Winning the Oscar...
So it was a big night for An Inconvenient Truth at this year’s Academy Awards. Gore got a few trips to the podium, first as a presenter and then when “An Inconvenient Truth” got its statue for best documentary. As for the best song win, well, I don’t know about you, but I must say I didn’t see that one coming. Overall, with billions watching around the world you couldn’t ask for a better way to get the climate change crisis message out, except for maybe the Superbowl. Well, maybe next year.
As for me doing my part to get the message out, our first Truth presentation is for staff on March 7 at the Vancity Theatre. We had our first rehearsal last week and we have another one this week.
We are also filling seats for our member event set for March 8 at the Ridge Theatre. I keep looking at the calendar wondering why this has to be the shortest month of the year. Hey, if they can move up Daylight Savings time, surely they can tack a few days on to the end of February so I have more time to practice.
One of our biggest challenges has been trying to find ways to cut Gore’s presentation to add a “solutions” section. So many have seen the film. They don’t need to be convinced that climate change is real. They want tips on what they can do about it. To build an “action” section of the presentation we needed to trim the Gore slide show in half . . . but, where to start? How do you cut something years in the making?
Then help came from another Gore-trained presenter here in BC. His name is Jim Stephenson and he’s a retired UBC economics professor who went to the Gore boot camp in December, a month before me. We were all given mentors – others who had been through the training. Jim’s turned out to be very hands-on, providing him with a 40 min-version of the show.
I’m told his mentor is now delivering this presentation three times a week and has done it at least 40 times where she lives in the Southern coast of the US. Jim has done it 10 times, mostly for small groups here in the Vancouver area. I’m grateful to him for sharing his work. As a banker, I have a particular fondness for operational efficiency.
So, as we enter into the last few weeks before the show all I can do is hope that I do Jim - and Gore for that matter - justice. I’m currently working on memorizing the script so I can speak directly to the slides and be free to walk around and engage the audience. This will take time. We’re lucky enough to have an expert from the David Suzuki Foundation on hand at the presentation to answer scientific questions that go beyond my ability to answer.
Any questions they can’t answer, we will work to get answers to and respond by email. My challenge right now is keeping the show to a tight schedule to allow for questions to the Suzuki folks. I don’t want to run out of time before we can get to them.
Jim will be attending my first show. He has offered to rescue me if needed. Let’s just hope I don’t have to take him up on that one . . .
Comments
Thanks Scott. I've been
Thanks Scott. I've been following ChangeEverything and am happy I've started blogging.
Dave
- Login to post comments
My sons and I are looking
My sons and I are looking forward to your upcoming presentations. Bonne chance and "break a leg!"
Suggestion: Be prepared to face the question about your own monthly energy consumption, as Gore's statistics are all over the news (ref. Vancouver Sun 2March07 p. A8).
- Login to post comments
Hi Dave, Congratulations on
Hi Dave,
Congratulations on your new progress on the impressive leadership in climate change solutions! Count me in as your team member of enthusiastic advocators!
I have the products that can make the solutions work – Electric Scooters!
I have submitted a win-win-win proposal to Vancity on Mar 01. The proposal name is “Promoting Electric Scooters And Bring More Members To VanCity”
I believe, to work together passionately with local communities, our goal will be achieved by employing “Zero-emission vehicles healing the planet one km at a time”
Should you or anyone in the community be interested in this proposal, please contact me by email me at Lharvey888@aol.com or call 778 858 8201 evenings
Your fellow Vancity Member,
Lily Harvey
- Login to post comments
Hi DaveI was very much
Hi DaveI was very much looking forward to this event and then it dawned on me today that to attend I'd end up driving all the way across town to the event, would be just plain wrong. Given and that I'm already very much on the climate change bandwagon, working to reduce energy consumption and other forms of waste/CO2 production etc. I would mostly be attending to lend my moral support to the cause (which is somewhat valuable, but I'm sure others will also provide support.)So since our actions/choices are the main thing we need to change I am going to pass on the event and I'll keep an eye out for an event in North Vancouver instead.Good luck with it. Here's to inspiring more action.
- Login to post comments
I really enjoyed the
I really enjoyed the presentation this morning!
And something in particular occurred to me towards the end. This October when my son turns three, I am going to ask the family that, in lieu of gifts, they each commit to a change that will reduce their environmental footprint and then write up their commitment to him in a card or letter.
When he's older and wonders what we all did when the problems of global climate change became undeniable, he can look at the real gifts people gave him when he was little.
It suddenly became obvious that if we love our children, we have to start making changes today.
Thanks Dave...
Wm
- Login to post comments
Hi Lily, I see you have
Hi Lily, I see you have few degrees after your name, so maybe you have an answer. I have been thinking about getting an electric scooter, there are so many cool models and styles etc. But some of my friends have been quoting studies that say that the batteries are bad for the environment and that the electricity used to charge them requires either building dams and displacing people or trees, or burning coal.
It seems that whichever way you turn there are a mound of contradicting 'facts' do you know of any web site or reference that maps out the net comparative benefit of electric vs gasoline power etc.
- Login to post comments
Yes, batteries are bad,
Yes, batteries are bad, electricity is bad, the manufacture and shipping of the scooter is bad (probably worse than either the batteries or the electricity to run it) but on the other hand its all relative, and we do need to be nitpicking the details when the big picture is at stake
So the big question is what is the alternative that you're moving from and to.
In terms of pure energy conversion efficiency, if you are burning fossil fuel to generate electricity, transmitting that power to your home to then charge and power the scooter then it isn't as efficient use of the fuel as it is to just burn it in a gas-powered scooter. But since the scooters are fairly low power devices per rider relative to gas powered scooters, cars, possibly even buses, the actual power consumption (and carbon footprint) is likely lower than even a gas-scooter in the end.
And as we move hopefully toward more sustainable energy choices. at least Electricity does have some opportunity to be enviro-friendly, and is more sustainable than oil, perhaps you could buy a scooter and a large solar array to recharge it.
On the other hand it is definitely less energy efficient than a bicycle, a skateboard or walking. So if you can cycle everywhere that's probably a better choice.
But if you're replacing even a small car. Hey good on ya!
- Login to post comments
Hello Dave: I was also very
Hello Dave:
I was also very happy for Al Gore winning that Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth, it is such an exceptional documentary and an important message. Al Gore has been an environmental activist for many years, so perhaps this is finally some well deserved recognition. If only he had announced that he was running for President!
Also, good for you for taking the time to spread the word about climate change. I have applauded your efforts and Vancity's work in the past in my blog IndieScribe and in the blog BeyondRobson, which I also write for. Quite simply, I think it is great that you are taking the time to do this. And also your blogging is great, keep it up!
Scott Robarts
http://www.indiescribe.com