Our response to the Climate Emergency

I’ve proposed a charter to show the response of the society to the climate emergency.  It’s a simple document highlighting the things gardeners can do to address the issue of climate change and loss of biodiversity.

The CHAS committee is looking at the document which is in draft form and I think the idea is for the final document to go to the wider membership for adoption – hopefully before COP26

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My view is that the society should lead from the front.  It’s my view that the response needs to be radical (others view, not mine), if we propose and agree to do the easy at the expense of real change we will have failed to do anything worthwhile.

There are probably other issues that could be added to this charter and I’d be happy to hear from anyone with a view on it – it is, as I say, in draft at the moment.

12 thoughts on “Our response to the Climate Emergency”

  1. Good news on the new Climate Change Charter, to be applauded loud and clear. Re the ‘no dig’ method, we tried it experimentally last year, with very positive results, so expanding our efforts this year. Some weeds inevitably seed into the compost, but fewer weeds and good crop yield.
    Re bonfires, is it possible to have a bonfire party without setting a match to anything? I understand a medium sized bonfire can release half a ton of carbon into the atmosphere, which goes against the aims of the charter and the future direction of the society. The resultant rotting wood could make a shelter for hedgehogs over winter and add to biodiversity and habitat for mini beasts.

  2. Christina Meiklejohn

    This is a pretty simple set of criteria for a charter, it’s based on RHS guidelines. It will be up for discussion, the biggest danger is that its watered down, I want this charter to make people think and act differently.
    No one will be forced to adhere to the charter it’s a statement of intent – I hope it will say that CHAS members and all allotmenteer’s have taken on board the problem of climate change and loss of biodiversity and intend to do something about it.

  3. Brilliant initiative and we look forward to viewing the document and doing what we can to mitigate global warming. Thanks

      1. Thanks Henry.
        We are fully compliant already if that is any comfort. Agree with all of the points made in the charter . Best regards Nick and Karen

  4. Dear Pam,
    Please don’t worry; once the committee have had a chance to consider it, they will circulate it to members for your comments, too.
    Although there is, as you’d expect, a wide divergence of opinions, I see no harm in recommending better ways of doing things – rather than being dogmatically prescriptive.
    (Having said that, I’m only one vote on the committee, so there’s always I chance my views won’t be in the majority!)
    I think the useful things at this point is for all of us to chip in with whatever helpful suggestions we can think of.
    For example, ‘no dig gardening’ (where you just poke a hole in the ground for your seeds and seedlings, rather than digging up the whole bed) is a way of reducing the amount of CO2 released by the soil when you use a pitchfork to turn the whole bed. Have you tried it and, if so, is it any good?
    Kind regards,
    Henry Gewanter

    1. Hi Henry,
      thanks for your response, but posting that post with no details, I can’t be the only one with a feeling of doom, and I’m a cup half full type of person.
      No dig ideally good but you need a very thick layer of compost etc on top and still some weeds still come up. That necessitates lots of compost etc and can be difficult to make enough on the plot so has to be brought in and not having a car makes that difficult plus bags are heavy.
      A solution could be deliveries of bagged compost etc delivered to every plot preordered, not just a few sites, because of differences in mobility capacities.Just a thought.
      Many thanks
      Pam

      1. Thanks for the info re ‘no dig gardening’ – I can see the advantages of your suggestion about compost delivery, but can also see the drawbacks for those tasked with the job, so I suggest you take that up directly with our new Chairman, Dennis Flaherty, who now has the invidious responsibility of making things happen!
        Dennis posted the document, but on another page somewhere I can’t find a link to now, so here it is again:

        Chiswick Horticultural and Allotments Society
        A CHARTER TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY

        This is the Chiswick Horticultural and Allotments Society Climate Change Charter. By now everyone, particularly gardeners, must be aware of the effects of climate change on our gardens and allotments. CHAS believes that it is the responsibility of everyone to address the climate change emergency and decline in biodiversity.

        By adopting this Charter the Society wishes to show it’s pro-active stance on combating climate change and the decline in biodiversity. Many of the actions listed are already undertaken by many of the Society members, the purpose of this charter is to inform and encourage all members of the Society and all gardeners on the allotments and in the area to embrace practices that will reduce carbon emissions and increase biodiversity.

        CHAS believes it has a responsibility to be at the forefront of action on climate change and loss of biodiversity, which is why we are adopting this Charter.

        Chiswick Horticultural and Allotments Society
        Charter to Address Climate Change.

        This Society intends to take the following action to aid and encourage its members to help in the fight against climate change and loss of biodiversity:

        • Green our plots/gardens
        • Plant a diverse range of plants
        • Adopt new ways of growing [list suggestions, ie not digging up beds, etc?]
        • Be water–wise
        • Go peat free
        • Compost garden and kitchen waste
        • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse

        In practical terms this means that the Society will:

        1. No longer sell peat-based compost in the Trading Hut or use it to grow seedlings.
        2. Source plants, seed, compost and tools from UK providers.
        3. Will not stock insecticides, herbicides or fungicides that contain chemicals detrimental to biodiversity.
        4. Reuse plastic wherever possible and eliminate where it can be substituted.
        5. Reduce water use ie ensure all standpipes have a dipping tank, discourage the use of hoses and sprinklers. Encourage the use of water butts.
        6. Look at the impact the CHAS building has on the environment ie. ensure we are on a renewable tariff for electricity. Plan for a replacement building that is carbon neutral.
        7. Aid the council ensuring all plots are let and managed well.

        CHAS Response to the Climate Emergency Aug 2021.odt

        Kind regards,
        Henry

  5. Hi
    I can’t see the draft document, should I be able to? It makes me slightly anxious regarding the word radical. I hope things are not going to be made difficult for allotment holders. A lot of allotment holders are in the older age group, some with medical problems, and can’t necessarily walk or get bus to allotment. I find not showing us the document worrying.
    Regards
    Pam
    Dukes Meadows
    Plot 169.

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