Greenspiration News & Events: People power!

Sun Oct 25 23:57:13 EDT 2020

We took down Enbridge’s pipeline plan! 

There will be no new Hamilton gas pipeline – at least for now. Enbridge Gas withdrew its application to build a giant new pipeline through sensitive natural areas in Hamilton to bring more US fracked gas to Ontario and to facilitate Doug Ford’s plan to ramp up the output of Ontario’s gas-fired power plants by more than 300%. People power! 

https://www.cleanairalliance.org/cel/

Historic milestone: UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons reaches 50 ratifications needed for entry into force

The United Nations announced Saturday that 50 countries have ratified a U.N. treaty to ban nuclear weapons triggering its entry into force in 90 days, a move hailed by anti-nuclear activists but strongly opposed by the United States and the other major nuclear powers. Canada shamefully has still not signed onto the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, known as the TPNW. 

https://www.icanw.org/historic_milestone_un_treaty_on_the_prohibition_of_nuclear_weapons_reaches_50_ratifications_needed_for_entry_into_force 

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/africa/2020/10/24/un-nuclear-weapons-ban-treaty-to-enter-into-force.html

https://ananuclear.org/celebrating-the-treaty-on-the-prohibition-of-nuclear-weapons-on-this-historic-day/ 

Wind and solar now power a 10th of the world, while coal smoulders

But Canadians can't brag, wind and solar generate only 5.3% of our total electricity – about half the global share

https://www.corporateknights.com/channels/energy/wind-and-solar-now-power-a-10th-of-the-world-while-coal-smoulders-16034706/ 

Debunking the myths around Small Modular Reactors 

Small “Mythical” Reactors, also known as small modular reactors, or, more properly, small modular nuclear reactors, are uneconomical, years away from implementation, don’t answer the climate crisis or jobs needs, and come with the same inherent risks and radioactive waste problems as the current large reactors. Yet the nuclear industry, governments and the media continue to embrace them as something “new” and beneficial. Hear from the experts on how to debunk the SMR myths. Watch the webinar video recording and view the slides.

www.beyondnuclear.org/home/2020/10/23/smr-webinar-presentations-and-video.html

A Life on Our Planet 

Broadcaster David Attenborough recounts his life, and the evolutionary history of life on Earth, to grieve the loss of wild places and offer a vision for the future. Must watch1

https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/80216393

The Social Dilemma

We tweet, we like, and we share— but what are the consequences of our growing dependence on social media? As digital platforms increasingly become a lifeline to stay connected, Silicon Valley insiders reveal how social media is reprogramming civilization by exposing what’s hiding on the other side of your screen. Must watch!

https://Netflix.com/thesocialdilemma 

Juice Podcast with Noam Chomsky

Interview with world-renowned intellectual, activist and political dissident Noam Chomsky about the unfolding trainwreck of the 2020 US election, the state of humanity, the breakdown of democracy, the rise of conspiracy theories, the prosecution of Julian Assange, the role of satire - and what helps to keep him going amidst all this shitfuckery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rASOvdaoKKw 

Bolivia: Left’s overwhelming win a sharp rebuke to Canadian foreign policy

It's time to re-evaluate Ottawa’s pro-U.S. stance on Latin America 

https://ricochet.media/en/3342/bolivia-lefts-overwhelming-win-a-sharp-rebuke-to-canadian-foreign-policy

Tell Jagmeet Singh to push for a National Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform in this Parliament

https://fairvotecanada.good.do/action/JagmeetSingh/  

Understanding ranked ballots and why Ontario's decision to axe them has some rankled

Ranked ballots are a fairer way to conduct elections that also make governments more diverse — but on Tuesday, Ontario introduced a COVID-19 recovery bill that also amends the election act to do away with the practice.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ranked-ballots-1.5770845

Tell Ford: Hands off our democracy. Sign the petition: https://act.leadnow.ca/ON-democracy/

Let the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Know Your Vision for Better Public Transit

Right now, we have a chance to help shape the future of transportation in our communities for the better. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has created a public survey to help inform the Greater Golden Horseshoe transportation plan. Filling out the 15-minute questionnaire will send an important message to the provincial government that the future of transit should be clean, accessible and allow for the effective mobility of all members of society - and should NOT be focused on more car-centric infrastructure and sprawl that destroys natural spaces and increases pollution in our communities.

https://www.ontario.ca/form/survey-greater-golden-horseshoe-transportation-plan 

Toronto police say they 'regret that mistakes were made' in G20 mass arrests following major settlement

Excellent news! The cops admit they were out of line, and can't do it again - indiscriminate kettling, mass arrests, inadequate detention. A $16.5 million settlement will be split among the 1000+ detainees. 

