Column: Enjoying the outdoors, connecting on climate change
How are you enjoying the summer? Are you trying anything new or planning a long drive to visit friends and family?
Well, at the start of the summer, I became a 2024 Climate Action Ambassador for the city of South Bend! I received an email asking me if I knew anyone who would be interested in helping people connect and learn about the city’s Climate Action Plan. I immediately thought, “Hmmm ... ME!!”
I began caring and learning about climate change years ago when I heard that those who are living in poor conditions are likely to be the most adversely affected by the colder winters, wetter springs and hotter summers. While I’m still a novice in greenhouse gas and carbon-neutral planning, I care deeply, want to learn and share what I learn. But it was my love for walking outdoors and learning about the health benefits of being in nature that inspired me to apply to be a Climate Action Ambassador. During the interview, I shared that my work with Self-Healing Communities motivates me to think of ways we can help every neighborhood have healthy green spaces to enjoy.
Like many people, I was forced outdoors in 2020. With everything closed and lots to worry about, sitting still wasn’t easy for me. I started walking outside talking on the phone to my sisters, who live in Detroit. Most of the calls began with us worried about a family member or grieving the loss of a friend. I would walk until I was too tired to worry. Then I started walking without the phone, simply to feel better. At first, I needed music or a book playing in my ears, but one day I walked out of the house without my earbuds and heard the birds singing. I decided to count the number of trees and squirrels I passed. Hey, remember, there wasn’t much to do! LOL!
As I walked, I began to appreciate living in a community with lots of trees. Around this time, I registered for a webinar led by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, who is the author of "Trauma Stewardship." In this webinar, she discussed the need to metabolize stress. I’d never heard the phrase, “metabolize stress.” She explained that stress needs to be digested so it doesn’t build up in our bodies, causing harm. She shared a handout with 15 recommendations for metabolizing stress; she named it the "Tiny Survival Guide." It is a beautiful self-care tool. The first three suggestions are “Protect Your Mornings,” “Go Outside” and “Be Active.” These inspired me to go outside multiple times a day, and it felt good. It became one of my favorite ways to meet up with friends.
Walking outdoors is still my favorite exercise and way to connect with friends. My knowledge about the benefits of being outdoors has grown significantly since 2020. One of my favorite books about these benefits is "Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness," by Dr. Qing Li. This book helped me understand the gift of spending time with trees. As a Climate Action Ambassador, I’m learning about the importance of improving our city’s tree canopy. Since becoming an ambassador, I’ve learned that areas with fewer trees are much hotter than neighborhoods with healthy tree canopies. The US Forest Service says that tree canopy coverage “can reduce temperatures 11-19 degrees Fahrenheit.” That doesn’t increase our electric bills or require any air conditioning units; it’s just the gift of nature.
As an ambassador, I’ve enjoyed learning from the city of South Bend’s Office of Sustainability team. The more I learn, the more I want to help everyone find ways to mitigate the harm caused by the changing climate. Some efforts focus on reducing pollution, while others help us adapt to climate change. I believe that every effort matters, and I hope more people become curious about ways to take action. Please consider visiting the city of South Bend’s Climate Action Planning website and join us July 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for the Climate Action Planning Open House at the IU Civil Rights Heritage Center.
Thank you for reading and happy healing.
Velshonna Luckey works for Self-Healing Communities of Greater Michiana, a community well-being movement. She lives in South Bend. Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Learn about the city of South Bend's Climate Change Action Plan