Fossil Fuel is the Enemy

Dear Friends,

Today I'd like to talk about climate change. Yes, I know it's not a popular subject, and one that many people don't believe in. But if you don't believe it, go outside and sit in the heat for a while. And here's a fact to ponder, from an article in Grist by Bill McKibben:

"According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the planet has just come through the warmest decade, the warmest 12 months, the warmest six months, and the warmest April, May, and June on record."

We've gone past the time when we can ignore this problem; it's not going away unless we act fast, and act now. What are you going to do about it?

What it boils down to is this....there's too much carbon in the air, and it's caused by burning fossil fuels. You know, like all that oil BP is allowing to pollute the Gulf. Like all that oil that goes into making gasoline for our cars that we drive too much. Like all that oil that goes for making plastics, and garden fertilizers, and new cars, and toys for children (gasp!). Oil touches every aspect of our lives.

According to the article, fossil fuel is wrecking the one earth we've got. And we're wrecking the earth because of our use of fossil fuels...seriously wrecking the earth.

What can you, as a gardener, do about it? Here's several easy things...Don't drive so much this week. Don't buy chemicals for your garden packaged in plastic bottles. Start a compost pile instead.

We can reverse this warming trend, if everybody pitches in together. You don't have to be a rocket scientist, or climate change expert. Really. We CAN do this.

Happy trails from Texas where it IS hotter than hell,

bobbi c.

The earth is shrinking, and here's proof....

An article on a subject that's ignored by the national media...the rising numbers of environmental refugees who leave their homes because of food shortages, global warming and/or climate change, population issues, etc. by Lester R. Brown, Earth Policy Institute.

On the Permaculture site...

Also, there's a free PDF download of the entire copy of Mr. Brown's book, Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization.

bobbi c.

Climate change is real, folks

Dear friends,

I'm still amazed at the numbers of intelligent people I talk to who do not believe that our climate is changing. Any gardener can see with their own eyes that things are not the same as they were even ten years ago.

Take a look at this map from the Arbor Day Foundation. It shows the changes that happened from just 1990 through 2006. Make sure you click the button to show the map changing.

Amazing, isn't it?

dig it!

bobbi c.

Freezing on Easter

Posted April 9, 2007 by bobbi a. chukran.

Mornin’ earthly gardeners,

I have to tell ya, I’m not in the mood for talking about fresh tomatoes right now….it’s been freezing here! We had a freakish late freeze on Saturday night, and at the last minute we were scurrying around covering plants, hauling the EarthBox into the garage, turning off the water in the garden hoses, checking the pump house, etc. etc. It was supposed to get up to the 50’s yesterday, but it didn’t. We got some sleet Saturday morning, and friends just north of us got up to three inches of snow. People who don’t believe that our climate is changing need to get a clue…..80-degrees in December and freezing on Easter eve….NOT normal. I’m worried about the hummingbirds since I haven’t seen any out today.

To cheer us up a bit, I dug around in the files and found a photo of one of my antique roses blooming in April of last year. Several people have expressed an interest in growing heirlooms, but wanted roses that they could cut. This particular one grows on a long sturdy stem, and makes a wonderful cut flower.



My other bushes are blooming now, too, and have been for about a month. I hope this one short freeze doesn’t do them in!

Keep warm, and dig it!

bobbi c.
Copyright©2007 bobbi a. chukran. all rights to photos and text reserved.