ABCtech #49 21OCT15 Change is in the Air – but who to trust and Respecting the environment

ABCtech #49 21OCT15 Change is in the Air – but who to trust and Respecting the environment

Change is in the air – politically and environmentally. Over the past year we have seen the energy industry shaken, parties in power gone, and climate change emerge as THE issue of the century. Industrial giants such as VW know this well. In the coming months we will hear more about Climate Change as the world prepares for the international gathering in Paris.The following editorial by Mike Hanna of Synergy Canada and his associate – Don Eastcott, is refreshingly focused on values that should help guide an evaluation of pending public policies on climate change. Let us know your perspective. – Editor

Change Is In The Air – but who to trust?
    by Michael Hanna – Synergy Canada and Don Eastcott – Social Economic Philosopher

A grade six student in 2007 was running for student mayor in Edmonton.  He was making a campaign speech to his 500 classmates and showed a picture of the earth from space.  He directed the students to view the thin glow around the planet, “That thin glow is the atmosphere that protects our planet from space. It is about as thick as the lacquer on the globe in our classroom. We are not taking care of that atmosphere. If elected mayor, I will work to put a solar panel on the roof of our school. I know it will not solve the problem, but someone has to show leadership, and it can start at this school.” That grade 6 student demonstrated leadership, undoubtedly inspiring others that one person can have an impact.

Inspired by the foresight and wisdom of this 12-year old student, another student was asked at the end of the year, “What happened to their goal?” The student answered, “Bureaucracy!” and walked away. A hard lesson learned at the age of 12. If a 12-year old has the wisdom and insight to grasp that we have but one planet and can be energized to inspire a school, what can we do?

Any discussion regarding climate change must get beyond the man-made, artificial barriers of politics, profit, and polarizing blame.  Bureaucracy is but one barrier to change.  Even more daunting is the intractability of our own behaviour.

Do we accept that responsibility?  That is, are we respectful of our environment at the personal, local, provincial, national and international levels?  Before answering that question, ask whose life is currently being affected and whose future is in peril? How do we get action on the issue defining our generation? Is it reasonable to leave the decision-making to others, politicians, and the action to bureaucrats? … No?

• Climate change is touching every person in Alberta every day:
• Erratic weather, increasing storms from floods to droughts, every event costing each of us more;
• Air pollution from industrial smokestacks, forest fires, and planes, trains and automobiles;
• Crop failures, glaciers shrinking, water sources drying up;
• Food prices rising as production changes in response to changes in weather, energy and supply. The prices support costs such as transportation and the associated processing, packaging and handling costs.

The cost of climate change and the impacts of our behaviour on the environment are so large as to be incomprehensible. What can we do?  How do we decide? As for leadership, it is done WITH people not TO people. What vision and mission, policies and practices, will inspire environmentally responsible personal  behaviour? How do we cut through bureaucracy, vested public and private interests, and change seemingly intractable personal behavior? The task seems overwhelmingly complex, so much so as to frustrate and stop many of us in our tracks.

“What can I do?” becomes the obvious challenge. Will more rules from government bring about change? Who will step up, take action, and pay the price? A suggestion and challenge for everyone – innovators, technologists, politicians, bureaucrats, business people, individuals and families is to agree to follow a few shared principles and values. That is “change!” Consider …

Principles of Respect for Climate Change

1.  Respecting the environment. Decisions made now will impact future generations. We depend on the environment for everything we need to survive: the air we breath, the water we drink, the land and oceans from which we get food, nurturing all the material things we need to sustain our lives. Our respect for the environment is a barometer of our respect for others.

2.  Integrating environment, energy and economic policies. Government and industry are increasingly aware that they operate in a system of interdepency.  Policies in one area need to take into consideration their implications on other areas – energy, environment and the economy are interconnected and cannot be developed in isolation from one another or favouring one more than another.

3. Foster, support and sustain integrity. Integrity is “walking the talk”; telling the truth to oneself and acting upon it. Trust is earned and fragile, actions must match promises. Trust is the source of energy for change.

4. Inspiring personal change. People are consumers and employees, voters and shareholders – the decision-makers in organizations. Their behaviour is the prime source of impact on the environment, energy consumption and the economy; they are the drivers of organizational change, including democratic government.

Like the earth’s razor thin atmosphere that sustains us – trust sustains and energizes us all.

Our life line …

… is fragile

Events

“Creativity &     Convergence – Creating the new Alberta!” Conference – Nov. 30th, Downtown Campus – University of Calgary.

A unique assembly of 10 workshops and panels, focus groups and our “U-Who” reception for deriving resolutions advancing innovation and sustaining Alberta’s prosperity. FOR MORE  

Discounts apply for ABCtech members.

                Co-hosts:

 Alberta Council of Technologies 

Alberta College of Art+Design

“Leading in Challenging Times” CMC’s National Conference – Nov. 4-5th, Fantasyland Hotel, Edmonton.

Designed for business leaders and consultants that drive our economy. Extraordinary line-up of speakers and sessions for improving awareness, shaping attitudes, and identifying strategies to compete in a changing economic environment. . FOR MORE

“Energy Tech Forum” Oct. 27th, BMO Centre, Calgary.

Dedicated to driving a more efficient and competitive energy industry through the innovative use of digital technologies. FOR MORE  Discounts apply for ABCtech members.

“GeoAlberta is Social” 4:30-6:00pm Oct 27th, Delta Edmonton South

If you’re an Alberta company working on a project that supports technology innovation development, talk to us. Even if you don’t think you have a geospatial component to your business, we want to hear from you!  FOR MORE

Timely Articles

Gates Calls Divestment A `False Solution’ to Global Warming

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has called the fossil fuel divest-ment campaign a“false solution” to climate change and says the best way to decarbonize the global economy is by developing revolutionary renewable energy technologies. “We need an energy miracle,” Gates told The Atlantic magazine. “That may make it seem too daunting to people, but miracles in science are happening all the time.” Gates said he is pledging $2 billion of his foundation’s endowment to research and develop alternative energy technologies. He criticized the divestment movement for “using up (campaigners’) idealism and energy on something that won’t emit less carbon.” The Gates Foundation, the world’s largest charitable organization, has $1.4 billion invested in fossil fuel companies, and activists have been calling on Gates to sell those holdings.

TRACKING FUSION

ABCtech is a strong advocate for Alberta/Canada to establish a Directorate for ensuring Alberta is not stranded once the world transitions to nuclear fusion energy and resolving climate change. FOR MORE AND  MORE

Job Find

Experienced professional with advanced degrees in the life sciences and an MBA in technology commercialization. Excellent networking skills and proven track record in business development.  FOR MORE

Hardworking, flexible, and creative team player.  Background in Computing Science, Biological sciences, and Chemistry.  Seeking a corporate opportunity to express my creativity and passion for learning and discovery in Bio-/Chem informatics, Metabolomics, or a related field.  FOR MORE

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