The challenge of global climate disruption has created new opportunities for corporate profiteering, marketing of “technofixes” and further commodification of the earth. Many of these “false solutions” will in fact worsen global warming and stand in the way of changes that must be made. Policies to market carbon and offset emissions, unproven and costly technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration (“clean coal”), “advanced” bioenergy, GMO “climate ready” crops, nuclear expansion, and natural gas as a “bridge fuel” are all examples of false solutions. Real solutions do exist! This workshop will begin with discussion of false solutions and their direct impacts on our communities, and then turn toward a collaborative and wide ranging discussion of genuinely renewable, community-centered solutions, rooted in the principles of climate justice. This is part of an ongoing effort to build a “People’s Vision” for U.S. climate action that is just, effective, realistic and potentially transformative.
Schedule of events:
1 - 2:10 pm: False solutions: Energy technology
Diane D'Arrigo (Nuclear Information and Resource Service), Rachel Smolker (Biofuelwatch), Kerwin Olson (Citizens Action Coalition/IN), Pat Mooney (ETC Group)
2:15 - 3:30 pm: False solutions: Carbon markets, offsets and policies:
Michael Dorsey (Dartmouth College), Daphne Wysham (Inst. for Policy Studies), Brihannala Morgan (Rising Tide NA), Maggie Zhou (Mass. Coalition for Healthy Communities).
3:40 - 4:15 pm: Speak-out on real solutions
Bring a summary of what's happening in your community!
4:15 - 5:30 pm: Wrapup panel: Real solutions and ways forward
Howard Ehrman (Little Village Environmental Justice Organization), Emily Kirsch (Ella Baker Center), Rafael Alegría (Vía Campesina Honduras), Aaron Lehmer (Bay Localize).
