Author talks climate future at Common Ground Country Fair
Sep. 21—UNITY — The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is doing what is needed to help create a healthier climate future — including supporting local farmers, focusing on organic produce and powering the entire Common Ground Country Fair complex using the sun.
That was the answer Ayana Elizabeth Johnson gave Saturday to MOFGA's executive director, Sara Alexander, who asked what people can do to help "get it right."
"I think there's a lot to do," Johnson said. "But the sense that there's sweetness to a more rural life that I think a lot of people are craving and feel so disconnected with nature — that sense of finding purpose through being able to feed people I think is very gratifying and very needed and so, kudos to you."
Johnson, keynote speaker Saturday at the 48th annual MOFGA fair, is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank that focuses on the future of coastal cities. She also authored the book "What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures." The Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College is a scientist, policy expert, writer and teacher working to help create a better climate future.
Johnson, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in Freeport, interviewed scientists, writers, farmers and others for her book.
She said humans have changed the chemistry of seawater, which has about one-third of carbon dioxide from greenhouse gases. The waters have warmed, currents are starting to shift and species are moving. Johnson said there is now no lobster in Long Island Sound, and the area where she used to summer in Florida was at 100 degrees Fahrenheit last summer, which is the temperature of hot tub water. Schedules for farmers to plant and harvest have changed due to climate.
"I've just been so disappointed about how culture has ignored the solutions," she said.
Johnson spoke about how her mother, an English teacher in New York City, retired and moved to upstate New York, bought a farm and put it in a land trust for organic farmers to take over and steward into the future. She then bought 40 acres and turned it into a food garden with fruit trees, berry bushes, a barn with solar power, a greenhouse, 400 chickens and many roosters. She farmed the site for 20 years, from age 60 to 80.
Alexander asked Johnson about what she thought about those involved in corporate agriculture touting the idea that technology will solve problems — that people shouldn't worry.
"I think it's silly," Johnson said. "I think it's wrong. I think it's naive, especially in the context of climate change."
About 1% of New England is farmland, according to Johnson, who said getting that percentage up to 5% or 10% would go a long way toward realizing food security. An ultimate model would include more rural farms with more people farming sustainably, more ocean farmers for seaweed and shellfish and a plan to safeguard waterfront that is not privately owned.
Johnson recommended people engage in climate action by considering three questions: What are you good at, such as protesting, donating, spreading the word and lowering the carbon footprint; what climate and justice solutions do you want to work on, such as preserving heirloom seed varieties, working with land trusts, preserving agricultural land or waterfront property and working on a farm bill; and what brings you joy. A lot of the time, the places one can have the most impact is in their own community, she said.
Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science and public policy from Harvard University, and a doctorate in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, and on the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project.
Thousands flocked to the fair off Crosby Brook Road on Saturday where it was breezy, a cool 62 degrees and overcast. They dined on organic food, bought goods at the farmers market, listened to political action advocates speak, viewed folk art, danced and listened to live music. The also watched sheep dog and draft horse demonstrations and watched a vegetable parade.
Peter Kelly of Portland, wearing a floral wreath on his head, was enjoying a conversation with Lily Deupree of South Portland and her old friend, Catherine Shyka of Belfast whom she hadn't seen in 25 years. Kelly said he was enjoying the fair and all it had to offer.
"It's my first time here and it's a blast and both exciting and chill," he said.
The final day of the three-day fair starts at 9 a.m. Sunday.
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