Doom and Gloom

On February 11 our class got the chance to listen to Gene Miller from the Centre for Urban Innovation (CUI). CUI is an affiliation of urban thinkers and practitioners who are active in crafting and implementing responses to urban and land use challenges. Based here in Victoria, the Center: involves itself in urban planning initiatives and urban policy development; organizes and hosts conferences; and is currently engaged in economic impact studies of new downtown residential development. Gene also is the founder of Monday magazine (more like a newspaper). “Miller aspired to create a publication for the Victoria readership that was rooted in the social consciousness of the Village Voice but written in the style of The New Yorker”.

Gene’s presentation was dark and gloomy to say the least. In my opinion it was like story time for students! He read to us almost the entire time. But anyways, I did take notes while he talked. He started off by quoting Bill Rees “If climate change was an asteroid, we would throw every resource at it.” This is so true. Humans aren’t inclined to fix things until they’re right in front of our faces. We need proof; seeing is believing. Catastrophe... does it have a meaning. Gene went on to say catastrophe moderates what we can’t; catastrophe changes the game. Are we going to need a catastrophe to change the way we treat this earth? That’s even if we survive it! I hope we will plan to prevent as many catastrophes as possible in the current future.

“We’re living in an age of consequence”

Doom n Gloom = no rainforest, no carbon sink, heat wave kills thousands in Europe in 2003, positive feedback, food shortages by 2040, global warming of 5 degrees, carrying capacity, natural disasters.......We might be ants on a burning log but if we mitigate (lower GHG emissions), adapt (build cities sustainably), and ameliorate (environmental engineering) we may have a chance of sustaining our life on earth. I also think that this problem is not only a science issue its a psychological issue. Are most of us living in denial?

“Hope is unresearched optimism”

Gene also organizes Gaining Ground Summits. This year’s summit held in Vancouver is called Eco Logical: the power of green cities to share the future. Its focus is on the idea that North American cities—in partnership with their respective states and provinces—need to plan and act as the de facto leaders of an ecological project that includes climate action. New strategies need to be implemented if we are going to sustain a healthy economy and social well-being. This is great news that cities are working together. Recently I found out my hometown (Rocky Mtn. House) of 6000 people is starting their own sustainability plan. This is awesome news, I hope every town and city starts thinking about the environment in their planning activites.