Can Christchurch plant its way out of climate change?
A speaker event exploring the opportunities and limitations of using plants in response to climate change.
Plants are vital for life on Earth. In a warming world, they provide shade, reduce erosion, slow flooding, store carbon, and more. Put simply, they are good for people and the planet. The effective use of this green infrastructure could be important in cities as the challenges of climate change intensify.
How can we best use plants in our cities to ameliorate the effects of the rapidly-changing climate? When is it appropriate to offset emissions by planting trees? Are trees our best urban climate technology?
From street trees and rain gardens to carbon accounting, ‘Can Christchurch plant its way out of climate change?’ is an exploration of the opportunities and limitations of using plants in response to climate change.
Join us to hear from experts, passionate people and groups working in this area. Learn about the steps we can take to reach our climate change goals as a city.
I was invited to take part in the above event by poet, climate change activist and friend Erik Kennedy. He and the organisers including Jessica Halliday the force behind Te Pūtahi - centre for architecture + city-making thought it a great idea to have a poet reading appropriate pieces as part of the proceedings. The event was wonderfully organised and very stimulating. I brought up almost the rear of the programme and I read Letter to Oumuamua and Living in the Goldilocks Zone, both from my forthcoming book Letter to Oumuamua.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOr_gUwLX4Y