Paws for Reaction

Showing posts with label global warming. Show all posts

Climate Reality Corps Leadership training in Colorado: A life changing experience

It's the beginning of a sustainable revolution

Climate Reality Corps Leadership training in Denver, Colorado 2017.

After a long day of flying I've returned to snowy Canada with a ClimateReality Project green ring, a certificate signed by formed Vice President Al Gore and most importantly; hope for the future. It's not always easy to remain hopeful in the face of climate change, especially after three days of being presented with scientific evidence and examples of climate related weather disasters. But had you been sitting where I was sitting (Table 2!) with a group of people from all walks of life and from all over the world, I think you would be hopeful that there is someone in your corner, eager to change the world!

The attendance at this year's training in Denver, Colorado was astounding. The last count that was presented to us was 972 people- 973 if you count baby Isabella! We had 60 Canadians. We all heard whisperings that 1200 applicants were not accepted, but I'm unsure if that's true. What's obvious is that in the current political climate people from all over the world recognized that if there was ever a time to take a chance and do this training, it's now.

Former Vice President Al Gore after taking a

photo with the 972 conference attendees.

I know many of you will have questions about the conference and the speakers- especially Al Gore. I was trained on how to present the very same scientific data that Gore uses in his slide shows- I now have access to those slide shows, so I can present them to you all! A good portion of the conference was teaching us the science that proves the cause and effects of climate change. Gore was engaging- at times hilarious- and very frank about the science and how to communicate with climate deniers. He led panel discussions with scientists, politicians and activists who are developing- and using- real world solutions today. Gore and a panel of scientists answered some of our questions and we at Table 2 were quite excited when our table’s question was asked. I viewed an exclusive clip of the upcoming An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power film. I will be promoting in the future, so stay tuned!

Something else happened while I was in Denver, something unexpected. I found just as much value in the connections I made with the other Climate Reality Corps Leaders in training as I did in the presentations. Some of them had already completed previous trainings and were returning to learn the most current information. Many, like me, were attending for the first time. But each and every one was a positive, encouraging voice that said "you are not alone."

Representing Canada on the Climate Reality Project stage.

The Climate Reality Project team went to great lengths to ensure that the conference was rooted in sustainability by using best practices in accordance to internationally recognized systems such as ISO 20121 and the APEX/ASTM green meeting standards. The meals were vegetarian and all food and drinks were sustainably sourced. Climate Reality Project ensured that the conference reduced its overall energy and water consumption, and offered composting and recycling for any waste we created! Our event materials were sourced locally and can all be recycled- although I don't see myself ever getting rid of my training book!

The Colorado Convention Center is an sustainability inspiration. The building holds many sustainability and green certifications. The Climate Reality Project team showed us a photo of the roof of the building- covered in solar panels. It's a LEED building, which is a green certification that is also available in Canada. I have to mention that the staff was incredible and I miss being greeted by Harold everyday.

Al Gore, Don Whittmore, Kevin Klein and Hilda Nucete during

panel On the front lines: Responding to climate impacts.

The energy trapped by man-made global warming pollution is now “equivalent to exploding 400,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs per day, 365 days per year.”[1] The “extreme” temperature events that used to cover 0.1% of the Earth, now cover 10%.[2] We are seeing the effects of climate change all over the world. It can be scary, but what I took from my training was an overwhelming sense of hope for the future. We are in the beginning of a sustainable revolution. After seeing Al Gore present the solutions that many countries are adapting, and seeing Colorado’s sustainable solutions first hand, I’m truly optimistic that the technology is available and affordable enough to get us to our Paris Climate Agreement goal. In January 2014, Ontario ordered the closing of its last remaining coal-fired power plant. We now have a cap and trade carbon tax in Ontario and I’m hopeful that Ontario will lead the way to a greener future.

Even though big changes are required to reduce the effects of climate change, small adjustments to every day living and consumer practices can still make an impact. Switching to LED light bulbs, shopping local, growing your own food and biking or walking are all great ways to make an impact. Why not make one of these small sustainable and green changes- no matter what you choose to believe about climate change? To the climate deniers out there I ask you this; what do you have to lose? Because if you are wrong in your opinion, then you would have everything to gain by making small changes in your life to live greener.

Day one of the training was exciting! The positive energy was so great

that we probably could have powered the Colorado Convention Center with it!

So why did I decide to do this? Part of it is a sense of urgency to protect and share climate science as Trump America begins to take on it's true form. Part of it is feeling like I'm so far away from groups taking action that I'm encouraged to take action myself.

