Climate Crisis Forum Part I – The Good December 11, 2009

It has now been almost a week since I held my Climate Change Town Hall and I promised a post last weekend that I had yet to write until today. Better late than never, right? Plus I am leaving this Saturday, so once landed I will be blogging about all the meetings, conferences, youth events, protests going on as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, rather than what happened last week. So I will catch you up now.

On Friday December 4th, from 7-9 PM, I held my Climate Crisis Forum at Oakville Town Hall. The purpose of the town halls (that we were mandated to run as part of our role as IFLRY and YLC delegates) were to discuss the direction of climate change policy moving forward from Kyoto in preparation for my voyage to COP15. I decided to make the forum a community event with local experts with different perspectives on the issue. With much help from my local environmental organization Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, I was able to assemble a diverse and compelling panel to discuss the ever-more pressing issue of climate change. My panelists were:

– Blake Poland, an Associate Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Co-Director of the Environmental Health Justice Research Network of the Centre for Urban Health Initiatives, former Director the Collaborative Program in Community Development (2007-2008). Dr. Poland is also co-principal organizer of Transition Oakville, lead organizer of Halton Green Screens eco-film series, and Board member of Oakvillegreen. Increasingly, his current research and teaching focuses on building community resilience for the transition to a post-carbon society.

– Liz Benneian, a former newspaper editor and current president of Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, who will talk about how citizens can become effective advocates for action on the Climate Crisis.

– Stephen Williamson, a former oil industry businessman who, since retirement has received an Honours BA in the Conflict Studies Program and a Masters in International Relations from the University of Toronto. Since 2007, he has volunteered with several NGOs especially The Climate Project Canada, headed by Al Gore.

– Cindy Toth, the director of Environmental Policy for the Town of Oakville, who will discuss what action the Town of Oakville is taking to reduce its carbon footprint and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The evening began with a quick and compelling video, which Steve had stumbled upon and thought would be appropriate in captivating the forum guests.

Afterwards, I welcomed all the guests and gave a brief introduction to one of the guests of honour, Mayor Rob Burton. Early on in the planning of my town hall, I was in touch with his assistant who helped to ensure that the Mayor would at least stop by and say hello. I was very glad to have the Mayor just stop by, but was very pleased to see that he stayed for entire duration of the event! While I was preparing my introduction to the event, I wanted to briefly speak to the Mayor’s accomplishments, prior jobs/careers and political involvement. What I found out was that Mayor Burton has been a long-standing environmental advocate. He had been very supportive in my efforts leading up to the event and I had participated in a tree planting with Oakvillegreen and the Mayor for a 350.org International Day of Climate Action event; However, I did not fully realize the extent of his interest in environmental issues until I looked into his biographical information. Not only was he a successful TV and film tycoon, but he was an investigative journalist with a fervor for environmental issues; as well as a leading community activist against a new power plant in the area and further development in North Oakville. He also created the Oakville Environmental Fund to help residents fight the developers in hearings over OMB proposals. I feel very honoured to have had the Mayor at my event, but I am elated knowing that his interest in climate change is not of pure political convenience, rather it is a raison d’être.

The Mayor of Oakville and I during introductions at the Forum

Next, my panelists each took about 15 minutes to tackle one aspect of the climate change issue. Blake focused on social justice issues involved between the Global North and South, peak oil and it’s close relationship with climate change, as well as the transition to a post-carbon society. He also described how social change does not happen gradually, rather it seemingly happens overnight. If we think about many notable and historic social changes, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the abolishing of slavery and the fight for gay rights, we can see just how quickly they were realized. Blake briefly talked about some sacrifices that people can make in their lifestyle choices, such as limiting or eliminating air travel (which he had recently pledged to do). Cindy spoke next about the initiatives that the Town of Oakville has implementing such as the expansion of public transit and carpool programs, energy efficient town buildings and waste diversion strategies. Steve’s perspective focused on the campaign against the truth about the Climate Crisis and described how powerful the forces (big OIL $$, greedy PR firms and green turfing organizations) are behind this manipulation. It was truly fascinating to hear just how coordinated and persuasive the skeptics/deniers can be.

Liz was the final panelist and took the initiative to speak about how to be an effectual and efficient activist. We wanted to stay away from the usual tips/advice on how to reduce your carbon footprint and become more eco-friendly as there is already plenty of this type of information out there. Besides, with the belief that real social change occurs spontaneously and due to a relatively sudden change in public opinion what we need is first the grassroots effort led by a small group of dedicated and impassioned individuals. Liz emphasized that we do not need to convince those people on the other end of the spectrum (the skeptics or deniers); we only need to tip the scales a little bit to change the dynamic of social change – to change the balance from the status quo towards activism . This means that we do not need to preach to the converted and waste our time acting with those who are already convinced that we need action on climate change (these are futile efforts to take part in as activists). The goal with enacting social change is to push people along the spectrum of the social barometer: to take the leading opponents of social change and move them towards active, then passive opponents and eventually to neutral parties; to take the neutral people and edge them towards passive and subsequently active allies; to change those who are allies of the aim, motivate them to turn their knowledge and understanding into passion and action. The tactics in which one can achieve this shift from opponent to ally in social thinking are: reveal motives of parties,building relationships, giving the opportunity to change position, encourage participation, empower with knowledge and resources, increase cohesion, encourage and then through active support and nurturing of those now activists. Liz, as president of Oakvillegreen, provides a seminar on exactly how advocacy groups (especially environmental) can “Organize to Win”. This seminar is truly inspiring and empowering for both individuals and groups. Liz travels around Ontario with this seminar to help out environmental advocacy groups become organized to enact that social change that is needed.

