MARKET GARDEN AT RISK
Saturday, May 5, 10:00 AM
Newbury, MA 01951

Joan and John Harwood, opened their home and gardens in Newbury MA to mark the Connect-the-Dots Climate Impact Day, sponsored by Bill McKibbens’ 350.org.  Following are the thoughts that Joan and John shared with us that day.

(Joan) It’s great to have you join us for this climate impact day called Connect the Dots, sponsored by Bill McKibben’s 350.org.

(John) We had never heard of author Bill McKibben and his climate crisis global organization until Jan. 22, when we found him on the cover of the Sunday Globe magazine with the headline: “Can This Man Save the Planet? On that day, our growing concern about weird weather was focused.

(Joan) We hope that this day of connecting the dots, which people are doing all over Massachusetts, all over the United States, all over the Americas and all over this planet will focus your concern about the growing amount of carbon in our atmosphere.

(John) That’s where 350.org gets its name, because three hundred and fifty parts per million is the maximum amount of carbon that climate scientists tell us that we can allow and still continue living on something like the Eaarth we human beings have known. For some 10,000 years, weather has always been unpredictable, but the climate has been stable.

(Joan) Today, that number is already 392 ppm and climbing. The upside is that the worldwide consciousness is growing just as rapidly about the link between climate change and human misbehavior. Your being here today is part of that movement!

(John) So why is our climate impact day called Garden at Risk? We have been growing as much of our own food as we can here for more than a decade, including vegetables, fruit and berries as well as flowers for our enjoyment of nature’s beauty.
Recently, we have expanded the beds so we can grow enough to share the harvest with others. Last year, we added a garden in Merrimac. However, climate change is making it more and more difficult.

(Joan) I wrote this when we scheduled this event: The weather is so uncertain. I covered my blackberry bushes because of the severe winter of 2010-11, and we had a mild winter in 2011-12. My bees didn’t survive the winter even though it was relatively warm and snow free. Now (March 22) my nut trees are blossoming weeks early and at risk if we get a frost.

(John) So that’s our story. In a few minutes, we will take a picture of all of us with our banner with its big green dot – a banner that Joan made first for the 99% Spring training on April 14 – and reused for today – what could be more appropriate!

(Joan) You will see there are five different 350.org brochures on the table, covering severe storms, wildfires, drought and heatwaves, snow and cold, and sea-level rise; help yourself to one. And do take a 350 sticker to place where your friends and neighbors can see it; they are great starters for a conversation about climate change. Please leave us your contact information and check the box if you want to join a 350 Newburyport area group we’re forming. More information about climate change is available at http://www.350.org; the web address is on the brochures and stickers.

(John) And enjoy the refreshments in the shape of dots cooked just for today by Rosie’s Garden Bakery!

.