If you were kettled or detained during the G-20 in Toronto, 2010, you can stay abreast of the settlement here: https://www.g-20classactionsettlement.ca/ They're not accepting claims yet but will be before long. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/g20-toronto-police-regret-1.5767958 

Why healing activist burnout is essential to dismantling capitalism

This blog by Emma Lui gives an overview of activist burnout and how healing is linked to justice and dismantling systems of oppression.  Great read. 

https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/views-expressed/2020/10/why-healing-activist-burnout-essential-dismantling-capitalism 

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EVENTS

EcoFair Toronto - films, workshops, panels - free

Thur. Oct. 29 - Equity & Access: the Importance of Affordable Transportation

Fri. Oct. 30 - The Bicycle

Sat. Oct. 31 - Cycling in the Green New Decade

Sun. Nov. 1 - Cooking with plants for health and happiness

Thur. Nov. 5 - Kiss the Ground

Thur. Nov. 5 - Sustainable Shopping - Family Feud Style

Sat. Nov. 7 - Heal the Soil, Save the Planet?

https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/ecofair-toronto-31259371539

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Global Efforts for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 

Mon. Oct. 26, 2 - 3 p.m. ET 

Ray Acheson of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons will update us briefly on global efforts on nuclear disarmament, including the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. She will then field questions from students and the larger audience. Organized by Science for Peace

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/global-efforts-tickets-122411545227    

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Unfractured

Mon. Oct. 26, 7 - 10 p.m. ET

Online Screening of UNFRACTURED, followed by a Q&A with protagonist Sandra Steingraber. UNFRACTURED is a triumphant documentary about fighting with your whole heart against gas fracking.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/unfractured-virtual-screening-and-qa-tickets-119329314191 

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Addressing Mining and Systemic Racism: Staying Connected During a Pandemic

Monday | Wednesday | Friday 

October 19 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 30 

During this Virtual Conference we will explore the intersection of mining, environmentalism, health, and the coronavirus pandemic. As we examine each of these subjects, we will also consider the pernicious influence of systemic racism, which profoundly affects how decisions are made within, among, and for mining communities nationwide.

http://www.leadagency.org/2020-conference.html 

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Beyond Walls, Beyond Borders

October 26 - October 30

Since its inception in 2011, Ryerson's annual Social Justice Week has brought together Ryerson students, staff and faculty, and the broader community on topics related to social justice and solidarity. This year under the theme “Beyond Walls, Beyond Borders,” SJW features ten events focusing on justice, critical geography, democracy, political mobilization, labour, global resistance, and feminist activism. 

https://www.ryerson.ca/socialjustice/social-justice-week/ 

Beyond Pipelines and Prisons: Infrastructures of Abolition

Mon. Oct. 26, 6:30 - 8 p.m. ET

Ruth Wilson Gilmore and Winona LaDuke in conversation on what a decolonized, ecologically and socially just future might look like.

Watch Live: https://youtu.be/xT5eTVQAc2g

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#LondonLeads Report Launch - How one Canadian city switched to ranked ballots

Mon. Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. ET

Ontario included an amendment to do away with ranked ballots in COVID-19 recovery bill. Join Unlock Democracy for a free crash course on our brand new report: #LondonLeads: How one Canadian city switched to ranked ballots. 

https://mcmaster.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrdOuorjIoGdEa42fm4Nfa1iG-3129qMkv 

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Study and Struggle: Deconstructing Settler Colonialism and Borders

Tuesday, October 27, 7 pm ET

Tickets: https://bit.ly/3bWIjvU 

With Haymarket Books

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Critical Conversations: Environmental Emergency

Tues. October 27, 7:30 pm ET

Authors in candid, live conversation reflect on the topics that matter most during this unprecedented time. In this presentation, panelists discuss the Earth’s environmental state of emergency, Canada’s role and responsibilities and a sustainable roadmap out of crisis. Tune in each day of the Festival to hear new speakers in critical conversation about the topics shaping today’s new world.

