Structures That Breathe: India's Move Away from Cooling Machines

India is building homes that stay cool naturally, reducing the need for air conditioners. This helps save energy and costs.

#PassiveDesign, #SustainableBuilding, #IndiaHomes, #CoolingSolutions, #ClimateResilient

https://newsletter.tf/india-builds-cooler-homes-without-air-conditioners/

New homes in India are being built to stay cool without air conditioners, using old building methods. This is a big change from using more energy.

#PassiveDesign, #SustainableBuilding, #IndiaHomes, #CoolingSolutions, #ClimateResilient
https://newsletter.tf/india-builds-cooler-homes-without-air-conditioners/

#ClimateResilient #Gardening: How to Adapt Your Garden to #ExtremeWeather

ECO gardener, Nov 14, 2024

Excerpt: "Gardening in Extreme Weather

Gardening in extreme weather can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can protect plants and maintain a healthy garden:

Choose Weather-Resistant Plants
Opt for #DroughtTolerant, heat-resistant plants in hot climates (like succulents or lavender) and hardy, cold-resistant species in colder climates (like kale or coneflowers).

Use #Mulch to Retain Moisture and Insulate
Applying a thick layer of organic mulch helps regulate soil temperature and retain moisture, making it essential in both hot and cold conditions.

Install #ShadeCloth or Row Covers
In intense heat, a shade cloth can protect plants from direct sun, while row covers offer frost protection during cold spells.

Water Smartly
For hot weather, water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and avoid wetting foliage. In winter, water during the day when temperatures are above freezing to help roots absorb moisture before the ground freezes.

Consider #RaisedBeds
Raised beds help with drainage in #WetClimates and can warm up faster in colder weather, giving plants a more stable growing environment.

Wind Protection Strategies
Use windbreaks like shrubs, fencing, or netting to shield plants from damaging winds that can dry out or freeze foliage.

Invest in Hardy #ContainerGardens
For extreme weather, container gardens are versatile—easily moved to sunny spots, shady areas, or even indoors as needed. [I do this with tomatoes and other plants]

Optimize Soil Health
Healthy, well-drained soil holds moisture better in heat and protects roots from frost damage in winter. Regularly add compost to enrich soil.

Use #ColdFrames or #Greenhouses
These structures create a controlled environment, extending the growing season and protecting plants from temperature extremes.

Keep an Eye on Weather Patterns
Staying informed about sudden temperature changes can help you take timely action, like covering plants or adjusting watering schedules.

With these tips, you can create a resilient garden that adapts to extreme weather challenges while keeping your plants thriving."

Learn more:
https://ecogardener.com/blogs/news/climate-resilient-gardening

#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeGardening #FoodSecurity #ClimateChangeAdaptation #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO #GardeningChallenges #ResilientGarden #Resiliency

#ClimateResilient #Gardening: Stories and Examples

Growing food #locally is a #ClimateChange solution

Updated: April 1, 2026

"How are #Maryland gardeners adapting their #gardens and #GreenSpaces to climate change? We posed this question to our colleagues in the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and they shared examples of everything from #composting and food gardening to #PlantingTrees and #NativePlants, installing #RainGardens, and more!

"Action on climate change is needed on a large scale, and our individual daily actions add up also. Check out these stories and take our quick poll at the end. Tell us how you're doing climate-resilient gardening!"

Learn more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/climate-resilient-gardening-stories-and-examples/

#SolarPunkSunday #LocalFood #BuyLocal #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO #Gardening #GardeningChallenges #ClimateChangeGardening

How to Create a #ClimateResilient Garden

Published by Bea Thomson on July 1, 2025

"In the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and the threat of global #ClimateChange, creating a climate-resilient garden has become more important than ever. By implementing #sustainable gardening practices and choosing #resilient plants, you can create a garden that can adapt to the changing climate and thrive in challenging conditions. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to create a climate-resilient garden, covering various aspects such as #WaterConservation, soil health, plant selection, and sustainable gardening techniques."

Read more:
https://gardensandgardening.co.uk/beginners-tips/learn-how-to-create-a-climate-resilient-garden-with-water-conservation-soil-health-plant-selection-and-sustainable-gardening-techniques/

#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeGardening #GardeningChallenges #ClimateResiliency

#Agroecology as the path to #ClimateResilient and just food systems

By Dr Susan Chomba, Director Food, Land and Water at World Resources Institute Africa

Monday, July 28, 2025 — updated on August 02, 2025

"The 2nd National Agroecology Symposium, held in Nairobi from July 10–11, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in #Kenya’s food systems transformation.

"The event brought together farmers, researchers, civil society, private sector actors, media, and policymakers with one clear message: Agroecology must move from the margins to the centre of national agricultural strategy. It is not just an alternative; it is the most viable path forward to achieve our intertwined goals for #people, #nature, and #climate—without compromising one for the other.
Agroecology offers a coherent framework for #RegeneratingSoils, producing safe and nutritious food, and building #ClimateResilient and #equitable #FoodSystems.

"As #ClimateChange intensifies, this approach provides Kenya and other #AfricanNations a powerful opportunity to lead a just transition—rooted in #LocalKnowledge, backed by #science, and responsive to the realities of #smallholder #farmers.

A crossroads for Kenya’s food systems

"Kenya’s food systems are at a crossroads. The dominant model—based on chemical-intensive agriculture and ultra-processed foods—is driving soil degradation, poor nutrition, increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases, and the pollution of our rivers and lakes. This model also contributes significantly to #biodiversity loss and #GreenhouseGasEmissions.

"Alternatively, a more resilient and #sustainable path is within reach—one that aligns human health with ecological integrity. But this transition cannot be left to smallholder farmers alone. It requires coordinated leadership from governments—particularly ministries of agriculture, health, environment, and finance—as well as development partners, scientists, and the private sector.

"Farmers should not be expected to feed a growing population and withstand escalating #ClimateShocks while being under-supported or misdirected by ineffective policies and subsidies. Without the right investments and incentives, we risk deepening the crisis.

What agroecology is—and isn’t

"Agroecology is too often misunderstood as a nostalgic return to low-productivity farming. In reality, it is a sophisticated, evidence-informed, and farmer-driven approach to transforming food systems in ways that are locally appropriate and ecologically sound. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a dynamic practice that integrates scientific research with #TraditionalKnowledge.

"The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) outlines 10 elements of agroecology, while the High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) has identified 13 principles. These include #RecyclingNutrients, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening synergies, and co-creating knowledge."

Source [paywall]:
https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/blogs/agroecology-as-the-path-to-climate-resilient-and-just-food-systems-5140556

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/QxY8u

#SolarPunkSunday #AgroEcology #FoodSecurity #Africa #ClimageChangeResiliency #SharingKnowledge