sustainability 3a

Interview: Amos White talks about his involvement with a group called 'Climate Emergency Mobilisation' (CEM). This group has brought together activists, political representatives, academics, religious groups and others to anticipate the consequences of climate change on the bay area, surrounding San Francisco. We also discuss how to build an environmental campaign and consider the challenge of raising public awareness so that there is 'healthy awareness' rather than negativity and panic. 

Interview: A fascinating conversation with Herb Behrstock who has many years experience with the UN. He explains how the environmental movement in California is mobilising communities to meet the challenge of climate change.

LINK to article

Discussion:  We review a recent BBC programme that looks at the events surrounding 'climategate'.  In 2009, hackers gained access to thousands of emails relating to the activities of the Climate Research Unit, University of East Anglian. The consequences of this event damaged the reputation of the Climate Research Unit and the fall-out from the scandal derailed negotiations at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit.

Discussion: We consider whether politicians are likely to take the radical action that is necessary to solve climate change.

Discussion: We review an article by Eugine Linden that appeared in The New York Times. It examines the reasons why climate scientists consistently failed to underestimate the dangers associated with global warming. The article shows how events that were previously believed to be unimaginable are now accepted as imminent threats.  We discuss recent evidence that shows how dramatic climate change can happen in a matter of years, not millennia as previously thought, and the implications that this has for all of us over the next few years.

Interview: Dr. Sanjen Miedzinski looks at how the individual can influence the transition to a low carbon economy. We consider the relationship between the financial sector and the fossil fuel industry and discuss  how the individual investor needs to protect their investments as the economy moves away from fossil fuels. 

Interview: Professor Leonard Joy considers the implications of an article by Jem Bendell entitled Deep Adaptation, a map for navigating climate tragedy.

The article considers the challenges facing society and the consequences of disruption caused by climate change. Deep adaptation refers to the scale of the response that will be required within our social and economic systems. 

Interview: Dr Simon Mair of The Centre for Environment and Sustainability, at The University of Surrey, considers whether a capitalist economy is capable of delivering environmentally sustainable growth.

A link to the article by Dr Simon Mair, in 'Resilience' is provided. (Click on Pdf)