by Neil Fernyhough
The news concerning climate change is sobering.
Every day brings more news of melting ice caps, drought and desertification, soaring temperatures and rising sea levels obliterating coastal communities and habitats.
Every month this year has set a new global temperature record.
As perhaps the most significant crisis ever to confront humanity, climate change can seem overwhelming, and any effort we put in to address it can seem like a very small drop in a very large bucket.
“Something in the Air: Local Action on Climate Change” seeks to confront that sense of helplessness head-on, with a solutions-oriented conversation with a panel of local experts.
This is the second of a four-part series, Remembering the Past; Imagining the Future, sponsored by Alexandra Neighbourhood House to commemorate our centennial year. The series approaches topics of social concern by exploring the historical context of an issue, where we are now, and where we would like our community to be in the future.
“Something in the Air” focuses on climate change as it affects three areas of activity: food security, transportation and sea level changes and shoreline protection.
After hearing presentations from a panel of experts on these topics, as well as the historical context, we will break into small groups to discuss possible solutions that we, as individuals and as a group, can take to proactively address some of the issues raised.
The event is to be moderated by Jennifer Beavington, a local community facilitator and life coach. The conversation takes place at Beecher Place, 12160 Beecher St., in Crescent Beach, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 7-8:30 pm.
Admission is free. And while registration is not required, it will help us know how many to prepare for.
Contact 604-535-0015 or info@alexhouse.net for more. Refreshments will be available.
In offering this event, we are privileged to have four exemplary panelists with a solid background in the subject.
Dr. John Clague, who will speak on the rising sea level and protecting our shoreline, is Shrum research professor and Canada Research Council chair in Natural Hazard Research at SFU, and is one of Canada’s leading authorities in environmental earth sciences.
Andrew Frank, who will speak on the historical context of our economic relationship to the natural world, is an environmental communication expert and public-relations professional, and teaches at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Grant Rice, who will speak on food security, is a local food security activist who is a founding member of the Surrey Urban Farmers Market.
Gordon Price, who will speak on transportation and transit, is a well-known and acknowledged expert on transportation in Metro Vancouver, having served six terms as a Vancouver city councillor. He was appointed to the first TransLink board in 1999.
Remembering the Past, Imagining the Future continues on Wednesday, Oct. 26 with Alexandra Neighbourhood House: Inspiring Engagement, to be held at our Crescent Beach location (2916 McBride Ave.).
Neil Fernyhough is manager of Alexandra Neighbourhood House’s community programs. For more, visit www.alexhouse.net