February 4, 2004 Opinions e the other press © Science Matters Changing the Future Means Changing Priorities David Suzuki warming could = “push one quarter of the world’s plants and ani- mals to the edge of extinction by 2050 recently made head- lines around the world. But did the stories do more harm than good? The forecast is truly grim. A major international research paper published in the journal Nature reports that about one million species could be doomed to extinction. The cul- prit? Heat-trapping gases we are pumping into the atmosphere through vehicle exhaust, power plant, and factory smokestacks and home chimneys. So, faced with such alarming news, what did people do? Did millions say, “That's it, no more SUV for me!” and commit to public transit? Did thousands call, write, or email their elected leader and demand action on global warming? Did corporate executives commit to making David Suzuki Foundatio: News that global | their industries cleaner? ! ! ' ' 1 1 ' ' 1! 1 ' 1 ' 1 ' ' 1 1 a ' 1 I 1 ' ' ! 1 ' ' ' ' 1 1! ' No! Instead, this terrible news ! was largely met with a collective 1 shrug. To be fair, it was more of ! . s ' a collective, “Isn't that horrible!” ! or, “How awful!” rather than a shrug, but the effect is the same. ! . ' For the average person, nothing ! will change. Why? Well, most t 1 people are simply overwhelmed ! ' by such news because the whole : thing seems beyond their con- | ! trol. When that happens, peo- ! ple tune out. They have too | many other things to deal with | . . . 1 in their lives to figure out one ! . 1 more problem in the world— 1 especially something as incom- | . . . 1 prehensibly big as climate! change. Rather than being spurred to action, such news} . a ' without context can drive many ! people to a defensive position. Just as consistent news reports } . . ' focusing on street crime create ! fear and drive people off the | streets (thereby actually making ! ' the streets more dangerous) ! overwhelming environmental | news also causes people to retreat themselves and inadvertently make things worse. For example, rather than taking action to reduce global warming, some people may pur- chase a bigger, heavier vehicle “To keep the family safe.” Believe it or not, this actually creates a market for more envi- ronmentally unfriendly prod- ucts. I can see automotive exec- utives sitting in a boardroom discussing how to capitalize on concerns about global warming. “People are worried about glob- al warming. What can we do about that?” asks an executive. “Bigger air conditioners to beat the heat!” says one. “Bigger everything to make people feel more secure,” says another. This is what's called “meeting market demand.” Climate studies are vital to our understanding of the atmosphere and how we are changing it. But as studies pile up, we have to look beyond the impact of what will happen if we don’t change to how to make the changes necessary to prevent the worst-case scenarios from coming to pass. Right now, we are stuck in the mud and spin- ning our wheels. All citizens can help by reduc- into ing the amount of energy we use. But to really slow global warming, Canadians need the kind of leadership and strategies that can only occur at the high- est levels. Our government has adopted the Kyoto Protocol, the first small, but important, step to address climate change. Unfortunately, little has been done to get started on this essential task. Comments made by our new Minister of Natural Resources, John Efford, about expanding oil and gas produc- tion in Canada are not very encouraging. The appears unaware if any connec- tion between energy use and global warming exists. minister In his upcoming Throne speech, Prime Minister Martin would do well to give Canadians a sense about how he plans on dealing with issues like air pollution and change. This will require a new focus, from fossil fuels and nuclear subsidies, to clean, renewable. energy and _ better efficiency. We can meet the challenge of climate change and doing so will make Canada a stronger, more country. So to our new prime minister and his cabinet, please don’t accept the status quo. It’s time for a new vision and a new future. You are our leaders—so lead. One million species and the generation of Canadians will thank you. Take the Nature Challenge and learn more at . climate competitive next Kali Thurber Opinions Editor While standing outside the Fairmont in the unrelenting bitterness of Newfoundland, chunks of icy snow proved dangerous as they slid off the rooftop, just missing three precious heads of the Other Press. When two locals exited through the doors, the Other Press’ observant graphic designer warned them, “Watch out, there’s snow falling from the sky.” The two locals didn’t even bother to turn their heads for the idiocy of us tourists. Joel Koette OP Columnist Resolutions and Ruptures: Sexual and Gender Diversity and the Spaces In-Between is a conference being held and organized by the staff, faculty, and students of UBC. “The conference seeks to examine where various communities come together, rupture, inter- sect, and overlap in relations to activism, oppressions, and the politics of change,” as quoted from the Resolutions and Ruptures conference website. The conference will investi- gate and identify the positive strategies and actions necessary to enact change in our commu- nities. Much of the discussion will work to bridge the gap between marginalized groups and the self-determined com- munities while examining how to include race, ethnicity, abili- ties, gender expression, sex, class, size, age, and how they interact together creating the social structure we currently navigate. Like most of the con- ferences of its kind, creating a dialogue between the different delegates, providing informa- tion, and building relationships between the different delegates and groups is part of the process of changing the societal view we hold. The conference will pro- vide open conversations to facilitate this type of growth in our communities and with our allies, as we explore theories, practices, and lived experiences. Speakers at the conference will include Sue-Ellen Case, Professor and chair of the Critical Studies Department. Professor Case has published numerous performance studies, new media, and critical queer theory. Speaker Jamie-Lee Follow the Rainbow Resolutions and Ruptures Hamilton will also be leading a workshop. Jamie-Lee is a long time community activist, Miss Gay Vancouver, and founder of a safe house for street-involved prostitutes. Speaker Kevin Kumashiro is a community activist, researcher, the director of the Centre for Anti- Oppressive Education, and a developer of new approaches to addressing issues of social jus- tice in our schools. The Resolutions and Ruptures conference will be taking place March 5-7, 2004 in Vancouver. For further infor- mation and registration, go to or call 604.822.4859. Whoever you are, whether an activist, student, community member, faculty member, or an organiz- er, I encourage you to attend this conference. http://www.otherpress.ca Third Degree Angela Blattmann OP Photographer Name: The Professor Answer: The rains are wetter, and the girls are more beauti- ful. Or wait, is it the other way around? Name: Jennifer Answer: The bars are really fun. Name: Wilson Answer: You've got to kiss a few cods to find your prince. Page 7