Featuring panelists Seth Klein, Megan Leslie and Chúk Odenigbo.

https://festivalofauthors.ca/event/critical-conversations-environmental-emergency/   

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End the Digital Divide! Join the Social Distance rally next week for Affordable Internet

Wed. October 28, 1 pm ET

299 Queen Street West, Toronto, outside Bell Headquarters

Sign the petition: https://www.internetforall.ca/

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Can I trust Alexa? What is a Trustworthy Smart System

Wed. Oct. 28, 3:30 – 5 p.m. ET

As AI (artificial intelligence) becomes more pervasive, so too has the concern over how we can trust that it reflects human values. Misconceptions about what AI can and cannot do abound, eroding trust in the abilities they do possess. And, perhaps most significantly, a lack of clarity over which jobs AI might impact breeds an additional level of distrust in the technology. Join thought leaders exploring the technology – human interface and how to get the most out of that ecosystem.

https://ssfonline.org/can-i-trust-alexa-what-is-a-trustworthy-smart-system-11395 

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Carbon Fibres: Bitumen for Good

Wed. Oct. 28, 11 a.m. ET

Building Back Better Together – Canada and Europe, in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Canada.  An exploration of the more lucrative non-combustion uses for bitumen and how they could fit into the EU supply chain for lightweight vehicles (e.g. the German automotive industry), building materials and aircraft, among other possible uses and the opportunities this presents for Canada.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CTHVNK_GRHK_t16J4KlPbw 

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Earth Tech Demo Night

Wed. Oct. 28, 6 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Meet the cleantech entrepreneurs helping to build the Next Economy. Watch start-ups from our Earth Tech accelerator pitch live, and vote to determine which three ventures will walk away with cash prizes of $10,000 and other awards!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/csi-climate-ventures-earth-tech-demo-night-tickets-121369959817 

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3 Keys to Plant-Based Eating

Wed. Oct. 28, 2:30 - 3:30 ET

New to plant-based eating? No problem. Join us to discuss three keys meeting nutrient recommendations when focusing on plant-based foods.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3-keys-to-plant-based-eating-tickets-124163701975 

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Prove I Made a Low Carbon Choice – Can smart systems do this?

Wednesday October 28, 3:30 - 5 p.m. ET

As AI (artificial intelligence) becomes more pervasive, so too has the concern over how we can trust that it reflects human values. In the case of reducing carbon emissions, smart systems can lead to low carbon goods and services but can I be confident that I am making a low carbon buying decision when machine learning is providing the decision information?  

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4834489265307360272 

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A New Ecological Civilization based on The Economics of Kindness 

Thursday, October 29, 1 - 4 pm PT

Guy Dauncey is an Canadian anthropological economist with a vision. Join him for this free 3-hour participatory workshop hosted by the Suzuki Elders Council. Everyone welcome. The workshop includes group breakouts after each of six sessions, Q&As, and 10’ minute stretch breaks on the hour.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-new-ecological-civilization-registration-124310023627 

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Sport and Transport: Growing a Culture of Advocacy

Friday, October 30, noon - 1 p.m. ET

This summer in Toronto, ActiveTO balanced promoting riding a bike for transportation (Cycling Network Plan acceleration) and recreation (weekend major roads closed to cars and open to walking, rolling and riding). Where do we go from here? Join Councillor Brad Bradford, race promoter and announcer Steve Fleck, our Interim Executive Director Michael Longfield, and more for a panel discussion on the growing bike boom and what role sport can play to encourage more people to ride a bike while ensuring active transportation remains a political priority.

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7JxG2WhZSLWLXDv66WoYuA 

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The Internet: Are Children In Charge? - Virtual Summit

ANTI-Internet Child Exploitation-TEAM

Fri. Sat. Oct. 30-31

Parents, caregivers, and professional allies are trying to find ways to protect children online. Learn the why, the how, and the hope.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/int-virtual-summit-the-internet-are-children-in-charge-tickets-113259036828 

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Help Make a Difference – Climate Change Empowerment Workshop

Concerned about climate change and want to help? Need support to figure out your next step towards making a difference? We all have a part to play. Get started with this empowerment workshop to

1)  strengthen your motivation by recognising why this matters to you, 2)  address what makes it hard for you to be more engaged, 3)  identify the empowering next step(s) for you, and 4)  get the support you need to follow through. This same online workshop is repeated on four separate dates: Sun. Nov. 1, Sat. Dec. 5, 2020 and Sun. Jan. 31, 2021 You may join just one or more than one. All dates are from 1 - 5:30 pm ETBy donation: $30 to Project Neutral app.projectneutral.org (or to another climate change group of your choice)

Registration / Info; mailto:Henryhwai at gmail.com 

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The People Speak

Sun. Nov. 1, 7 p.m. PST

Featuring the words and songs of rebels, dissenters and visionaries from our past and present, "The People Speak" brings to life the extraordinary history of the people who built and continue to build the movements that bring us closer to equity and justice for all.

https://bit.ly/3nGk36G

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For the best Canadian climate and energy news, read and subscribe to the Energy Mix newsletter

http://theenergymix.com/    

Democracy Now Daily Show - my source for global peace, justice and enviro news

https://www.democracynow.org/   

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Submissions, subscribes, unsubscribes, and comments: angela at cleanairalliance.org

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