Climate Change Solutions for Leaders
May 7, 2021 10:00am
(GMT -7:00) Pacific Time
Event URL: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/climate-change-solutions-for-leaders-tickets-143336155299
Cost: Free
Four Fridays in May 2021:Climate Change Solutions for Leaders
Webinar Series
Hosted by
SFU, Faculty of Environment, Professional Programs and PartnershipsSPEC, Society for Environmental ConservationWith funding from Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS)
May 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th
10:00AM - 11:15AM
On-line via Zoom
Join emerging climate action leaders to explore a solutions oriented and creative communications approach to climate action. The series is offered over four sessions in May, once a week. You will hear stories from the frontlines of GHG emissions reduction in transportation, energy conservation, green streets and waste reduction. You will learn what engagement strategies work, how the project narrative is shaped and reflect on lessons for your own community-based climate action. Handout materials will be provided for each session.
Hosted by
Joanna Ashworth, Faculty of Environment, SFU;
Oliver Lane, Executive Director, SPEC;
and Tara Mahoney, GEN WHY Media.
Format for Each Session:
- Welcome and Context Setting – Creative Communication + Community Assets = Climate Action;
- Case Examples from Vancouver and other communities.
- Small Group Breakouts for discussion;
- Reflections from local practitioner or issue expert
- Plenary Debrief – Implications for Action.
Program Outline:Sector of Focus + Creative Communications + Community Assets = Climate Solutions Leadership
Why focus on energy conservation, active transportation, waste reduction and green streets in this series? These sectors are identified as sites for the “big moves” needed in urban centres to significantly reduce GHG emissions. Many cities have identified these domains in their climate emergency agenda: i.e., energy efficiency and renewable energy in buildings, active transportation, waste reduction and protecting and enhancing green streets.
Why focus on climate narratives and cases? Research has shown that providing a vision of a low-carbon future is inspiring and empowering. Fear of the impacts of climate change is paralyzing without creating opportunities for efficacy and agency. We want to show participants viable solutions that embody the desired future, e.g., zero carbon, zero waste, active transportation and green streets initiatives that are happening now -- and make these models visible and accessible so that we can learn from them about creative communications, climate narratives, and collaborative leadership.
What is the role of research? This series will integrate communications theory, environmental science and draw on specific research insights from urban planning, resource management, ecological restoration, and energy policy. Community initiatives such as the ones that will be highlighted in this series will be used as “springboards” for deeper conversations. The cases presented represent innovative practices that are effectively responding to GHG emissions in particular sectors. The cases provide experience-based learning for the participants to explore, analyze and see the application to climate solutions that they are developing in the community.
May 7 Session 1 - Energy conservation/transition
Practitioner/issue expert: Rose Murphy Post-Doctoral Fellow, Faculty of Environment, SFU
Case examples:
- Co-op Power: A consumer-owned sustainable energy cooperative within a regional network energy cooperatives based in Massachusetts. They are working to create a multi-class, multi-racial movement for a sustainable and just energy future.
- Dogwood’s Local Power Campaign: A BC-based campaign that engages the public in advocacy and education for community-driven energy projects.
- Cool Neighbourhoods is a community-based program launched by North Shore residents (Cool North Shore) that fosters community engagement to support homeowners in reducing and conserving energy in their homes, understanding how simple changes affect their own lives and the world.
Discussion Questions:
- How could arts and culture be leveraged to make energy conservation/transition campaigns more visual, intersectional or visionary?
- How could food, relationships, or recreation be leveraged to target specific groups in energy conservation/transition?
- What are the existing networks and/or strategic alliances that could be leveraged to convene ‘unlikely bedfellows’ in energy conservation/transition engagement campaigns?
- What research would support this work?