Title: We Are the Weather, Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast. Author: Jonathan Safran Foer
Reviewed and recommended by Helen Bryce, GBF director and chair of the Education Committee
In this unsettling and uncertain COVID-19 environment, we are thankful that the majority of society practices “social isolation/physical distancing", that the medical profession bravely carries on treating the infected, that businesses retool to produce what society needs and that governments step up to the challenge of protecting us all. Why then, can we not do the same things to save our planet before we reach “runaway climate change” and nothing can save us?
The effects of global warming are here locally and abroad – from rapidly swinging lake levels in Georgian Bay to more intense bush fires in Australia - to name a few.
Many scientists are afraid of being called alarmist, and that there is a conservative bias in much reporting on future scenarios that could result in a lack of preparation. This was noted by Georgian Bay’s Executive Director who attended a presentation from Dr. Huaiping Zhu, professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Faculty of Science, York University, who received a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) to improve climate risk assessments in the province. David noted with alarm that Dr. Zhu’s modelling showed a trajectory of 6-9 degrees of warming in northern communities. Northern limit of corn crops today is Parry Sound…by 2100 it will be almost up to James Bay.
While we can’t reverse where we are now, we can collectively work together to limit its extent by century end. At Georgian Bay Forever (GBF), we are committed to bringing helpful information and solutions to you.
On April 25th in Toronto, GBF invites you to an event that includes 2 parts in each session:
Learn more about Ontario’s renewable energy grid, and future possibilities from David Sweetnam.
Test drive an electric vehicle. Ask Plug ‘N Drive experts any questions you want to know.
“We cannot avoid the consequences of our warming climate but we can take actions to limit the damage,reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and,over the longterm,limit the warming of our planet.” From GBF’s position papaer. Learn more about impacts on Georgian Bay and GBF’s position here:
Donna Mitchell is a Toronto-based communications professional with a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell who enjoys spending time on Georgian Bay.
Title: Just Cool It! The Climate Crisis and What We Can Do. A Post-Paris Agreement Game Plan, by David Suzuki and Ian Hanington
A recommendation by Anne Randell, director and previous chair of GBF
Published by: Greystone Books Ltd., David Suzuki Institute
Climate change is one of the most pressing crises in our world today. Although some misinformed skeptics do not believe in the seriousness of it, there are many facts and figures, based on scientific evidence, that prove that it is a significant and serious concern for all of us.
We all dread climate change and we need to fix its causes! You’re not alone if those words make you feel overwhelmed. The good news is there are a lot of concerned people like you as well as organizations and all levels of government working on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, we need to prepare for the increasing climate change impacts scientists expect we will see in our near future.
Sara Carter writes about why she loves the water of Georgian Bay. Sara is a volunteer for the Communications Committee for Georgian Bay Forever. To share your passion about the water of Georgian Bay and inspire others, please contact communications at heather.sargeant@gbf.org.
GBF is partnering with CurrentCast to share information that they develop with other partners about water stewardship and sustainability in the Great Lakes and surrounding watersheds. CurrentCast is a project of the Center for Transformative Action based at Cornell University. CurrentCast content is owned by ChavoBart Digital Media, Inc. The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future at Cornell University provides scientific content support and reviews all editorial idea for the initiative.
GBF is partnering with CurrentCast to share information that they develop with other partners about water stewardship and sustainability in the Great Lakes and surrounding watersheds. CurrentCast is a project of the Center for Transformative Action based at Cornell University. CurrentCast content is owned by ChavoBart Digital Media, Inc. The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future at Cornell University provides scientific content support and reviews all editorial idea for the initiative.
GBF is partnering with CurrentCast to share information that they develop with other partners about water stewardship and sustainability in the Great Lakes and surrounding watersheds. CurrentCast is a project of the Center for Transformative Action based at Cornell University. CurrentCast content is owned by ChavoBart Digital Media, Inc. The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future at Cornell University provides scientific content support and reviews all editorial idea for the initiative.
Freshwater streams could contribute to climate change… on this CurrentCast.
At Georgian Bay Forever, we believe explaining, identifying cause and helping to manage solutions to mitigate climate change are critical for the future of Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes. But as individuals, climate change impacts and being able to help can seem overwhelming and hard to figure out.
Some of you have asked - what can we do? The good news is you can do something everyday, and influence others by your example!
