The fight against climate change can be most effectively waged at the community level. That's where the creative solutions and unique ideas are forged. It's through that initial interaction of closely-tied individuals that will produce results. These can then be tempered by the state and federal governments in the form of policy and so forth. Amendments to transportation, food access/distribution and overall material consumption are best negotiated by those who live and breathe in those unique locales. There are strengths and weaknesses in each of these communities that must be taken into consideration and exploited for the best possible ends. Not only that, but a certain emotional stake is necessary in the proceedings at hand, lest we collectively fall into the overwhelmed apathy of the issue's vastness. When the movement truly has that community heart, then we can have faith in its progress and endurance.
Here are a few examples of creative community projects I've come across:
- Harvesting fruit locally from untended and overhanging trees, and then distributing it to the underprivileged.
- Ripping up pavement in vacant spaces to make space for greenery (and also absorbing run-off).
- Creating distinctive bike lanes/paths or designating pedestrian-only zones.
- Community garden plots. Especially geared towards the underprivileged and those residing in 'food deserts'.
- Farmer's markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
- Hands-on agricultural education for children.
- Urban farming operations.
- Good old fashioned rallies and protests (a la 70's)
- Meeting local farmers personally or through social media.
- Directly connecting chefs with farmers.
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