Edging Forward by Ann Dale
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Chapter 2: Going Down the Wrong Rabbit Hole
May 30, 2015
The Climate Imperative
This chapter focusses on the disconnect between scientific evidence and government decision-making on climate change, drawing on lessons from the tobacco industry opposition to banning cigarette sales (many of the same scientists and lobbyists are also involved in the climate denial campaign). I also draw very briefly on the inability of the system to ban asbestos for so long. The solutions lie not in incremental change but in transforming current development paths, and many actors are already on this path. BC communities and the province are major innovators in climate actions on the ground.
Chapter Quote
“What lessons can we learn from this long-term denial of evidence to avoid staying down wrong rabbit holes too long in the future? There are complex vested interests in favour of maintaining the status quo, despite the scientific evidence, the augmenting consensus from civil society that we need to change, and the increasing sophistication of our use of Internet communication technologies (ICTs). These technologies are capable of accelerating the speed of knowledge take-up, of connecting diverse groups of people in novel ways and passing information on complex social issues more rapidly. What are some of the barriers that prevent us from quickly leaving dysfunctional rabbit holes? How can we accelerate the speed of the tipping points we are now seeing on climate change?” (pp. 35-36)
– Ann Dale, Edging Forward: Achieving Sustainable Community Development
Audio
May 25, 2015
The Current: Climate change ranked as second most important election issue
The Current (Producer). (2015, September 28). Climate change ranked as second most important election issue [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent
While pollsters, pundits and politicians consider the economy as the central issue of the 2015 Canadian Federal Election, Canadians ranked the environment and climate change as their number two concern.
The Biggest Story in the World: Keep it in the Ground, Episode 1
Panetta F., Phipps, J., Chance, A., Shabbir, N. & Hill, M. (Producers) (2015, March 12). Keep it in the Ground [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk/environment
The editor-in-chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, calls the team to arms and challenges them: can they find a new way to report on climate change? He outlines why this is the most important story in the world and why most of the fossil fuels we already know about need to be kept in the ground. Given six months, can they succeed to engage readers in a new way?
The Biggest Story in the World: An Angle, Episode 2
Panetta F., Phipps, J., Chance, A., Shabbir, N., Hill, M., Poulton, L. & Greenwell, L. (Producers) (2015, March 19). An Angle [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk/environment
Alan Rusbridger is looking for a new way to tell the story of climate change – but what does that actually mean?
The Biggest Story in the World: The Targets, Episode 3
Panetta F., Phipps, J., Chance, A., Shabbir, N. & Hill, M. (Producers) (2015, March 27). The Targets [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk/environment
The Guardian has decided to campaign for divestment, and take their assets out of fossil fuel companies, but who should they choose to target?
The Biggest Story in the World: The Risks, Episode 4
Panetta F., Phipps, J., Chance, A., Shabbir, N. & Hill, M. (Producers) (2015, March 27). The Risks [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk/environment
The climate change campaign has started. But is the Guardian prepared for what’s ahead?
The Biggest Story in the World: Economics, Episode 5
Panetta F., Phipps, J., Chance, A., Shabbir, N., Hill, M. & Greenwell, L. (Producers) (2015, April 20). Economics [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk/environment
Larry Elliot, the Guardian’s economics editor sets out to do something no economist has yet managed; to figure out the maths of keeping it in the ground. What would happen to the global economy and would we face a global recession?
Interview with Glaser on Climate Change
The Death of Science
Video
May 20, 2015
To Meat or Not To Meat
CRCResearch RRU. (2017, June 6). To Meat or Not To Meat [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/DtnUzThbi3A
Research shows that one of the most powerful steps you can take to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions is to become a vegetarian. However, many may consider this a drastic lifestyle change that they are not prepared to make. Cutting down your meat consumption can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Check out this video to learn more.
Food for Thought
CRCResearch RRU. (2014, December 3). Food for Thought [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/5NC5lwx9-X8
Created through a partnership between Community Research Connections and students of Royal Roads University’s Professional Communications program, this video is an illustration of food wastage in Canada and aims spurring thinking on how we can better use food resources. The video was produced as a part of the Solutions Agenda (http://crcresearch.org/solutions-agenda), a research project that thematically explores innovations for achieving sustainable communities.
CRCResearch RRU. (2013, October 18). To Meat or Not To Meat [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/9096bEobCow
This animation conveys the issues that arise from ‘the tragedy of the commons’ (Hardin, 1968), which is a situation of resource depletion and/or pollution generation through people acting in their own self-interest around a common good (i.e., the environment). The animation then shows that these issues of resource depletion and adapting to new environmental conditions can be addressed through cooperative solutions. This video complements research done through the Solutions Agenda project, a joint research initiative of Community Research Connections and the Sustainability Solutions Group, exploring the role of the cooperative model in sustainable community development.
