LIFE IS A (CLIMATE) CARNIVAL

By Patricia Ohmans Frogtown Inexperienced

First the dangerous information: Frogtown, Saint Paul’s most numerous and vibrant neighborhood, will probably be onerous hit by the approaching local weather disaster. Residents of our low-income neighborhood are already affected by the elevated warmth of summer time, elevated air air pollution ranges, and flooding from extreme rainstorms.
And now the excellent news: greater than 200 Frogtowners and mates gathered on Aug. 20 to study methods to deal with and fight the impacts of local weather change – in a vigorous, fun-filled occasion referred to as the Local weather Carnival, sponsored by Frogtown Inexperienced.
The carnival occurred in a collection of festive tents on the Lily Pad, a neighborhood gathering area on Dale Avenue. Every tent targeted on a distinct side of sustainability, with hands-on video games, make-and-take alternatives, and displays.
Youngsters on the carnival inaugurated a rain backyard by catapulting (toy) frogs right into a water-filled pool; sorted by way of microscopic seeds to save lots of them for future pollinator plantings; and realized about different vitality sources by pedaling a motorcycle to make spin artwork masterpieces. Sport prizes included free treats from La Cucharada, the brand new ice cream store on Dale Avenue, in addition to take-home artwork kits donated by the Bell Museum.
Local weather change is a world downside in fact, and there may be solely a lot that every of us, as people, can do to alter the large political and financial forces which can be driving it. However taken collectively, even the smallest steps can get us a good distance towards a purpose of extra sustainable properties, communities, and even cities.
Patricia Ohmans based Frogtown Inexperienced, a volunteer-powered initiative to construct inexperienced magnificence within the Frogtown neighborhood. We plant bushes, domesticate gardens and work towards a more healthy atmosphere. For those who’d wish to know extra, our web site is frogtowngreen.com or you possibly can contact us straight at 651-757-5970.