah where last month’s temperatures, 7.5 degrees above Chicago’s norms, would be typical. 

With January already trending some 11 degrees above normal, I almost feel like I’m spending this “winter” in New Orleans-but without the awesome food.

But then I reflected back to a conversation I had last night at Green Drinks with Doug Close, the founder of McHenry County Transition. We had just heard the news that a “smoking gun," for may have been identified and Doug wondered out loud about the effects this oddly mild winter would have on other not-so-friendly insects, like mosquitoes. 

“I’m no entomologist,” said Doug, “but I’ve got to believe that if we don’t have some sustained hard freezes, come spring the bugs are going to be out in droves.”  He also observed that his “fallow” garden has been “kind of crazy.  I let some of my late-season plantings, including lettuce, carrots and radishes, just go.  I wanted to see what would happen, right?  And I still have green lettuce, carrots and radishes. And I don’t have cold frames.”

These kind of conversations are popping up all over – from the grocery store, the library, over holiday dinners. Some are lamenting the lack of snow, others – like my husband- are relishing the lack of shoveling.

My in-laws live in Paraguay, where they are experiencing record heat. Again. 

Unlike the US, all countries in South America have ratified the Kyoto Treaty. Not coincidentally, most people “down there,” including the indigenous tribes  are growing increasingly fearful about climate change and ecological destruction of our irreplaceable resources.

As a result, many of us are, again, asking “but what can I do?”  We’ve changed our light bulbs, we recycle – including our , we drive less or take the train, we have low-flush toilets, our showerheads barely trickle, were turning off the water when we brush our teeth, we bought some produce at the farmer’s market. 

Now what?

These actions are great, but they’re simply not enough. Change has to go deeper and be more systemic. It has to involve our commitment to building resilience and sustainability at the personal, local, corporate and national levels. It means taking ourselves, our local governments, our companies and our representatives to task.  It means getting comfortable with messy, profound adaptations.

That’s the tough news. 

The great news is that McHenry County has a large, and growing, number of people and organizations already doing the dirty work of cleaning up our community and the planet at large. 

Awareness leads to action. 

This short list of upcoming events and programs can introduce you to the people and programs on the front lines of building resilience and sustainability right here, and provide you an opportunity for spending an enjoyable night out away from the TV.  They’re our chance to truly think globally, act locally, and be the change:

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 9: Prairieview Education Center.  “Permaculture 101”, sponsored by the McHenry County Conservation District and presented by Midwest Permaculture.  Learn how to make changes to your own yard, garden, and home that save water, soil and energy while producing amazing results. Your yard will be the envy of the neighborhood, I mean the model for the neighborhood. Sign up ASAP (ideally today) so they can get a good idea of how many folks to expect.

7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20: Woodstock High School, “YERT – Your Environmental Road Trip,” movie screening  Sponsored by McHenry County Defenders, Woodstock High School Green Club and McHenry County Transition.  This fun, crazy documentary of three friends (and their garbage) on a one year road trip to all 50 states, exploring the manifestations of the eco-movement across the country.

7 to 8:30 p.m.,Thursday, Jan. 26: McHenry County College (MCC) Conference Center, “Fungi Discovered: What We Know & How Important They Are,” Sponsored by MCC, McHenry County Conservation District, Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute. Featuring Dr. Patrick Leacock and Paul Stamets who will explore the diversity of fungi in McHenry County and their roles in sustainability and improved health.

McHenry County College (MCC) – Beekeeping 101 and Field Study, and Beehive Construction. (February – April 2012)  Admit it, you look good in white. Learn to keep your own bees, harvest your own honey, and help pollinate your own plants.  Three great courses, one great time. Contact Dori Smith, Director of Continuing Ed at MCC at 815-455-8559 for more information.

MCC – “Exploring Local Food” class series (February – March 2012) Workshops for Home, School and Business.  Explores diverse topics ranging from preserving your harvest to school food, choosing local foods, creating edible landscapes and more. Contact Dori Smith, Director of Continuing Ed at MCC at 815-455-8559 for more information.

Title credits to Mike Nickerson and his most excellent book Life, Money and Illusion: Living on the Earth Like We Want to Stay