Cold Matters:
Our Arctic Connection |
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In keeping with the “what really matters” theme, the next webinar in the Creative Solutions for a New World Climate and the Arts Series on Wednesday, April 21st (11 am - noon PST) will explore how much Cold Matters in terms of the roles in which snow, ice and permafrost play in the stabilization of the global climate system. |
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United Nations University Global Water Futures Chair and award-winning author, Bob Sandford, will share how winter snowfall extent, cover and duration impact water resources in Canada, and how important the Arctic is as a thermostat for weather not just in Canada but in the entire Northern Hemisphere. He will conclude with observations on the climate risk posed by permafrost thaw and the need for cooperation among all of the circumpolar nations, but especially between Canada and Russia, in addressing that risk. Dr. Thomas Axworthy, one of the architects of The Arctic Council, a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the Indigenous people of the Arctic, will outline concerns associated with accelerating permafrost thaw and its impact on northern peoples and cultures in Canada and throughout the Arctic. As well, he will explore the cooperation needed within Canada and between Arctic nations that will be critical if we are to prevent the combined effects of sea ice loss, changes in the behaviour of the Northern Hemisphere Jetstream, and rapidly rising methane releases as a consequence of permafrost thaw from preventing Canada achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. One of the most remarkable elements of the Global Water Futures program is that it recognizes that art can make complex scientific issues relating to the value of water more compelling and understandable to the broader public. Joining in this webinar will be Dr. Louise Arnal, who is both a scientist and an artist, who together with her artist colleagues fuse art and science in the Virtual Water Gallery, officially launching on April 29th. In her session, Dr. Arnal will introduce artists who are building bridges between Canada and Russian with their portrayals of changing climate circumstances in the Arctic of both countries. She will then introduce an expert on permafrost thaw and an artist with whom she works directly with to make scientific research findings more understandable outside the climate science community. In closing, there will be a brief follow-on discussion on how the theme Truth Matters can be applied to the challenges posed by accelerating permafrost thaw and other climate threats will be led by Washington, DC lawyer, Mace Rosenstein. Join us for this celebration of how we can use all the ways we have of knowing and caring to create the post-COVID world we want. |
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Deadline Looming to Save 49-Acre Forest |
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April's Featured Artist and Hotel Package |
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The April 22nd (Earth Day) deadline is fast approaching to save this precious wildlife rich ecosystem and see it become a park. More than 1000 individual donations with a value of $624,000 has been raised, a record-breaking response that is helping this campaign pick up steam now when it is most needed. Creatively United and the Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) have teamed up to provide a fabulous fundraising opportunity for donors to be entered to win a prize package of a two-night stay at the beautiful Oswego Hotel, located in the heart of Victoria, BC, plus a stunning b&w photograph, pigment ink on cotton rag paper from solarized Polaroid 55PN film negative (15x11.5'' - matted to 24x20'' - ready for framing), by internationally acclaimed Vancouver Island-based photographer, David Ellingsen. David's images speak to the relationship between humans and the natural world and is intensely focused on documenting the ways biodiversity loss and deforestation are affecting our environment. His photographs are exhibited internationally and are part of the permanent collections of the Chinese Museum of Photography, South Korea’s Datz Museum of Art and Canada’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum and Royal British Columbia Museum. They have been shortlisted for Photolucida’s Critical Mass Book Award, appeared with National Geographic, and awarded First Place at the Prix de la Photographie Paris and the International Photography Awards. As a freelance assignment photographer, Ellingsen worked with clients such as the New York Times Magazine, Business Development Bank of Canada, Canadian Medical Association, Oprah Winfrey Network, People magazine and CBC Radio Canada. More of David's work can be found on his website and Instagram. For details, and to make a tax deductible donation, please visit www.mountainroadforest.ca |
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Energy, Housing & Transportation Matters |
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What specific actions can we all take to lower our carbon footprint and save money? We explore answers to this question and many others. Learn practicable and achievable actions that can move us along the road to carbon neutrality. Jo Hand, co-founder of Giki Social Enterprise - creators of digital products to help people live sustainably, is joined by Dr. Tim O’Riordan, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, and President of the Norfolk Association of Local Councils, connecting all 722 Parish Councils in Norfolk encouraging citizens to reduce their individual carbon footprints by ‘Save a Tonne in ’21’. Jo Hand demonstrates the Giki carbon tracking site and how actions such as changing your diet to more plant based foods; eliminating one of your family cars; improving your home insulation, can be measured to get you to saving a tonne in '21. She will also show how corporations are using a special version of the site to move towards carbon neutrality by 2050. Todd Litman, founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transport problems, demonstrates how integrated policies, such as smart city planning, can conveniently bring people to their destinations virtually carbon free. His research is used worldwide in transport planning and policy analysis. Sandi Goldie and Jim Bronson are educators working with hundreds of people to implement specific projects which will reduce their carbon footprints. They are enthusiastic Drawdown facilitators who walk their talk. They share their personal experience with a new co-housing project they are involved with. To learn more about their Drawdown courses, please visit BCDrawdown.org, plus watch the TEDx video Creatively United collaboratively produced with them this past year. |
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About Creatively United & Our Community Partners |
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The Creatively United for the Planet Society is a registered non-profit society. Since 2012, we have brought together more than 10,000 people from throughout the region who care about happy, healthy, and resilient communities. We have done so through eight zero-waste sustainability showcases, numerous community events and educational talks, collaborative partnerships, a video series, and the CreativelyUnited.org free community information network, resource and solutions sharing hub. The Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, supported by The Victoria Foundation, is dedicated to changing human consciousness towards global environmental change by combining science with the creativity of the performing arts. Creatively United and Climate and the Arts both appreciate the support of the Polis Foundation for its assistance in the production of these webinars. Under the Distinguished Patronage of:
Her Honour,
The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia |
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