Kevin Washbrook on Bridge to a Cool Planet

Kevin Washbrook explains why Bridge to a Cool planet may be Canadians' last best hope in effecting stronger action on climate change before Copenhagan

In anticipation of this Saturday's big climate change rally and festival as part of International Day of Climate Action, I put a few questions to Bridge to a Cool Planet founder Kevin Washbrook.

But I'll be honest about my current state of mind: With more and more reports coming out about Canada's rising consumption and the Harper government's continuing immobility on emissions cuts, I'm feeling pretty cynical. Canada's role in climate talks has thus far been minimal, with Stephen Harper famously "choosing donuts over climate change" and his delegation prompting a mass walkout at climate talks in Thailand.

I'm also not entirely convinced that Canadians care all that much. I mean, sure, if you're reading this post, most likely you are a Canadian who does care. But the truth is Canada is one of the planet’s worst offenders when it comes to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with both continuing to increase even as other countries have begun implementing radical reduction strategies.

So I asked Kevin:


 

Do you think this reflects the level of interest by the general Canadian population to fight climate change? Do Canadians care less than people from other countries?

Kevin Washbrook: Not at all! I think many Canadians are deeply embarrassed by our position and our obstructionist antics. Hence the message on the banner that will be revealed on Saturday—but you'll have to come to the event to see what it says.


 

Right, Saturday is Bridge to a Cool Planet. Where did the name come from?

This event is about getting where we need to be from here and crossing over that near-overwhelming gulf of uncertainty and effort that lies between.

I've wanted to organize a major global warming festival in an iconic public space for a long time. A bridge seemed like an obvious choice.

It's also all about building bridges between communities—between Vancouver's cultural communities, between environmentalists and social justice activists, businesses and faith groups and more.

It's about building a broad based movement for change—because we are all in this together.


 

Why October 24?

Bridge to a Cool Planet happily coincides with the Vancouver, Canada-wide and international events coming together for the International Day of Climate Action organized by 350.org.

350.org aims to be the largest international mobilization for climate action ever with more than 3,700 events in over 189 countries!


 

What are the goals of the event?

Through spectacle and sheer numbers, the goal is send a powerful message to Ottawa that Canadians care and want to see strong, positive leadership on this issue.

... [And to] have fun, and inspire those who feel overwhelmed at the thought of taking action on this issue. This is our future we're trying to create—we should have a good time making it happen!

How will you measure success? What do you want to hear from Ottawa?

As an outcome of Copenhagen, we want Canada to commit to immediate and steep reductions in emissions. When our negotiators come home, we want our government to quickly hammer out efficient and transparent policies to get the job done.


 

Tzeporah Berman, executive director of PowerUp Canada, told a crowd at the Vancouver premiere of the film The Age of Stupid, "Canada is one of the top 10 global warming polluters, and that's true both per capita and in absolute emissions."

She said, “We need laws, not new light bulbs,” indicating that the most important initiatives to control climate change need to come from government and less so from minor consumer choices, such as energy efficiencies in the home.

What kinds of policies would you like to see the federal government implement?

1.    Putting a price on carbon emissions in a way that doesn't hurt those least well off, using some combination of:

2.    Working with the most progressive jurisdictions in North America to require that vehicle manufacturers continually increase the percentage of their total sales that are zero and low emission vehicles (including vehicles for freight transportation).

3.    Working with the most progressive jurisdictions in North America to require that vehicle manufacturers adhere to a regular schedule of improved fuel efficiency standards.

4.    Developing continually improving federal appliance efficiency standards, and working with the provinces to establish continuously improving building and land use codes.

5.    Investing in the research and development of low and zero emission energy sources, energy conservation and efficiency, carbon capture and storage, and the enhancement of natural carbon sinks.

6.    Establishing permanent, ongoing federal funding for public transit and rail service and an end to federal funding for highway expansion.

7.    Working with the provinces to aggressively increase the percentage of renewable energy in utility power portfolios.

8.    Leaving tar sands in the ground. Period. No question.