Following our panel discussion, we opened the floor up to the forum guests for comments or questions to the panelists. We had some great feedback from the crowd. Surprisingly even a few who did not understand simple climate change concepts such as the “greenhouse effect”. It sure was a shock to me, having learned for almost 4 years the science behind climate change and all the media attention it has received over the last 10 years. One question asked about making public transportation free to the public to promote it’s use. This got me thinking that at least allowing a trial period for all residents to see the routes now available would be a highly valuable exercise in persuading people to make a switch from their cars to buses.

One question from my sister asked what advice the panelists would give to me as I embark on this adventure to COP15. Some of the advice given was to make as many connections as I can and learn as much as I can so that I may bring this knowledge base back home and into my future endeavours. The advice from Blake was to engage with youth not only from the Global North, but as well as the Global South as we have a lot to learn from developing countries. He also emphasized again how important it is to bridge the gap among countries in the North and South with this new post-Kyoto agreement. This advice resonated within me, especially since the recent disputes among the strength of the developed countries’ emission reduction targets versus those of developing nations and responsibilities for funding. As I head out to Copenhagen on Saturday, I hope to make connections and and partnerships with youth – not only with those from the developed world, but with those in the developing world. It’s potentially more important than vital to network with the Global South than North since they have so much to lose and us so much to learn.

My next post will focus on the invasion of my forum discussion by a climate change skeptic, the aftermath of this incident and the “Climate-Gate” ridiculousness. Again I apologize for my wordiness, I hope you enjoy reading!

Check out the pictures of my Climate Crisis Forum below…

The Mayor of Oakville and I at my Climate Crisis Forum

Cooperation not Co-dependency, please November 25, 2009

The Toronto Star’s Editorial Cartoon today sums up some of my recent frustrations with Harper’s [lack of] initiative on climate change and contained enthusiasm (my nice way of saying total apathy and dissent) for acting as a major player on the international stage during COP-15. Stephen Harper, you are one lame, co-dependent, weakling of a leader. Even before Obama committed to attending the summit last Wednesday, he had fully acknowledged his role as commander-in-chief of the most powerful nation in the world and pledged to take on this role through a spirit of cooperation. Talk about a completely different approach from our North American leaders: one epitomizes collaboration and leadership, the other is an embarrassing example of weak leadership and co-dependency. I don’t have to tell you which is which.

While it’s not surprising to most of us that Mr. Harper does not care, it’s unbelievable just how much he has managed to erode our global reputation as trailblazers on a number of fronts, notwithstanding the climate change and environmental files. And so, on Thursday (just like clockwork) Harper announced that he would also be attending the Conference. A very muted response by our Prime Minister to what ought to be and IS considered the most vital (literally) issue of our time, both politically and personally.This would be a prime opportunity to raise his profile, to prove his commitments to climate change action (despite Kyoto being a socialist scheme) and start digging Canada out of this pitiful hole we have plummeted into under this Conservative government.

Alas, we are still playing catch-up, pretending we are just as “cool” as the U.S. We can sound like we’re in the in-crowd as long as we ride on the coat-tails of Barack Obama’s climate action plan. As Don Newman so simply puts it, Canada will do whatever the U.S. will do – the if-your-friend-jumps-off-a-bridge, you-should-too strategy. Real mature Scradley.

His plan is to reduce greenhouse gas levels in the U.S. by 2020 to 17 per cent below what they were in 2005. Other than suggesting a “cap and trade” system, in which polluters could buy and sell emission credits from each other, the details of the Obama plan have been scarce.

However, that proposal fits closely with the approach that the Harper government has been planning to take. And that is the way the Conservative government wants it.

After coming to office as global warming skeptics, the Conservatives now say that Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions will be curbed by 20 per cent from 2006 levels by 2020. And a cap and trade system with the United States is part of their plan, too.

In fact when you come right down to it, whatever the United States wants to do is part of the Canadian plan.

When they were in opposition, the Conservatives resisted Canadian ratification of the Kyoto protocol. They said its adoption would put Canada at a competitive disadvantage with the U.S., because the Bush administration was not going along.

Now, with Obama ready to adopt greenhouse gas standards, the Harper government understands that Canada will have to do the same.

Particularly if U.S. legislators enact penalties on countries with less restrictive regimes — much like some in the EU are threatening to do.

The problem Harper still faces is that imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but it is just barely enough for other participating countries. This is still giving far too much credit to Harper for bringing forth a very superficial climate action plan and intent for legislation. In fact, we’ve impressed our sister-nations so much so that they are seeking our suspension from the commonwealth family!

Harper is fearless. Or should I say more concerned with short term political gains and the Conservative Economic Action Plan. He may be able to ignore calls for action away from home, but could he really give his fellow Canadians the cold shoulder too? Yes. Don’t worry Harper, you have no responsibility to listen to the cries of woe from the very people who elected you to the highest office in the land. Forget about these guys too.

As Jack Layton said today in the House of Commons Question Period, Stephen Harper may as well not go since all we will receive is a slew of Fossil Awards. If only we could be more Quebec.