Climate Conversations
Sponsored in part by:
Throughout September 2024, Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) explored climate-related topics through walks and talks including art, literature, and science programs culminating in a Rising Waters Fish Flags temporary public art installation created by community members on Hyannis Harbor. Working with a network of community partners, month-long highlights include story walks and upcycled crafts at various libraries, a watch party and discussion of the 2012 animated film based on Dr. Seuss’ book The Lorax, a beach clean-up, a climate change trail hike by Resilient Woods Hole, an author talk about climate conversations, and more. The month’s events culminated with a community-led art installation of Climate Creatives/Rising Waters “fish flags” that created a visual display of rising sea levels. Hands-on activities included a temporary onsite marine debris art sculpture led by Hyannis businesswoman and artist, Sarah Thornington of Ebb the Tide and an art/science walk by The daVinci Pursuit focused on water, climate change, and fish through a creative lens. A schedule of specific climate conversation programs can be found below.
Context
According to the Yale Center for Climate Communications, 76% of people in the US believe global warming is happening, and Americans’ concerns about global warming is at an all-time high. A 2023 NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found nearly 60% of those ages 18 to 29 believe climate change should be a priority, even at the risk of slowing economic growth. A larger group (64%) believe climate change is a major threat, and 72% responded that climate change is affecting their local community. Yet, 64% of Americans rarely or never talk about it. BLT’s Climate Conversations month builds on author Dr. Katherine Hayhoe’s book Saving Us message: “There is one thing that everyone can do, and we’re not doing it…. Talk about it. If you don’t talk, why would you care? And if you don’t care, why would you do anything about it?” The goal of this initiative is to get people of all ages and backgrounds to start talking by joining a program, attending an event, or checking out some of the resources that we have compiled below.
Marine Debris Art Sculpture by Sarah Thornington of Ebb the Tide
Fish Flags Community Art Installation
Rising Waters is a participatory art project by Susan Israel (Climate Creatives based in Brookline, Massachusetts) that marks future flood levels due to sea level rise and storms from climate change. The installations translate complex data into simple visuals that people can immediately understand and relate to viscerally, helping them visualize what is at risk. Susan began Rising Waters in 2013 to educate people about climate impacts and empower them to act. Partnering with organizations, schools, and communities, Rising Waters has been installed over 40 times in the US, Panama, and Hong Kong, including in 16 Broward County Schools. Photographic exhibitions have been shown at the World Trade Organization, United Nations, BioMuseo in Panama, and EarthDay Texas.
The Climate Creatives team determined local flood levels, and provided the materials to assemble 300 fish flags and install them. On the day of the installation, everyone was introduced to the project and local flood issues. The groups gathered around tables where they cut beautifully printed fish from large sheets and attached them to the corresponding marking flag. The guided conversation continued, focusing on actions people can take to mitigate or prepare for climate change. Each person wrote a climate commitment (action) on their flag. When completed, the flags were planted in the ground in lines showing where future water levels will be.
BLT’s Rising Waters Fish Flags project can be viewed at the following Cape Cod events:
Sunday, September 29, 2024: Artist Shanties at the Harbor Overlook in Hyannis.
Thursday, October 24, 2024: Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative’s Net Zero 2024 Conference. Click here for more information.
Thursday, November 21, 2024: CARE for the Cape and Islands Take Care Summit. Click here for more information.
