What do your neighbors think about the climate crisis? Our top 4 climate survey takeaways
What’s worrying Potomac River locals about the climate and how can we address those concerns?
Photo Courtesy of Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program via flickr
Earlier this year, we asked YOU (Potomac River region locals and Potomac Conservancy volunteers, members, and friends) what’s worrying you about our local environment and the growing climate crisis. Why??
Protecting the Potomac River and fighting the climate crisis is going to take collective action - that means all of us. And while you don’t have to be an expert to be an activist, we’ll all be better prepared to face this emergency if we communicate about our fears, stressors, and personal experiences.
So read on to learn the top 4 lessons we learned from the survey and how we’ll use that knowledge in the work ahead!
Lesson One: You’re worried!
96% of respondents said they are “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about our changing climate. (80% are “very concerned”). Yay!
Why are we celebrating an overwhelming amount of anxiety? Because, first of all, you’re correct to be concerned. The climate crisis is here and impacting our daily lives and well-being.
And, while it’s true that thinking about climate can cause a lot of grief, stress, and worry; those emotions are the first step towards taking action and solving this problem! So congratulations on acknowledging your fears (and being right.)
🌎 What’s next: Focusing on the local. While 80% of respondents are very concerned about climate change, only 45% are very concerned about the local effects of climate change in their communities. The hard truth is that climate change is already impacting the Potomac River and our local area, but not enough information is available about this connection. That’s why Potomac Conservancy is releasing a regional Climate Report this summer to help residents understand the connection between global climate trends and local consequences. Stay tuned for June!
Lesson Two: You’ve got the flooding blues.
Flooding in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Image courtesy of Geoff Livingston/Flickr.
When asked what specific concerns you have about the local effects of climate change in your community, flooding was the overwhelmingly popular response.
When asked what pressing questions you have about you have about the local impacts of climate change in the Potomac River region, questions like “Will there be flooding?”, “How much worse will flooding get?”, and “How can we deal with flooding?” came up again and again.
Once again, this means that you’re paying attention. Several climate-related mechanisms and our local geography have combined to make flooding a persistent and steadily increasing problem in our region. What’s more, floods are already disrupting our daily lives by damaging infrastructure, homes, businesses, and even the cherry trees on the National Mall. You’re right to be frustrated.
🌎 What’s next: Spreading the message. Flooding is a visible and vexing problem and it’s clear that anyone paying attention can see the connection to climate change. So let’s use the Old Flood Blues to show more residents of our region how climate crisis is taking a toll not just on “nature” but our roads, houses, and national treasures.
Lesson Three: We need to speak for the trees.
Forests buffer a stream in West Virginia. Image courtesy of Seth Cottle/UNSPLASH.
We asked about the top threats locals see to the Potomac River’s health and Polluted runoff and sprawling development were the most cited concerns. These are some of our top concerns too, especially since their detrimental effects to our river will be exacerbated by the climate crisis.
However, one major concern that we have did not come up often among the responses: deforestation. Trees and streamside vegetation help fight flooding, polluted runoff, and climate change. A critical step in taking action for the Potomac River and the climate is protecting and planting healthy forests.
So why aren’t we talking about it more? It seems that the conversation and news coverage of deforestation focuses on tropical rainforests and western wildfires, but not the threats to trees in our own backyard.
🌎 What’s next: Providing ways to take action for trees. Potomac Conservancy advocates and partners are continuing to make great strides against local deforestation, but we will increase our efforts to spread the message about the links between trees, climate, and clean water and centering forest protections in our fight for clean water.
Lesson Four: You want to help!
We asked you what pressing questions you have about the climate crisis and its impacts on our local environment and community. You certainly showed that you’re curious and interested in learning more, by asking a diverse set of questions like:
How is climate change effecting the wildlife in the Potomac?
Do we have local governing bodies that have the foresight to invest in equitable climate solutions?
What are the predicted impacts on local streams?
How will climate affect underserved and minority communities?
But mostly, you showed that you want to take action now. Your questions overwhelmingly requested information on:
How to improve environmental and climate education,
How to get local and state governments to take quick and effective actions,
How to help mitigate climate effects on frontline communities,
How to motivate your friends and neighbors to get involved,
How you could reduce your own impact on the climate, and, over and over again you asked…
“How can I help?”