{"id":14615,"date":"2020-09-02T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=14615"},"modified":"2020-08-28T14:48:14","modified_gmt":"2020-08-28T18:48:14","slug":"land-and-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/land-and-climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking to Land for Climate Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s time to talk about land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not just about the diverse habitats, wildlife, and plants undeveloped land contains, but also the myriad of solutions land holds to our environment\u2019s most pressing problem: climate change. When we look to land, we can see natural climate solutions that play an indispensable role in our larger, collective climate fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo \u00a9<\/em> Diana Chaplin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Two Sides to the Climate Coin: Mitigation and Adaptation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In order to keep our communities and wildlife healthy while striding towards a carbon-neutral future<\/a> by 2050, we need to both adapt to and mitigate climate change. Land helps us do both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To adapt to climate change means to contend with its current impacts. Protected land boosts our resilience against these impacts we\u2019re already seeing, right here and now, like extreme weather events and heat. For example, grasslands and farmlands can store significant stormwater<\/a> from climate change-induced increased rainfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mitigate climate change means to tackle the crisis at its roots. Land is home to natural tools, like trees and wetlands, that soak up carbon dioxide like a sponge, helping us remove rampant greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere. Right now, natural solutions are one of the few mitigation strategies that we can immediately and urgently utilize with large impact. Each acre of forest, for example, holds immense value<\/a> in mitigation efforts by storing about 103 tons of carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paired with climate policy like An Act creating a 2050 roadmap to a clean and thriving Commonwealth <\/em>(H.4912)<\/a>, which includes amended language<\/a> to require Massachusetts to consider land\u2019s climate impact, conserving land is one of the most tangible and powerful climate solutions in our toolkit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helping People and Wildlife Alike<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Land provides home and refuge to plants and animals, including rare and threatened species. However, as climate change causes temperatures to rise in Massachusetts and around the world, we\u2019re seeing wildlife forced to shift their habitat ranges to adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wildlife corridors are connected protected lands that allow plants and animals to move safely and as needed, unimpeded by human development and activity. These movements can be a part of migration, breeding, finding food, and so many more behaviors critical to the survival of our nature. Wildlife corridors are essential to safeguard our plants, animals, and nature\u2019s biodiversity as they adapt to climate change by finding their natural habitat in new locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People also benefit from conserved land. Climate change aggravates public health<\/a> issues, but conserving land can help us counteract some of these effects. The same natural tools that buffer the impacts of climate change and soak up excess greenhouse gas emissions also keep our communities healthy by purifying the air we breathe and the water we drink<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Piece of the Climate Solutions Puzzle: Land Conservation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To boldly act on climate, we must turn to solutions that we can pursue right now, and conserved land is one piece of the larger, climate solutions puzzle. Mass Audubon is among the largest conservation non-profits in New England, and has conserved more than 38,000 acres of ecologically significant land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But we need your help to maximize the climate impact of our land conservation. Join us in working towards a carbon neutral future by supporting one of our urgent land projects<\/a> \u2013 you can make a difference in solving the crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also join our climate community by signing up<\/a> for our monthly e-newsletter, Climate Connection, and stay up to date on climate information, community action, and solutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s time to talk about land. Not just about the diverse habitats, wildlife, and plants undeveloped land contains, but also the myriad of solutions land holds to our environment\u2019s most pressing problem: climate change. When we look to land, we can see natural climate solutions that play an indispensable role in our larger, collective climate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":14617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[178,10],"tags":[246,150,362],"class_list":["post-14615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate","category-land-protection","tag-climate-action","tag-climate-change","tag-land-conservation"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/08\/5148Diana_Chaplin24121.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3NJ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13007,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-role-of-land-conservation-in-fighting-climate-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":14615,"position":0},"title":"The Role of Land Conservation in Fighting Climate Change","author":"Alexandra Vecchio","date":"August 14, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The climate crisis often evokes images of coal-burning power plants, oil rigs drilling for fossil fuels, and congested roadways filled with gas-guzzling vehicles. But what about the land that surrounds us? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has told us that we are in the fight of our lives\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/LB_KForesto-07552-750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/LB_KForesto-07552-750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/LB_KForesto-07552-750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/LB_KForesto-07552-750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13176,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/leading-by-gretas-example\/","url_meta":{"origin":14615,"position":1},"title":"Leading By Greta’s Example","author":"Hillary T.","date":"October 1, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"If you\u2019ve been following the news about the youth-led climate strikes, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ve heard about, and been inspired by, Greta Thunberg. This 16-year-old from Sweden has galvanized millions worldwide to speak out about the climate crisis and demanded that world leaders take meaningful action on this urgent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Greta Thunberg","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/GretaNatureNow.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/GretaNatureNow.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/GretaNatureNow.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/GretaNatureNow.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14656,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/hemlocks-and-climate-ama\/","url_meta":{"origin":14615,"position":2},"title":"You Asked, We Answered \u2013 Land, Hemlocks, and Climate Change","author":"Rishya N.","date":"September 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Last week, Olivia Barksdale, Mass Audubon\u2019s Conservation Restriction Stewardship Specialist, journeyed into Rutland Brook wildlife sanctuary in Petersham to talk about land, hemlock trees, and climate change. Photo \u00a9 Clark University An Overview of Hemlocks Hemlock trees are evergreen conifers that are widely distributed across Massachusetts. 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When it comes to conserving land, we look at many characteristics of a property, especially if it contains priority habitat, acts as a wildlife corridor, or will be resilient\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Land Protection"","block_context":{"text":"Land Protection","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/land-protection\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Lime Kiln Farm","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/Land600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/Land600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/Land600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12222,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/whats-your-climate-resolution\/","url_meta":{"origin":14615,"position":4},"title":"What’s Your Climate Resolution?","author":"Alexandra Vecchio","date":"January 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a9 Courtney Campbell As we begin making our New Year\u2019s resolutions, tackling climate change needs to be at the top of that list.\u00a0 According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2018 was the fourth warmest year on record.\u00a0 Heat waves, extreme rain, hurricanes, and wildfires all made headlines across the U.S.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/4551COURTNEY_CAMPBELL20123.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/4551COURTNEY_CAMPBELL20123.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/4551COURTNEY_CAMPBELL20123.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/4551COURTNEY_CAMPBELL20123.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15016,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-year-to-remember\/","url_meta":{"origin":14615,"position":5},"title":"A Year to Remember","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The past year has been one like no other. While there have been many challenges, there have also been triumphs. Here are just a few highlights.","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/1697Mark_Landman21510-720x480-f857de64-a1fd-4bf5-ab30-58ba0aa97c9d.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/1697Mark_Landman21510-720x480-f857de64-a1fd-4bf5-ab30-58ba0aa97c9d.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/1697Mark_Landman21510-720x480-f857de64-a1fd-4bf5-ab30-58ba0aa97c9d.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/1697Mark_Landman21510-720x480-f857de64-a1fd-4bf5-ab30-58ba0aa97c9d.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/126"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14615"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14623,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14615\/revisions\/14623"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}