In keeping with the “what really matters” theme, Creative Solutions for a New World Climate and the Arts Series explores how much Cold Matters in terms of the roles in which snow, ice and permafrost play in the stabilization of the global climate system.
United Nations University Global Water Future’s Chair and award-winning author, Bob Sandford, shares how winter snowfall extent, cover and duration impact water resources in Canada, and how important the Arctic is as a thermostat for weather not just in Canada but in the entire Northern Hemisphere. He concludes with observations on the climate risk posed by permafrost thaw and the need for cooperation among all of the circumpolar nations, but especially between Canada and Russia, in addressing that risk.
Dr. Thomas Axworthy, one of the architects of The Arctic Council, a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the Indigenous people of the Arctic, outlines concerns associated with accelerating permafrost thaw and its impact on northern peoples and cultures in Canada and throughout the Arctic. As well, he explores the cooperation needed within Canada and between Arctic nations that will be critical if we are to prevent the combined effects of sea ice loss, changes in the behaviour of the Northern Hemisphere Jetstream, and rapidly rising methane releases as a consequence of permafrost thaw from preventing Canada from achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
One of the most remarkable elements of the Global Water Future program is that it recognizes that art can make complex scientific issues relating to the value of water more compelling and understandable to the broader public.
Joining in this webinar is scientist and artist Dr. Louise Arnal, who together with her artist colleagues, Jennifer Baltzer, an expert on permafrost thaw, and Rhian Brynjolson, fuse art and science to portray changing climate circumstances in the Arctic in both Russia and Canada and make scientific research findings more understandable outside the climate science community. See the VirtualWaterGallery.ca, officially launching April 29, 2021.
In closing, there is a brief follow-on discussion on how the theme Truth Matters can be applied to the challenges posed by accelerating permafrost thaw and other climate threats led by Washington, DC lawyer, Mace Rosenstein and how we can use all the ways we have of knowing and caring to create the post-COVID world we want.
Join the launch of the Virtual Water Gallery featuring artworks created in conversation between artists, water experts, knowledge keepers, and the public to co-explore water challenges.
This event includes live French interpretation. The Virtual Water Gallery is funded by the Global Water Futures program.
Resources
Jon O’Riordan opening statement
Bob Sandford presentation
Additional Q&A
Q. It seems that climate change has momentum and deterioration continues even with CO2 reduction. How can we ensure that this is understood so that corrective measures are not doubted and abandoned?
A. Jon O’Riordan: Scientists have proven that CO2 will last in our atmosphere for centuries. This fact has to be understood by all citizens so that there is a collective will to bend the carbon curve. Unfortunately, even as humanity achieves new zero carbon emissions by mid Century, the climate will be at least 2C warmer ( likely even warmer) for centuries to come. This should not lead to despondency, but to reinforce that we must take action now otherwise there is be greater long lasting warming to the detriment of humanity and nature.
Q. Is the new Liberal approach to the Climate Crisis moving to a 36% cut by 2030 enough? If not what should the target be?
A. Jon O’Riordan: The target is not sufficient to ensure that Canada will reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Leading countries such as the EU have set a target of 55% reduction in carbon based on 1990 levels. Canada’s target is based on reductions from 2005 levels. Canada’s target of 36% becomes 27% reduction compared to 1990 baseline. The lower the reduction by 2030, the steeper the reductions have to be by 2050 to attain net zero. It is therefore much more cost efficient to reduce carbon now than later.
Q. Is there any way to get leverage on GAZPROM to leave the fossil fuels in the ground?
A. Tom Axworthy: Gazprom is a Russian state owned energy company, the largest company by revenue in Russia and one of the largest energy companies in the world. About 40 % of its gas reserves are located in the Yamal Peninsula. Oil and gas is the main driver of the Russian economy with Gazprom operating major projects like the Blue Stream pipeline to Turkey. and the proposed Nord Stream project to Germany (now nearly 95% completed).Russia has signed the Paris Agreement on climate change and promised major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 but, as in Canada, promises are one thing actions another. The Nord Steam project to Germany has been the subject of much debate with many calling on Germany to reject Gazprom’s pipeline to punish Russia for its actions against Ukraine but the project is nearly done and the possible leverage is now largely lost. Realistically, like other multinational energy companies, Gazprom will be sensitive to public opinion in its customers, especially Germany, but the main issue is how serious Russia is about climate change in its internal debate since oil and gas is central to its economy and its diplomacy.
Q. I have to ask if the art materials are petroleum based? With a phase out of fossil fuels, art makers must find sustainable ways to communicate. Changes in our set of living arrangements are so enormous, I wonder if this will be addressed in time.
A. Rhian Brynjolson: That is the kind of question we all need to be asking ourselves: What can I change about my life to cut out fossil fuels and reduce consumption? The artists in the Virtual Water Gallery are using a range of art materials. One of the artists is using sand and natural pigments. Some of us use oil paint with linseed oil, but the pigments and dryers can be highly toxic and are definitely not environmentally friendly. I generally use exterior acrylic house paint on canvas, and try to minimize the environmental impact by buying off-tints and remainders from the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. I’d be interested to hear how other artists are solving this dilemma.
Q. Are there simply too many people on this planet to sustain life? Is there a need for population control or reduction of the population to live within our limits?
A. Jon O’Riordan: The loss of permafrost in the Arctic is directly related to atmospheric warming from carbon based emissions and the relative increase in this warming in the higher latitudes. Clearly population growth, especially if it continues to produce excessive amounts of carbon will exacerbate warming and therefore methane release in the Arctic. Ideally, transformation to a net zero carbon future will even out economic inequities between developed and developing countries such that families overall will produce less children and stabilize our economy.