Who we are:
'Climate Change Gardening' became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Registered Charity Number: 1208653) in June 2024. We consist of a group of gardeners that are concerned about climate change. The CIO is based in East Anglia, and has six trustees.
Our approach:
Private gardens are the third largest land use sector in England, with over 20 million people identifying as gardeners. Whether our gardens are large or small, through our choices of plants, cultivation techniques, composts, watering, wild areas, and many other details, together we can make an important difference.
We have developed the following 4-pronged approach as a basis for explaining, encouraging and inspiring gardeners to respond to climate change:
1. Accept and Adapt: There are many ways that gardens can remain attractive and productive, despite climate change, for example by creating a dry garden or by switching to heat-tolerant crops. However, adaption does nothing to mitigate climate change itself.
2. Soften the impacts. Gardens can help soften the many negative impacts of climate change. For example, planting for shade will help cool homes, while creating wildlife habitats in the garden will help compensate for losses elsewhere,
3. Reduce emissions. Even gardening can emit significant quantities of greenhouse gases, for example by using peat, by digging, or of course by use of garden machinery. Garden emissions can be significantly reduced by going peat-free or adopting no-dig.
4. Capture carbon. Thanks to photosynthesis, plants capture carbon from the air and lock it up in plant tissues. In addition to conventional planting, by replacing some paving with plants, and by adding climbers to bare walls and fences, the carbon capturing surfaces in the garden can be usefully increased.
Through our website, talks, stands at events, and various projects, we raise awareness of this approach to the gardening community.
Get Involved:
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to work with us on engaging with the gardening community about climate change issues.
Gardeners talking with gardeners....