Earth Matters / Gila River Festival – Local Climate Adaptation

In this week’s edition of Earth Matters we will listen in on a panel discussion presented at the Gila River Festival on the topic of Local Climate Adaptation Goals and Action.

There’s no denying that climate change is the challenge of our times. But it’s not all gloom and doom. There are actions we can take as a community to mitigate the expected changes.

Sociology professor Emma Bailey will set the discussion context with her information on how the “water commons” affects all citizens.

Alicia Edwards of The Volunteer Center will talk about The Commons Center for Food Security and Sustainability, her organization’s program to help the community meet its food needs.

From megafires to dry streambeds to invasive plants, climate chaos is already changing the character of Southwestern forests. Gila National Forest Supervisor Kelly Russell will relate how her agency is preparing for the uncertainties of climate change on the forest.

Silver City’s Office of Sustainability recently released its Silver City Sustainability Plan 2030 for public review. Director Nick Sussillo will talk about the plan’s theme of “Protect, Conserve, Prepare” and project and program highlights, including public safety, wildfire protection, water conservation and energy.

Visit these links for additional information on the panelists and issues…

• Gila Conservation Coalition
  Includes additional background info and biographical material on the panelists
• 350.org
  A global movement to solve the climate crisis
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  The leading international body addressing the issue
• NASA
  National Aeronautics & Space Administration / Climate Division

Earth Matters airs Tuesday & Thursday at 10am and 8pm
Or listen to Gila River Fest – Local Climate Adaptation any time after the first airing of the program via this link…130417
Earth Matters / Gila River Festival – Local Climate Adaptation

Our apologies for noise in some parts of the program where speakers were not close enough to the microphone.