In late 2022, a group of concerned citizens organized to look at climate change from a local perspective.  A variety of existing community groups with differing interests in the topic have been represented at the meetings, which have continued monthly since then.  A guiding mission statement was set, and a variety of services and current conditions were studied by the group, to obtain a baseline of how Boyle County is dealing with present and anticipated future effects.  

Now it’s the beginning of 2025, after a year of monstrous weather-related disasters and an increasing number of warnings from some of the world’s best scientists.  World leaders across the globe speak about the threats to health and safety, food supply, national budgets, and even world peace.  Youth talk about their fears for their futures as adults.  And, thankfully, some communities have already begun to develop resiliency strategies to cope with present and future challenges.  

Being resilient refers to basing actions on reliable and sound knowledge, and an ability to bounce back after hard experiences come and learn from them for a better future.  At this point in Resilient Boyle’s development, it’s right to share some findings so far:

• Central Kentucky faces loss of forest biodiversity and wildlife habitat, increased home insurance rates, increase in severe storms and related flooding, higher summer temperatures, and disruption to farming and gardening.
• “Think Global, Act Local” applies well to a community approach to climate change.  People can become most engaged on a local level, even when public policy issues may have to be addressed at a much higher level.
• Many local organizations and government officials are doing their best to deal with the effects we are already seeing.  Community leaders are concerned, and learning from other communities.
• Environmental protection regulations benefit our community – attempts to eliminate environmental regulations and promote development over safeguards are short-sighted and only hurt Boyle County residents. 
• Our youth want to live in a community that is willing to face these challenges – not deny them.  They want leaders who are committed to honesty and shared problem solving.

As we go forward into the new year, watch for the following:

• A continuing robust and expanding Farmers Market at Constitution Square.
• A second year of Solarize Boyle, which promotes residential, farm, small business, and nonprofit rooftop solar. 
• A Community Book Discussion on Robin Wall Kimmerer’s best-selling 2024 book, “The Serviceberry”, on February 18, at 4 PM, at the Boyle County Public Library. 
• Boyle County’s ever growing annual Earth Day event on April 26.  

All are invited to be part of our community’s work on resiliency.  Resilient Boyle’s next meeting is on January 27, at 4 PM, at the Boyle County Extension Office.