As Earth Day approaches, communities are prompted to reflect on their relationship with the planet. From composting workshops to community gardening, many seek to connect with nature and recognize their place within the larger ecosystem.
Lisa Rogers, a North Denver native and community resilience strategist, is urging her neighbors to similarly reflect on their role in the current state of human affairs, particularly in light of the intertwining climate and cultural challenges facing society today.
North Denver has largely been insulated from the severe climate disasters that have affected other areas of the country. While residents enjoy the comforts of their work-from-home setups in local coffee shops, they also watch devastating events unfold such as hurricanes and tornadoes impacting communities nationwide.
However, the repercussions of these climate events are felt even in North Denver, where residents suffer through heavy smoke from wildfires and witness the plight of climate refugees relocating due to escalating environmental challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic further emphasizes how storms are not solely rooted in weather phenomena. It has dramatically altered lifestyles and continues to yield effects on the community.
Rogers notes the persistent shifts in climate, economy, technology, and culture that have led to a kind of societal turbulence, likening the current situation to a “bomb cyclone” or “atmospheric river.”
With multiple crises converging, Rogers warns that communities must be proactive in their approach to resilience and preparedness. Just as communities come together to strategize for extreme weather conditions, they must now unite to navigate the political crises that are simultaneously unfolding.
Rogers calls for communities to gather together—such as families and local groups—to identify potential challenges and develop communication plans, evacuation routes, resource gathering, and support systems in preparation for uncertainty ahead.
“The storm is upon us,” she states, emphasizing the urgency for active engagement among neighbors in North Denver, which encompasses areas like Berkeley, Regis, West Highland, Sloans Lake, and Sunnyside, as well as the various Highlands communities.
Though still sheltered from many extreme climate events, Rogers believes that waiting for intervention from local, state, or federal agencies is no longer a viable strategy for resiliency.
Instead, her goal is to foster community-driven discussions focused on building resilience in both human and ecological systems.
Given the technological isolation brought on by modern conveniences, she highlights the importance of returning to face-to-face interactions. More than ever, local residents have found themselves engaging digitally rather than personally, preferring communication through smartphones over in-person conversations.
“Now is the time to break those habits of isolation,” Rogers asserts. “We need to come together to remember and rebuild the human ecosystem of North Denver as we face these challenging times.”
The invitation is open for residents to start holding discussions regarding the creation of community resilience networks, using nature as a guide for their endeavors. For instance, Rogers draws inspiration from the mycelium network and trees that support their systems, urging neighbors to learn from local wildlife.
Degined ‘childcare pods’ from geese and resource gathering behaviors of squirrels can serve as valuable lessons in organizing community support mechanisms for the future.
In these in-person gatherings, residents will have the opportunity to meet one another, fostering connections while discussing significant topics that can help enhance community resilience.
Rogers recalls the crucial stories that surface in the aftermath of catastrophic storms, where neighbors become strangers who extend helping hands to each other.
“It’s in those moments that we realize our strength and preparedness is always connected to one another,” she states.
In the spirit of Earth Day, Rogers invites the community to engage with each other, acknowledge their shared environment, and intentionally begin crafting a resilient network to weather the storms that lie ahead.
As a dedicated champion for strategies promoting community resilience and urban sustainability solutions, she can be contacted at [email protected] for those interested in participating in these important conversations.
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