Climate Cafe: Climate Change Conversations

Sourcemap puts amazing tools into the hands of citizens

celes — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:24:09 +0000

Today I was absolutely delighted to discover Sourcemap (via David Suzuki’s Facebook post about new tools for social and environmental responsibility). This is something for teachers, ordinary citizens, tourism operators, and business owners to use to discover visibly the supply chain and the carbon footprint associated with some of the important events in our life. I like the opening line of the video – Have you ever wondered where things come from?

Today, more than ever, this is important as our population climbs from 6.7 billion towards 9 billion and the inevitable decisions we will have to make about food supplies, carbon emissions, and water resources.

Let’s say you wanted to plan a wedding, or a BBQ, or an event. This remarkable tool enables you and your group to make some simple decisions about how to lower your carbon footprint. We have needed something like this to help us make and communicate our decisions in ways that lower our overall carbon and ecological footprint. Have fun with this tool! Your eyes will pop at how easy it is to use and apply….

Getting Started with Open Supply Chains from Matthew Hockenberry on Vimeo.

Thom Yorke: climate activism is bringing pressure on Gov’ts

Todd Lucier — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:46:25 +0000

The Radiohead frontman is changing the way his band does business in a bid to be sustainable. He is in Copenhagen to support an Age of Stupid event and answered questions in a media scrum.

Riding Mountain Parkway provides muse for state of planet and climate change

celes — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:48:22 +0000

I was traveling up the Riding Mountain National Parkway this morning to Dauphin, Manitoba today to meet with local partners to plan a number of unique cultural experiences that will be part of new programs that we (Earth Rhythms) is providing for travelers to Manitoba. As I headed up the highway, watching moose along the parkway, I felt a tightness in my stomach.

As a tourism business owner, photographer, and parent, I am concerned that we are at Day 10 in the Copenhagen Talks and we see little progress among nations to any kind of consensus or agreement. I see a need for governments to get past self-interests and a selfish pre-occupation with protecting their own deep-pocketed oil and gas lobby groups, and to set targets for reduced emissions (350ppm), to address the financial support that is necessary from developed countries to help developing countries suffering from climate change already, and to begin the process of collaboration, not insulation.

As I was traveling north, I listened to Anna Maria Tremonti interviewing Dr. James Hansen, the head of the Goddard Space Centre and the leading global scientist on climate change. I learned several things – about how important the 350 ppm target is and why; why cap and trade is not what is needed – rather a carbon tax (which of course is un-popular with any government) is a better choice, and the science of climate change (which is unaffected by Climate Gate). Regardless of what your beliefs might be about climate change or global warming, it is important to be aware of what the science is showing us. How we respond is based

I think that you will find this a most educational interview. Listen up….We have a long way to go to get to 350ppm.

Click on The Current below for a link to the CBC interview

How can a city change to Low Carbon – Copenhagen story

Todd Lucier — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:37:10 +0000

Citizens of the World Send Clear Message in Copenhagen

Todd Lucier — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:59:52 +0000

The Truth about ClimateGate

Todd Lucier — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:41:47 +0000

Canada’s image is Tarred

Todd Lucier — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:53:07 +0000

Canada once again triumphed as Fossil of the Day at the opening day of the Copenhagen Climate Meetings.
Canada’s Jim Prentice says that the award simply recognizes our countries efforts to look after our own needs first and Prime Minister Stephen Harper says, “Negotiators for Canada are there to represent the interests of Canada, not the interests of Mali.”

Canada’s Tar Sands – at the Center of our Poor International Standing at Climate Negotiations

Todd Lucier — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:30:11 +0000

Climate Justice Fast! is an international hunger strike taking place since the 6th of November 2009 to call for strong, just action on the climate crisis.
I am humbled by the brave efforts of those who are making a statement on the importance of Copenhagen with Climate Justice Fast
Climate Justice Fast!, has now entered it’s fourth week. Seven climate activists are now on day 23 of their water-only strike. These are: Anna Keenan, Micheal Morphett and Paul Connor (AUS), Diane Wilson, Mikayla Irle and Chuck Burns (USA), and Sara Svensson (SWE).

Daniel Lau (AUS) is now on day 16 of his strike, and Matthieu Balle (FRA), is on day 8.

The business advantage – acting on climate change

celes — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:51:19 +0000

We’ll bring you quick snaps and video and other tips as the next few weeks of Climate negotiations at COP15 with more than 90 countries from around the world begin to grapple with setting emissions targets, setting up a global fund for mitigating climate change impacts, and many other global actions.

Here is a good video that brings the vision of corporate executives and game-changers to the fore. Businesses that change their operating policies to mitigate climate change and reduce their carbon footprints will also be the beneficiaries of a major economic fortunes.

To attend COP-15 or Not

Todd Lucier — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:17:39 +0000

There are so many things happening in the world, but only one seems to matter. The meetings in Copenhagen from December 8-18 are the last great hope for a binding Climate agreement and although many have lowered expectations recently, the importance of these negotiations cannot be overstated.

I hope to bring live reports of happenings in Copenhagen describing Canada’s political impact on the treaty and the ramifications for the Canadian economy with live blogging here and on-air reports with CBC Radio in northern Ontario.

Since Prime Minister Harper has agreed to attend along with other world leaders hopes have been raised significantly that the climate summit in Copenhagen will result in a meaningful political agreement.

I hope to have confirmation of my media credentials in the next few days. Ten days and counting.