CRCResearch RRU. (2013, May 21). The Bigger Picture [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/bA3xEeTw_bk
Created through partnership between Community Research Connections (crcresearch.org) and the University of Alberta, this animation explores the relationship between carbon footprints and income. Specifically, the video shares outcomes and ideas from research conducted by Kennedy, E.H., H. Krahn, and N.T. Krogman (2013, Egregious Emitters: Disproportionality in Household Carbon Footprints) examining this relationship in the context of individuals and households of Alberta. The video concludes with discussion on how individuals and communities can reduce carbon footprints (approached through a systems perspective) based on the research.
CRCResearch RRU. (2012, October 19). Inertia, Meeting the Climate Change Challenge (MC3) Video Series [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Hh004wJguC8
‘Inertia’ is the first in the video series on climate change produced by Community Research Connections (crcresearch.org) for the Meeting the Climate Change Challenge (mc-3.ca) research project. This animation portrays the political gridlock resulting from the debate on climate change, and how this gridlock can divert time and resources away from addressing global issues.
Following Carbon Dioxide Through the Atmosphere
Nasa Goddard. (2016, December 13). Following Carbon Dioxide Through the Atmosphere. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/syU1rRCp7E8
This video shows a new visualization from NASA’s supercomputers of carbon dioxide moving across the globe. The project uses a year’s worth of data from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite along with a weather model to create a time-lapse of carbon in the atmosphere.
Monica Araya: A small country with big ideas to get rid of fossil fuels
TED. (2016, June). Monica Araya: A small country with big ideas to get rid of fossil fuels. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/
Climate advocate Monica Araya explains how almost 100% of Costa Rica’s electricity comes from renewable sources. By abolishing the army in the late 1940s, Costa Rica could invest in hydro power, national parks, ecosystem services, and ecotourism.
Tony Fadell: The First Secret of Design is…Noticing
TED. (2015, March). Tony Fadell: The First Secret of Design is…Noticing. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/
As human beings, we get used to “the way things are” really fast. But for designers, the way things are is an opportunity … Could things be better? How? In this funny, breezy talk, the man behind the iPod and the Nest thermostat shares some of his tips for noticing — and driving — change.
The Guardian. (2016, November 29). David Attenborough on climate change: ‘The world will be transformed’ [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/
This 5-minute excerpt from the documentary In This Climate features several cultural figures discussing climate change. David Attenborough laments the tripling of the human population in recent years and the space that we take from the natural world in order to accommodate this increase.
Canadian Island Disappearing Due to Climate Change
The National. (2016, December 7). Canadian Island Disappearing Due to Climate Change. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/pZo-z1kKe5M
Rapid coastal erosion and increasing temperatures are among the most glaring impacts of climate change on Lennox Island, a small community on the coast of PEI.
Academic Articles
April 15, 2015
Newell, R., & Dale, A. (2015). Meeting the climate change challenge (MC3): The role of the internet in climate change research dissemination and knowledge mobilization. Environmental Communication, 9(2), 208-227. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/
April 10, 2015
Assualt on batteries: The race to move beyond lithium-ion. (2016, November 24). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Borenstein, S. (2016, September 28). Earth is the warmest it has been in 120,000 years, and CO2 levels have passed symbolic 400 ppm threshold. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/
Breaking the habit: The future of oil. (2016, November 26). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
The Canadian Press. (2018, April 11). Marine heat waves are lasting longer and hitting more often, research shows. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/
Carrington, D. (2018, April 11). Gulf Stream current at its weakest in 1,600 years, study shows. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/
Climate change: Hot and bothered. (2015, November 28). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Cleaner than though: More solar power hurts nuclear energy. But it also hurts itself. (2018, September 8). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Climate change: It’s getting hotter. (2015, October 3). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
De Souza, M. (2016, August 25). Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre calls for suspension of Energy East hearings over Charest affair. National Observer. Retrieved from http://www.nationalobserver.com/
Doing it their way: Where India and China’s energy consumption is heading. (2016, November 24). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Facing the Change: 50% of Lennox Island, P.E.I., could be underwater in 50 years. (2016, September 11). CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/lennox-island-pei-water-ocean-sea-levels-1.3756916
Fisheries: Drawing the line. (2015, September 3). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Franta, B. (2018, January 1). On its 100th birthday in 1959, Edward Teller warned the oil industry about global warming. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/
Fraser, S. (2017, March 21). World saw record temperatures in 2016 — and it’s getting warmer: study. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/climate-change-record-temperatures-1.4034449
Fraser, S. (2016, August 10). Lennox Island looks to expand reserve beyond original borders. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-lennox-island-band-1.3714255
From oiloholics to e-totallers: The coming revolution in transport. (2016, November 24). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Global warming: In the red. (2016, May 28). The Economist. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com
