Season 3 of Creative Solutions for a New World launched January 13th, 2021 with policy experts, Bob Sandford and Jon O’Riordan, uncovering the systemic challenges to reach carbon neutrality and a review of national and local policies currently being considered in Canada and BC with the call for stronger and more immediate action; leading US political analyst, Mace Rosenstein, illuminating how the new administration in the US will tackle carbon neutrality and its global implications; Charlene George, a member of the t’Sou-ke peoples and a cultural guide, sharing how we can better balance our relationship with each other, Western and Indigenous knowledge systems, and ways of knowing; Kathy Code of the Ecoforestry Institute Society demonstrating how a shift to nature-based approaches to managing our forests, agriculture and soils will not only increase carbon storage, but generate more jobs than current industrial based practices; and 15 year-old climate activist, Grace Sinats, providing an insightful preview of how youth can make a huge difference in charting the road forward to carbon neutrality.
“What a wonderful session. Always so heart-warming and encouraging. In these dark moments when we may despair of seeing a better world ahead, your team of optimists lift our eyes, and like Charlene (who was just outstanding) create circles. And to Grace the shining face of the sustainable future which we all must create, my blessings for her cheery demeanour and expressive commitment.” – Dr. Timothy O’Riordan
Additional Q&A
Q. I’ll be interested in how to engage climate-denialists and the alt-right / QAnon types that we have seen in action in recent days in the USA. I suspect this is broader than the “Engaging Communities” session in the series.
A. Jon O’Riordan: The most important response is always to tell the truth and back it up with scientific verified information.
Q. What do you recommend for individuals and families relative to their purchasing carbon offsets?
A. Jon O’Riordan: Generally buying carbon offsets is an inferior alternative to direct reduction in carbon by changing behaviour or switching to low carbon technology. However, purchasing offsets can be better than taking no action on carbon reduction. It is best to ensure that the offset is verified by an independent third party and not just a claim by the seller of the carbon producing service.
There are various websites which will provide independent verification of a proposed carbon offset.
Q. Arctic thaw releases methane, doesn’t it? (not carbon).
A. Bob Sandford: I hope I am not misunderstanding your question. I think you are asking if the methane is different than carbon dioxide – and it is, but both are, just like all life on Earth, carbon based. As you will see in this illustration there are two oxygen atoms stably attached to a carbon atom hence carbon dioxide.
Because hydrogen is so light, four molecules can attach themselves to a carbon atom to form methane. It is these four hydrogen atoms that make methane so flammable and so desirable for heating.
You probably know this, but methane is a major component of what we often refer to as natural gas, a naturally occurring hydro-carbon–gas
It must also be noted that methane, depending upon the extent its source and where in the atmosphere it becomes concentrated can have been 60 and 200 times the greenhouse effect as carbon dioxide. Fortunately, it remains in the atmosphere for far less time than carbon dioxide
Q. Can you attach the stats you are mentioning?
A. Mace Rosenstein: The statistics regarding U.S. emissions reductions in 2020 were derived from this analysis by Rhodium Group. Their report can be found here: https://rhg.com/research/preliminary-us-emissions-2020/
Q. In terms of logging, Premier Horgan has created a false dichotomy between Indigenous peoples who want to protect their territory, and Indigenous peoples who want to engage in “sustainable” forestry. He is implying that current logging practices are sustainable, when they so demonstrably are not. Can you speak specifically to that false dichotomy?
A. Jon O’Riordan: The Premier has specifically stated that his government is committed to the principles under the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) leading to informed consent. Accordingly he will undertake government to government discussions on the future of forests including the importance of protecting old growth trees in forthcoming consultations.
Q. What does the “EARTH CHARTER” and the more recent “TERRA CARTA” have to contribute lessening climate changes and increasing biodiversity?
I think it was Bob who referred to an “existential crisis” we are in the midst of and how do we “vote” our way through it?
A. Bob Sandford: Published in 2000, the Earth Charter, is a declaration of fundamental ethical principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st Century. It was published before UN Member States adopted the Transforming Our World global sustainable development goals in 2015, which are held to be a blueprint for effectively achieving the aspirations of the Earth Charter. The Terra Charter is more recent. Launched by Prince Charles in January of 2021, it essentially appeals to the world’s CEOs to guarantee the rights of nature in capitalism. Both of these charters have and will contribute in their own way, and by their own avenues, to achieving the sustainable development goals by slowing, moderating and then hopefully reversing the impacts climate change and, while nothing can increase biodiversity, they can make sure that more is not lost and what we have is protected and, by way of a global restoration imperative, regenerated wherever possible.
If we are in the midst of an “existential crisis,” how we can “vote” our way through it. Before we get to the voting, may I suggest that the first way to address what has become a global crisis of biodiversity-based, planetary life system collapse is to engage as much as you can where you have the great potential to affect change, and that is in the community in which you live. In terms of voting, my I suggest we all listen to the youth representatives who have appeared regularly on the Creatively United Webinar. They are not afraid to call out politicians and political candidates for offering false equivalencies between the economy and the crisis of sustained human presence on this planet. All need to be as clear-sighted and as brave as Greta Thunberg has been on the global stages and as articulate and courageous as Grace Sinats, Emma-Jane Burien, Kylan Glass, Jamie Hunter, Ella Kruus, Samantha Lin, Julia Zirnhelt and Rebecca Hamilton have been in Canada.
Additional Links
Additional links Seeing Through The Watcher’s Eyes ~ Between the Worlds on Sierra Club BC: https://sierraclub.bc.ca/watcherseyes/
Grace Sinats: https://twitter.com/GSinats