Sunday, May 22, 2011

Peak Oil and Climate Change: VIDEOS


Some of the most useful docs on the topics. (In english, or subtitles)



CLIMATE 101 from The Climate Reality Project on Vimeo.
A nice, easy to understand, entertaining, under 5 min. doc explaining climate change.  With experiments!  Even my 10 year old gets this one... 

300 Years of FOSSIL FUELS in 300 Seconds:





The Denial Machine (WATCH Video) investigates the roots of the campaign to negate the science and the threat of global warming. It tracks the activities of a group of scientists, some of whom previously consulted for Big Tobacco, and who are now receiving donations from major coal and oil companies. A short version of similar material is called DOUBT, shown here.


   

The Denial Machine shows how fossil fuel corporations have kept the global warming debate alive long after most scientists believed that global warming was real and had potentially catastrophic consequences. It shows that companies such as Exxon Mobil are working with top public relations firms and using many of the same tactics and personnel as those employed by Phillip Morris and RJ Reynolds to dispute the cigarette-cancer link in the 1990s. Exxon Mobil sought out those willing to question the science behind climate change, providing funding for some of them, their organizations and their studies.

The Denial Machine also explores how the arguments supported by oil companies were adopted by policymakers in both Canada and the US and helped form government policy.

The Ingenious Ways We Avoid Believing in Climate Change: In this highly entertaining and accessible presentation at the University of the West of England, George Marshall, founder of the Climate Outreach Information Network summarises some of our current understanding of the psychology of climate change- why it is so hard to accept and how can we help people to accept it?

In Part Three, the final Part he looks in details and the mechanisms by which we reject information on climate change and the images that express collective denial.



In this second part of three he looks at the story lines and imagery around climate change formed, how environmentalists and the imagery of polar bears have dominated the discourse, and asks why human rights organisations talk more about ice cream than climate change.




And now, the actual science!  How it works, what's behind the data, and what non-scientists need to know if they want to help understand and not hinder the process.





Andrew Nikiforuk's speech at IdeaCity, 2007

And the video of his speech THE COST OF OIL on MAY 10, 2011 IN TERRACE, BC

Statistics and pics specifically relating to the Alberta Tarsands, the environment surrounding it, the pollution, the method. Very useful for activists in BC, Alberta, and around the world.




Witness: To The Last Drop - The effects of the Alberta Tar sands on the earth, the political climate, and the citizens of Fort Chip.  Very first independant non-government assessments. Gov't still claiming toxins are naturally occuring.




Richard Heinberg's Peak Oil - Quick version and Peak Everything Part One.  Energy profits for humans and how that is essential to our civilizations.  What's happening now and predictions for the future.



The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil:
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call "The Special Period." The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope.



Resilience (English) from LifeMosaic on Vimeo.

How aboriginal peoples around the world can use their traditional laws and culture to be more resilient to climate change.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Some Highlights of the Campaign Trail - 2011


This was my busiest campaign ever, and I was always out and about. I did so many interviews with the press, and yet there was almost no mention of me in any type of media. And there is only four of us! And I'm the only woman! They seemed to go out of their way not to even suggest there was a Green candidate running in this riding, much less my name or anything else about me. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying... The lack of coverage and acknowledgement was very disappointing, but I'm thrilled to represent the Greens in Edmonton East. Here are some of highlights, with links to more pics and info.


April 13 - BPW Women in Politics Night!

Business and Professional Women's Club of Edmonton - Women in Politics Night. Had a chance to network and chat after the Q&A, too! 20% of ticket sales donated to the YWCA's One Woman One Vote initiative.

April 18: Elizabeth May & Georges Laraque @ EcoBall!

Green Rally, Vegan Potluck, Earth Week EcoBall!  My full post on that visit is here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 21 - M.E. LaZerte Cultural Festival


Up to 1500 students and 120 staff members partake in this event. Among many groups of students, 17 countries are represented to prepare and serve ethnic food as well as cultural performances. I love Bollywood! All I can do is traditional bellydance, but I certainly felt like shakin' it...

All the candidates from Edmonton East were there, but only Goldring got to give a speech. Made up some excuse about his foreign work or something making his qualified to speak.. Then he left. Really, they were hoping to embarrass him into agreeing to a forum, which is why we all were came, but he doesn't *do* those, doncha know, and easily evaded that invitation...

April 25 - Wrecking Ball

Live theatre, with abundant use of the f-word and Harper roasting, Vote Rappers, and a forum! All packaged in a box.. I can see why Goldring only showed up for 10 min., pronounced it "disgusting" and left in a huff, though. It *was* pretty funny... I choose to think that absolutely no mention of Elizabeth means that everyone loves her and no one wants to make fun of her, especially since she was just in that very theatre the week before!

I was there all evening talking to constituents and watching the performances, and I was the only rep of Edmonton East on the forum, but the press chose not to mention the fact... It's enough to try one's patience. Though they gave Linda Duncan and Louis Cardinal lots of air time...

April 28 - Wave by on 118th. Ave


I love waving at the cars! So many wave back and honk their support. Really helps raise the spirits during a long campaign...

During a rainy, cold evening, too. Shoulda planned that a bit better...

 

 

 

April 30 - Edmonton Vote Mob


Captian Canuck!


Great energy!  About 100 ppl, even more than Calgary, I heard! We had lots of interest, and honking, and did we make some noise!

I and my campaign manager were there for the whole Vote Mob. We didn't get any press. Linda Duncan showed up to make a speech at the beginning, and got interviewed, then left. But they thanked her profusely for showing up... 

You can tell who's doing it for the Cause. Since we certainly aren't in this for the glamour and fame...   If we were, you can bet we'd be re-evaluating that strategy...
 

 

April 30 - Thrival Edmonton Festival


Organized by Make Poverty History and Dare to Care, featuring performers, bicycled-powered music (seen in the video), a clothing swap, and pay-it-forward food.  I need to get ahold of Music is a Weapon...

April 30 - Pride Centre Candidate Open House

It was originally scheduled as a forum, but Goldring wouldn't show up, through Con Laurie Hawn did... So we had an open house instead. The candidates and their people almost outnumbered the constituents! But a great time was had by all. I stayed 'til late, as usual...