Neighborhood Climate Action Network leader Jim Hartman explains the myriad benefits of getting to know your neighbors, from a stronger community to a more effective climate response
Fifty years ago, knowing your neighbors was the norm. In 1972, more than sixty percent of Americans reported spending at least one social evening with neighbors each month, according to the Pew Research Center. In recent years, however, neighborhoods have become more atomized. As of 2022, that percentage had declined to 46 percent.
There are real benefits to fighting that trend — an interconnected neighborhood is a safety net. There are more helping hands for vulnerable community members, more opportunities to lend and borrow tools or expertise, and more people to rally together in the event of an emergency. That’s especially important in the face of climate change: it requires a group effort to make the changes necessary to reduce climate pollution and build a city that is resilient to unnatural disasters like wildfire. In 2022, Ashland Climate Collaborative volunteer Jim Hartman decided to take action to bring his neighborhood together. Here’s his story:
Three years ago, I started a neighborhood group to take local action on climate change. I felt that reducing our climate pollution and addressing our shared wildfire risks required community collaboration. Around 12 neighbors began meeting monthly on Sunday afternoons, ending each gathering with a potluck dinner.
Our neighborhood already had kind people and friendly relationships, but I was surprised by how deeply our connection grew once we began meeting regularly. By listening to each other in an open, non-judgmental way, we built a new level of trust and understanding.
Building Connection Through Regular Gatherings
Each meeting begins with a simple check-in question to help us know each other better—things like “Why did you move to Ashland, and from where?” or “How do you recharge yourself during the dark winter months?” These brief moments of sharing have become some of the most memorable and meaningful parts of our time together.
We spend about an hour of each meeting sharing accurate and concise information on climate change, relying on local experts like the fire department and note our sources so facts can be double-checked. We are open to everyone’s thoughts, are open to criticism and correct errors when we are wrong.
Topics have ranged from wildfire prevention, disruptive scenarios (evacuation, extreme heat, smoke and power outage), and water conservation. For reducing a household’s emissions, we’ve looked at food, transportation, and household energy use. We’ve even examined participatory democracy and misinformation, climate anxiety and communication strategies. We provide free educational resources on these topics, developing new ones each year. Groups are free to decide what to focus on and how they will do it.
One of the most important benefits of building these relationships is keeping our neighborhood safe from wildfire. We’ve made steady progress on that front. Many neighbors now have personal checklists of future improvements they’ll make as time and money allow, such as replacing chunky bark mulch with less flammable material like Rogue Fine Compost, and swapping out flammable wooden fence panels that touch the house with metal panels. We’ve also created a map identifying five households that would need extra help in an evacuation. Those who are able-bodied know exactly who to check in with when the embers start to fly.
Everyday Kindness in Action
Being part of this group feels like being part of a generous, extended family.
One neighbor introduced my wife and I to the Rogue Valley Peace Choir, which has brought great joy into our lives. The same family often shares fresh produce from their garden, and I’ve helped them with yard projects in return.
Three households get together several times a year to sing and play music. Daryl, who is 83 and lives kitty-corner from us, has become like family—she watched our kids grow up and joins us for Thanksgiving each year. We stop by to chat and share cookies or soup a couple times a month. Joel, a retired English teacher, and I swap nature and adventure books. Doug has collaborated with me on presentations about misinformation and taught everyone how to make an inexpensive fire-resistant gate. Eric, my next-door neighbor, has helped shape our respectful discussion style and developed ten different presentations with me. When a huge oak tree fell across my driveway while I was out of town, Eric quickly found a crew to clear it.
Moments like these remind me how good it feels to know your neighbors truly have your back—and that you have theirs.
Start Your Own Neighborhood Climate Club
If you’ve ever wanted to strengthen your neighborhood while taking practical climate action, consider starting a climate club of your own. It’s one of the most rewarding projects you can do—both for the planet and for the people right around you.
If you’d like help getting started, I’d be happy to share what we’ve learned. To get more details you can check out our web pages on the Ashland Climate Collaborative Website 📧 You can also Email me at jimhartmancc@gmail.com
Together, we can grow trust, kindness, and resilience—one block at a time.