Mostly it's about the untouched nature that I have experienced in the Ottawa Valley while exploring with dogs Hazel and Keira, and how it has returned to me this feeling of wonder and pride towards the Earth, and a need to live in harmony with it. To protect it.

I want to say thank you again to everyone that helped get me there, either by donating or providing me with moral support. I'm excited to give my first presentation and I ask anyone in the Ottawa Valley area to please reach out if you are interested in having me present Al Gore's climate change slideshow to your business, group or friends and family. Do you want to talk about climate change? Do you want to work collaborate on an event or initiative? Are you unsure about the science and want to talk more? I can be reached at pawsforreaction@live.ca and I encourage you to reach out!

[1] Source: James Hansen Former Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

[2] Source: NASA/GISS; Hansen, et al., “Perceptions of Climate Change,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 10.1073, August 2012

Climate 101 rally in Ottawa: 100 plus concerned citizens risk arrest to protest against Kinder Morgan Pipeline

Photo by Mark Klotz

Today in Ottawa, Ontario over a hundred students and concerned citizens gathered at Ottawa University to begin their protest and march against the Kinder Morgan Pipeline. They risk arrest and will brave the cold to raise awareness and demand Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stop the building of the pipeline. This comes on the heels of yesterday's rally in Los Angeles against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Canadian Pacific Coast is a diverse ecosystem full of marine life that will be as risk with the building of another tar sands pipeline. Drinking water and ground water contamination is a risk. Also at risk is the impact on global warming as we need to be putting less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere- not more. Justin Trudeau was to be a climate leader, but a carbon tax is not enough. The 2 degrees agreed upon in the Paris Agreement may not be enough. With all the money that has been invested in big oil and fossil fuels for years, it seems insane to not invest money into clean, sustainable energy. Denmark, Germany, Scotland and Ireland are all leading the pack when it comes to clean energy. Canada should be on that list as we have diverse ecosystems and vast spans of forest we need to protect.

Photo by Mark Klotz

There are some that still don't "believe" in climate change. I put believe in quotations because climate change is a fact: it's not a unicorn, it is not a religion that you can choose to believe or not. It is a fact that 97% of the world's scientists agree on- not only do they agree that it's happening, but they also agree that man's reliance and extensive use of fossil fuels is a main cause of the accelerated global warming. So while climate change deniers look at me like I'm the crazy one, you are denying the scientific facts. You are denying the same science that builds your cars, produced your medicine and that you rely on everyday. I refuse to stop talking about climate change, because when all is said and done at least I can say I never stopped trying. I never stopped talking about it. No matter how many people denied science and acted as though I'm some crazy activist trying to save the planet. The planet will still be here after we destroy it- it's our infant species that we are risking.

These incredible Canadians are out in the cold risking arrest for our future. What will you do for their future?

SIGN THE PETITION AND SEND A MESSAGE TO JUSTIN TRUDEAU AT 350 CANADA! CLICK EHRE!

#Climate101 #StopKM

A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

I was featured on Purr Podcast!

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL

Featured Post

Halloween Hazards: Vet approved tips to keep pets safe on the spookiest night of the year

I was featured on Purr Podcast!

POPULAR POSTS

Search This Blog

ASK A VET: Safe holiday tips & dog grooming trends

Blog Archive

CHECK OUT MY WORK!

SAFE PET ONTARIO

Contact Form

Translate

GALAXY SIZED FUN

DOG OWNER RESOURCES

Categories

PET OWNER RESOURCES

DO YOU HAVE A DISNEY DOG?

CAT OWNER RESOURCES

Total Pageviews

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Popular Posts

Trending Articles

A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

I was featured on Purr Podcast!

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL

Featured Post

Halloween Hazards: Vet approved tips to keep pets safe on the spookiest night of the year

Subscribe To Paws For Reaction

I was featured on Purr Podcast!

POPULAR POSTS

Search This Blog

ASK A VET: Safe holiday tips & dog grooming trends

Blog Archive

CHECK OUT MY WORK!

SAFE PET ONTARIO

Contact Form

Don't Forget To Subscribe!

Translate

GALAXY SIZED FUN

DOG OWNER RESOURCES

Categories

PET OWNER RESOURCES

DO YOU HAVE A DISNEY DOG?

CAT OWNER RESOURCES

Total Pageviews

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Popular Posts

Trending Articles