THEME FOR APRIL 2024: CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change represents one of the most significant challenges to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable. The reason we should care about climate change is multifaceted: it poses a direct threat to our survival by exacerbating natural disasters, affecting food and water security, and leading to health crises. Moreover, it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, widening existing social and economic inequalities. By addressing climate change, we not only work towards preserving our environment but also strive for social justice, ensuring a livable planet for future generations. Our actions today will determine the legacy we leave behind, making it imperative that we act with urgency and responsibility.

Charleston is experiencing significant climate impacts due to its geographical location and local environment. Here are some of the key issues:

Rising Sea Levels: Charleston has seen a sea level rise of 10 inches since 1950, and it’s projected to rise another 6 inches by 2030. This increase has led to a 75% rise in flooding since 2000, putting over 90,000 properties at risk.

Increased Flooding: The city is known for its vulnerability to flooding, especially during storms that bring more than an inch of rain. This is exacerbated by high tides, rising water tables, and sea levels.

Infrastructure at Risk: Nearly $150 billion worth of infrastructure along the South Carolina coast is threatened by the changing climate and rising seas.

High-Tide Flooding: Days of high-tide flooding are expected to increase in Charleston, and scientists are investigating the causes of land sinking in the region, although rising sea levels remain the primary concern.

These impacts underscore the importance of the city’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce carbon pollution and address both mitigation and adaptation components of climate change.

In the Lowcountry, we can contribute to mitigating climate change through a variety of actions:

Community Engagement: Collaborate with local conservation groups and participate in community resilience projects to enhance the region’s adaptive capacity.

https://www.lowcountrylandtrust.org/

https://lowcountryfarm.org/contact-us

https://www.sciway.net/org/environmental-coastal.html

https://www.sciway.net/org/environmental-coastal.html

Sustainable Practices: Adopt sustainable living practices, such as reducing waste, conserving water, and supporting local agriculture to minimize your carbon footprint.

Political Advocacy: Engage in political processes to support policies and initiatives that address climate change and its impacts on vulnerable communities.

https://citizensclimatelobby.org/chapters/SC_Charleston/

Education and Awareness: Educate yourself and others about the unique vulnerabilities of the Lowcountry to climate change and the importance of preserving its rich cultural heritage and ecosystem services.

https://www.sierraclub.org/south-carolina/robert-lunz

Nature-Based Solutions: Support and volunteer for projects that focus on nature-based solutions to mitigate flooding and other climate-related issues.

By taking these steps, individuals can play a crucial role in building a more resilient Lowcountry in the face of climate change.

Our Ten Commitment Focus for April is Environmentalism

Regardless of our individual identities, we all share the same home: planet Earth. Just as we depend on the planet to sustain us with its precious resources, this planet’s ecosystems depend on us to be good stewards and take responsibility for the impact human activity has on our shared planet. Disregard for the large-scale impacts humans have on our environment has caused extensive harm to earth’s ecosystems. Despite this, humanity is also capable of positive environmental change that values the interdependence of all life on this planet. Each of us must acknowledge our collective and individual mistakes, repair past damages, and purposefully work toward cultivating rich, diverse, and resilient ecosystems.