Monday, April 7: Day 8

Jennifer Capasso
We have entered our second week of tree mapping and most of us have become easily accustomed to measuring the tree diameter, mapping the location, and identifying the species and crown class of the trees. Our goal was to complete a 1 hectare (100-by-100 meters) plot before the end of our two weeks at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). It seems like we are on our way to doing so. As we spend more time on each project, I’ve become increasingly appreciative of the effort that goes into a scientific study, such as tree mapping. It is interesting how one statistic in a book or publication can be overlooked so quickly; yet that one statistic is more than likely composed of years of methodical calculations. When working with SERC volunteer Dale on the stumps, he explained that he had been working on this side project since last summer! It is a slow process, and patience is a characteristic you must have in order to work in this field.I think the best motivation thus far is seeing the data we have collected being plugged into the computer and translated onto the maps at the end of the day. I am especially looking forward to seeing the tree mapping completed and recorded in the existing data Lead Scientist Dr. Jess Parker has collected.

Ada Leung
We have a learning session every night at 7:30 p.m., discovering something new about climate change, understanding HSBC’s engagement in the issue and learning about other relevant topics. It is currently midnight and the group is still brainstorming ideas for projects to combat climate change within HSBC, and possibly even externally. We’ll still have to wake up early tomorrow morning for another day of fieldwork, but this is how passionate everyone is about battling climate change. Each Climate Champion is aware of the potential challenges they will face in spreading the message. We are already setting up networks amongst ourselves as a support system. If Climate Champions find themselves in a dead end, they can bring it to the attention of other Climate Champions who may be able to move that project along using a different set of resources and contacts. Not a single person here accepts that large-scale change cannot be implemented.Meeting other fellow HSBC employees who would rather stay up to discuss climate change than sleep (which is probably what we should do after the long day we’ve had) is truly a source of inspiration for me. It is comforting to know that there are people just like me who understand climate change is a massive global problem, but are willing to genuinely commit themselves to making a difference.

Hristo Malchev
After the first days of discovery and eager learning, things have begun to slowly take shape for me. Since this is our second and final week, we have started looking beyond this program (or “programme” as some might spell it), and we are doing that in a more practical way--a way that shows we have started maturing as a team.One of the most interesting things for me has been to hear all the different perspectives people have, based on their experience and the place where they work. But our common beliefs about one issue (climate change) have been able to unite us and allow us to benefit from each other’s strengths.It is almost like the opposite of all the reality shows on TV these days, where people are typically brought together based on their incompatibility, with an objective to make them work against each other. While the change is just a couple of thing--a common goal based on a common passion--the difference is like night and day. Even though all of us are so different, I guess it doesn’t take that much to make a team that works.

Jane Vohwinkel
Week 2: Today, the weather wasn’t optimal. Cold, damp and a bit windy, even in the midst of the trees. After the morning session, we all bundled up a bit more after our lunch break. A tip to the upcoming group of Climate Champions: Make sure you bring lots of layer to accommodate the constantly changing weather this time of the year.In spite of the cold, the team was in good spirits and we moved along quickly completing our plots (likely the result of wanting to stay warm!). Also, I need to mention that we had a great time last evening playing charades (yes, you revert to very rudimentary forms of entertainment in the woods). We are very fortunate; the entire team has a terrific sense of humor as well as the natural ability to simply get along. Everyone works well and similarly “plays” well together. Regardless of what we’re tackling, we’re like “missionaries” on a mission (passionate). The SERC folks have told us we are making great progress in completing the identification and tagging of most of the trees in the hectares we are covering.Looking forward to more discussion/idea sharing on how we will position and convey all the knowledge we’ve gained. While a privilege to be chosen for the task, it’s also a tremendous responsibility to be commissioned to spread such an important message. From the field…Chilly Jane!