"Opa, what did you do to make a difference on climate change?"
What my grandson or granddaughter will ask me, in 2030
This month, June 2008, BC residents will receive a $100 windfall cheque from the provincial government. It's supposed to help us "make lifestyle changes to reduce ... use of fossil fuels." [quoted from this year's Throne Speech] The value of this windfall? $440 million.
I just came back from a very inspiring conference in Victoria, Gaining Ground 2008 (GG08). The reason for the conference was pretty sobering: the human impact on the planet generally, how we're in for a pretty rough time of it if we don't do some things quickly. Thinking about the four kids in my life, and the handful of grandkids I hope to have some day, I had tears in my eyes. So far, we've done worse than not provide our heirs with some money for college: like a self-centred addict parent we've squandered our wealth and good fortune and are
leaving the little ones high and dry.
But GG08 wasn't just about the scary reality that all of us -- not just the grandkids -- are going to have to deal with. Mostly it was about success stories. Stories about people -- individuals,
businesses, local governments -- doing "the right thing," and doing it with gusto, in communities and cities across North America.
Much of what needs to be done (reducing GHGs - greenhouse gas emissions) isn't taking huge shifts in behaviour. And the "return on investment" (ROI) isn't just GHG reduction: it's better quality of life. In places as diverse as Ucluelet, Chicago, Santa Monica, Victoria, and the Texas border town of McAllen people are finding ways to "mitigate and adapt" to particular aspects of climate change that are working. And saving money. And making their cities or neighbourhoods all-round better places to live.
For a taste, here are a few of the more imaginative examples of "how to"… Turning a downtown reservoir in a sprawling, desertifying city into a cool (and "cool") downtown centre with social and cultural amenities... A small local government requiring all building and development to meet high "green" standards... Putting green roofs on all public buildings -- naturally cooling the buildings and the surrounding streets, and providing productive and recreative garden space in the city... Neighbourhood garden schemes that rehabilitate abandoned lots (some cities are not growing but shrinking), training ex-offenders in enviro rehab skills while reintegrating them into the community... City councils committing to "aggressive but achievable" GHG reduction targets, and having staff empowered to monitor and report on how well the municipality is doing in reaching these targets... Developers building "green" far beyond the city's requirements because they (and the market) are seeing the economic value (short term as well as long term) of responsible development...Etcetera.
Last year Premier Campbell put on his green jeans. Across the continent BC is seen as a leader in getting real about getting green. But some folks scratching their heads: What's with the $100 giveaway? As one speaker said, "It's like they just shoveled a bunch of the money they collected [with the Carbon Tax] into a truck and are dumping it into the ocean." GG08 didn't give me any $100 investment ideas (though there were some ideas worthy of a $440M investment...). I've had to look elsewhere.
But I'm a lucky guy. Besides having four wonderful kids in my life, and dreams of someday having several grandkids on my lap, I also get to research and write about people who are doing positive things in the real estate industry. Recently I've been researching climate change -- how it is having an impact on real estate, and what kinds of strategies are being proposed to help us adapt to change or mitigate change. It turns out that the number one best thing we can do to
"mitigate and adapt" to climate change is to get real about conserving existing natural areas -- particularly wetlands and forests. Why? Because oceans and intact natural ecosystems are able to absorb 50-60% of human-created carbon. By conserving and rehabilitating the natural ecosystems around and in our towns and cities we are reversing the carbon/GHG production dynamic. All well and good. But I'm still wondering: What's my $100 going to do?
Along with great family and very interesting work, my life is also blessed by the many creative, committed, communty-spirited folks I get to spend time with. One of them gave me this idea: What if all of us lucky BCers put our $100 together and collectively "invested" in sure-fire climate change strategies -- like conservation organizations that buy, hold, or manage land? Whoa! Light bulb time!
I'd already got my family involved this year in starting the Pat Glazner Fund on behalf of the Comox Valley Land Trust. So it's only natural that I'm going to ask you, Dear Reader, to invest your $100 in securing a more resilient region. There are land trusts and conversancy organizations scattered throughout the province. If even half of us made this kind of investment in the future of climate change mitigation, in the well-being and quality of life for our kids
and grandkids -- in the Comox Valley that could mean ….. over $3Million. Quite a chunk of money to invest in the number one best way to respond to climate change. And what a great ROI: a healthier, more prosperous community for our grandkids.
"Now here's the $440 million question," as another writer asked in February after the $100 giveaway was announced, "How much of it will actually go from peoples' pocket to "climate action," and how much towards beer, pizza or other every-day consumerism?"
That's the $100 investment challenge to each one of us: How can we make this $100 grow into something we'll be proud to show our grandkids in 20-50 years?
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(c)hanspetermeyer.ca / 2008
