By Olivia Robinson

Published May 24 2018

Disease. Infestation. Extreme weather. These are just a few of the consequences of human caused climate change in Haliburton County as highlighted in a new Environment Haliburton! display at Nature’s Place.

The unveiling of the climate change wall coincided with a presentation of a cheque for $500 from EH! to the Minden Hills Cultural Centre for the cost of putting together the display on May 18.

One of the more tangible ways to engage people on the subject of climate change is through the new wall installation at Nature’s Place in Minden said EH! vice-president Terry Moore.

Moore said that Enviro Cafés are a great way to get people talking about climate change but it relies on getting people to come out to the event in the first place.

“We don’t want to just simply talk to people who are already on side with respect to the need to do something about climate change urgently we want to communicate with other folks who may not feel that way.”

EH!’s climate change display describes the more permanent aspects of climate change from a scientific standpoint and its impact on the community.

“In a museum setting you have to be visual – nobody’s sitting down and reading books” said Heather Ross EH! board member. “The images on the climate change wall are all images that have happened here. Our feeling is that people will take the issue more seriously and take the need to do something more seriously if they can see how it impacts their own life.”

EH! had held previously held Enviro Café events at Nature’s Place so the conversation began unfolding between EH! and Nature’s Place curator Laurie Carmount on how best to collaborate.

“Nature’s Place has been reflecting local organizations’ views of the natural world the natural environment and the natural history of world of Haliburton County so it was a natural next step to have a more permanent wall where we could communicate important issues facing the county” Moore said.

A display adjacent to the permanent climate change installation is meant to be more changeable – representing environmental hot topics in the news such as the carbon tax he said.

Nature’s Place also has its own display about plastics complementing EH!’s installation and the alternatives that existed before the polymer’s invention 150 years ago.

EH! is encouraging Nature’s Pace visitors to fill out their survey on climate change upon a visit to the museum. Moore said he hopes the results will yield a look into residents’ understanding of climate change issues affecting Haliburton County.