Climate Conversations Programs & Events
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BLT’s Rising Waters Fish Flag Temporary Installation at Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative’s Net Zero 2024 Conference
Thursday, October 24, 2024
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BLT's Rising Waters Fish Flag Temporary Installation at CARE for the Cape and Islands' Take Care Summit
Thursday, November 21, 2024
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StoryWalk: Forest by Brendan Kearney
Sunday, September 1 - 30, 2024
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Acorn Club Storytime
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | 10:30 AM
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Native American Nature Poetry Trail Walk
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | 3 PM
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Stand Up! Speak Up! Storytime
Saturday, September 7, 2024 | 10 AM
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Climate Change Trail Walk with Resilient Woods Hole
Sunday, September 8, 2024 | 12 PM
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Sandy Neck Beach Fall Migration Walk
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | 10 AM
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Partner Program: Growing Solar, Protecting Nature with Mass Audubon
Thursday, September 12, 2024 | 6 PM
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The Lorax Movie Watch Party
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 10 AM
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2024 Coast Sweep at Sandy Neck Beach
Sunday, September 15, 2024 | 9 AM
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Finding Middle Ground: Conservations Across America About Climate Change
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 | 5:30 PM
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The Lorax Movie and Climate Craft
Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 12 PM
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"Wall-E" Movie Watch Party
Thursday, September 26, 2023 | 4 PM
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Nature Journals with Recycled Materials Crafting Workshop
Friday, September 27, 2024 | 11 AM
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Climate Resiliency: A Bog Restoration Walk
Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 10 AM
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Rising Waters Fish Flags Art Installation
Sunday, September 29, 2024 | 11 AM
Partners and Collaborators
Town of Barnstable (Arts|Barnstable and Natural Resources/Sandy Neck), Climate Creatives (Boston), Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woods Hole), Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative, Cape Cod Maritime Museum, CCB Media, Mass Audubon, Resilient Woods Hole, The daVinci Pursuit, Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, Sturgis Library, Centerville Library, Cotuit Library, Osterville Village Library, Love.Live.Local, CARE for the Cape and Islands, and other Cape Cod Conservation groups. Cape Cod Academy senior Megan Morey, Ecologist Gil Newton, artist Sarah Thornington / Ebb the Tide, and retired librarian Ellen Snoeyenbos (Walking Readers Group), are also providing special programs during the month.
Resources
Are you interested in learning more? Here are some links to local and global resources that we hope will provide eco-friendly inspiration, tools, and resources during BLT’s Climate Conversations Initiative.
BLT Climate Conversations Trivia Game
Created by Megan Morey, a senior at Cape Cod Academy, this interactive game is fun for adults and kids! Learn fun facts about rising sea levels, renewable energy, and environmental solutions in this multiple-choice game.
Local Businesses Promoting Sustainability
CARE for the Cape & Islands and Love Live Local celebrate and highlight local businesses that are leading the way in sustainability, showcasing their innovative practices and contributions to our community's environmental stewardship on the Businesses that CARE webpage. Others have the opportunity to learn from these businesses and gain insights into how sustainable practices can drive positive environmental change on Cape Cod.
Based outside of Boston, this nonprofit will be leading the hands-on public art installation of Rising Waters/Fish Flags on Saturday, October 21 from 1 – 3 pm in Aselton Park/Hyannis Harbor. Their unique engagement programs combine sustainability content with art and design experiences to develop an optimistic culture of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation. They have also developed some wonderful resources for activists, green teams, and educators to engage people of all ages. Just click here to explore the possibilities.
Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative
A local coalition of business, environmental, public, and nonprofit organizations and citizens committed to addressing the climate crisis in the Cape & Islands region. You can explore local resources and initiatives here and/or sign up to attend their upcoming Net Zero 2024 event on October 24 here.
A nationally recognized award-winning energy services organization operated by the 21 towns on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard and Dukes County, they offer free energy audits and renewable energy resources.
Cape Cod Commission/Cape Cod Climate Initiative
In July 2021, the Cape Cod Commission released its Climate Action Plan that outlines a framework for action to support a climate resilient region. Read the report here and explore other resources that support the plan here.
Woodwell Climate Research Center
Woodwell Climate Research Center is based in Woods Hole and conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature—solutions that are urgently needed to propel us toward a more equitable, healthy, and sustainable world. Learn more about how they partner with a global network of communities and leaders for just, meaningful impact to address the climate crisis here.
Yale Program for Climate Change Communications
Dedicated to research and outreach on global climate change issues, you can access opinion maps by country and even county. Explore the Barnstable County feedback here.
Climate Kids is a web-based resource with games, activities, videos and that encourages kids to learn more about climate; the content is produced by the Earth Science Communications Team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology.
Resilient Woods Hole Climate Change Trail
Additional Information
If you are interested in becoming involved with Barnstable Land Trust’s programs, please contact Sue Dahling Sullivan, Director of Communications and Programs, or Kelsey Ellis, Director of Development, for sponsorship and business membership opportunities.
BLT’s Student Engagement Opportunities: Would you like to get your fellow students, local clubs, or community involved with Climate Conversations? Or help out on Saturday afternoon, September 21 at Aselton Park/Hyannis Harbor with the Rising Waters/Fish Flags installation? Megan Morey, a senior at Cape Cod Academy, prepared this one-sheeter to get you started. Just reach out to BLT if you’d like to get more involved!
About Barnstable Land Trust
BLT is a community-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources in the Town of Barnstable and nearby areas. BLT is proud to be a regional leader in collaborative land preservation and stewardship, community engagement, training, and advocacy.