Greenstone, M. & Sunstein, C. (2016, December 15). Donald Trump Should Know: This Is What Climate Change Costs Us. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/
Guarino, B. (2016, November 23). At least 4 dead, hundreds sickened in Australia asthma attacks triggered by thunderstorm. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
Harvey, F. (2017, December 21). Devastating climate change could lead to 1m migrants a year entering EU by 2100. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/
Harvey, C. (2017, April 3). These stunning time lapse photos may just convince you about climate change. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Heading for the twilight: When oil is no longer in demand. (2016, November 24). The Economist. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com
Howard, C. & Meili, R. (2016, August 10). Doctors Are Proving Climate Change Is A Health Risk. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/canada-whats-working/
If all else fails. (2015, November 26). The Economist. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com
If you can’t stand the heat. (2015, November 28). The Economist. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com
Knapton, S. (2017, September 26). The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Lucas, C. (2016, August 9). Nobody can buy the silence of a climate spinning out of control. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com
McDonald, Bob. (2017, May 5). Big science for refreezing the Arctic ice cap. CBC. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/
McKie, R. (2017, March 4). How disappearing sea ice has put Arctic ecosystem under threat. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/
McClearn, M. (2018, March 14). Risings seas and climate change: Everything you need to know. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Mooney, C. (2017, December 6). The most acurate climate change models predict the most alarming consequences, study finds. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Mooney, C. (2017, November 13). Fossil fuel emissions to reach an all-time high in 2017, scientists say, dashing hopes of progress. The National Post. Retrieved from http://nationalpost.com/
Mortillaro, N. (2017, November 13). More than 15,000 scientists from 184 countries issue ‘warning to humanity’. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/
Neslen, A. (2016, December 9). ECB’s quantitative easing programme invests billions in fossil fuels. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/
O’Harrow, R. (2017, September 5) A two-decade crusade by conservative charities fueled Trump’s exit from the Paris climate accord. Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
Oil companies and climate change: Nodding donkeys. (2015, November 14). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com
On the oil wagon: A tricky time for oil producers. (2016, November 26). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com
Page, H. (2018, February 6). Opinion: Wetlands are dissapearing fast. Urgent action is required. Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from https://vancouversun.com/
Personal transportation: Uberworld. (2016, September 3). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com
Plummer, B., & Popovich, N. (2017, December 14). How Global Warming Fueled Five Extreme Weather Events. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/
Plummer, B., & Popovich, N. (2017, November 6). Here’s How Far the World Is From Meetings Its Climate Goals. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/
Pollution in the Great Lakes: Evil orbes. (2015, August 8). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com
Rice, D. (2018, May 5 ). Earth’s carbon dioxide levels reach highest point in 800,000 years. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/
Rich, N. (2018, August 1 ). Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/
Santer, B. (2017, July 5 ). I’m a climate scientist. And I’m not letting trickle-down ignorance win. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
Schmitz, O. (2017, January 20). Sustaining a High-Tech Economy Using Inspiration from Nature. Scientific American. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/
Schwartz, J. (2017, August 10). Sutdents, Cities and States Take the Climate Fight to Court. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/
Short lived climate pollutants: Low-hanging dirt. (2015, October 3). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Skating on thin ice: The thawing Arctic threatens an environmental catastrophe. (2017, April 29). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Steelmaking in rich countries: A corrosive climate. (2016, January 30). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Taken to task: How to deal with worries about stranded assets. (2016, November 24). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
Thacker, P. (2018, September 12). Scientists know plastics are dangerous. Why won’t the government say so? The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Thurton, D. (2016, March 29). Inuvialuit develop plan to combat erosion, retreating ice caused by climate change. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/inuvialuit-develop-climate-change-plan-1.3508467
Uber: From zero to seventy (billion). (2016, September 23). The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/
University of British Columbia. (2016, September 7). Future fisheries can expect $10 billion revenue loss due to climate change. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/
WHO. (2017) The cost of a polluted environment: 1.7 million child deaths a year, says WHO [News Release]. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/pollution-child-death/en/
Zerehi, S. S. (2016, April 18) New report outlines climate change challenges on Canada’s Arctic coast. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/report-impact-climate-change-arctic-coastline-1.3540707
Other Interesting Stuff
April 5, 2015
Columbia Institute. (2017). Jobs for Tomorrow: Canada’s Building Trades and Net Zero Emissions. Retrieved from http://columbiainstitute.ca/resources/jobs-tomorrow
Schmidt, G. A. & Arndt, D. (2017). NOAA-NASA, Annual Global Analysis for 2016: 2016 was third successive record-warm year. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/