I am in Davos at the World Economic Forum (WEF) where the top issues that world leaders must address are: unstable global economy, eurozone fragility; and financial system instability. Climate change only ranks as the 7th issue. To me, it's like a group of business leaders and "experts" on the sinking Titanic discussing the fragility of champagne sales. I am deeply concerned about the Alice-in-Wonderland perception of the environment's big picture. On the morning of Saturday, January 12 when I logged onto Facebook, a friend's status update jumped out at me: "WHY DO MEDIA FAIL TO DISCUSS OPENLY THE SIGNS OF CLIMATE CHANGE? IT"S NOW 12 DEGREES IN TORONTO, NO SNOW, AND THE SIGNS OF SPRING IN JANUARY ARE NOT GOOD FOR ECOLOGY, HYDROLOGY, OR HUMAN PROSPERITY." Later in the day the temperature rose to 15ºC, at 3 p.m. setting a new record according to Environment Canada. It is deeply disturbing that we experience +15ºC in the middle of winter. And I am disturbed listening to the media commentary about how wonderful this warm weather is. A friend mentioned that the Magnolia tree in their neighbourhood was showing signs that it was about to bud. If this Spring weather continues in the middle of winter it will bud. And its flowering will be killed off with the inevitable return of winter weather. The stability and predictability of the seasons is defined as "security" by many Aboriginal peoples. The changing of the weather on a global scale is bringing unprecedented, … [Read more...] about Davos: Talking Champagne on a Sinking Titanic
jim harris
How economics drive green adoption more than guilt
The Globe and Mail's Leading Thinkers series on Corporate Responsibility video features Jim talking on why economics is a far greater driver of sustainability than guilt. See http://bit.ly/ltG909 Two videos that follow it are: 1) Energy efficiency mitigates the risk of rising energy prices http://bit.ly/l9h1iF 2) Shifting the debate from cutting carbon to cutting cost http://bit.ly/jdtpQW … [Read more...] about How economics drive green adoption more than guilt
Carbon tax: Harris on CBC
Listen to Jim Harris on the CBC’s Sunday Edition talking about the carbon tax in Canada. CBC's Sunday Edition (May 24, 2009) http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/pastpodcasts.html?25#ref25 … [Read more...] about Carbon tax: Harris on CBC