Photo credit: ABC7
This week I watched the movie An Inconvenient Sequel. It was a grim reminder of the vast effects of climate change on our planet based on the comparisons and predictions of An Inconvenient Truth, released 10 years ago. Observing Al Gore knee deep in high-tide water on a highway in Florida, I remembered to check in with Kori, our CCGBC Communications Coordinator in Santa Barbara, “Everyone has been affected in some way,” she states in regards to the mudslide tragedies. We brainstormed about what actions could have been taken to avoid so much devastation. Solutions such as years of pro-active land terracing and deep-root-planting to more efficient and timely evacuations felt far beyond reach considering the current situation.
The bigger picture is that, this is the time we are living on this planet, it’s our time to do what is within our power. We know that Mother Nature is fairly furious with the generations of actions against her and that she is rightfully revolting now. The past year in California alone has been one of the most extreme weather and natural disaster years of all. Beginning with the burning of Big Sur, to the mudslides there, the massive snowfall in the mountains last winter, record highs and lows, the fires – oh dear, the fires! Now, post-fires, thousands suffer from more mudslides… it is clear that we are not currently equipped to handle such violent acts of nature, but we must educate ourselves the best we can, and adapt the best we can, to move forward the best we can.
Here at the CCGBC we have been sent resources, and have been doing our own research in regards to both natural disaster safety and regenerative building that we have compiled here for you to quickly access. Typically, our resources are for reserved for members, but this information should reach as many people as possible. As we take on another year full of climate change obstacles, we all need to be informed about how to prepare, repair, and take care of one another in the process.
While we cannot be ready for every disaster that strikes, if someone is in a position where they have lost their home to one of the recent natural disasters, they now have the opportunity to rebuild in ways that can protect them in the future while also building regeneratively, reducing their carbon footprint.
For example, while many wood-frame houses burned in the year’s fires, the strawbale homes fared well when they came face to face with the fire. You can read an article about the survival stories of several straw bale homes in the area to find out what gives them such a force field.
A group to pay attention to is the Ventura Food Co-Op who are have already had one large charity event to raise funds and support for the Thomas Fire Victims. They will be hosting more events with a focus around planning how people can rebuild regenerativly. Keep an eye out; we will also be sharing and contributing to the efforts in conjunction with the Co-Op.
Click HERE for resources that can help you be proactive, and guide you to your recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Here are also some upcoming events that anyone is welcome to attend to connect with the community :
January 18th : Community Lecture - "Impacts & Management after the Thomas Fire"
Thursday, January 18 at 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, California 93003
January 31st: Fire Ecology Presentation with George Wuerthner
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 6:00 pm
The Krotona Institute Auditorium
2 Krotona St, Ojai, CA 93023
February 17th : After the Fire: Making Our Landscapes More Resilient
Saturday, February 17 at 10 AM - 3 PM
Meet at AT&T Parking Lot
180 N Blanche St
Ojai, CA 93023
We hope that you find these resources useful and that you share them with others in your community. We will add to this page of resources for upcoming months, so feel free to send us anything helpful!
- Your CCGBC
Written by: Brianna Ruland \\ Edited by: Kori Nielsen
CCGBC Communications Coordinators \\ contact at: admin@ccgreenbuilding.org
