CC-RAI Newsletter December 2011

It has been a tremendously busy year for CC-RAI, TRCA and York University. As 2012 draws closer we wanted to highlight what we have been working on over the last few months. Our December newsletter is now available, as is our previous September edition. The nature of a changing climate has created a wide range of social, economic and environment issues that will need to be addressed now and in the years and decades to come. CC-RAI looks forward to working with partners in Ontario, Canada and abroad to better understand, mitigate and adapt to the challenges of climate change. If you are interested in becoming involved or would like to work with CC-RAI and its partners on a specific project do not hesitate to contact us.

CC-RAI will be closed over the holidays, but would like to wish all our partners, and supporters a Happy Holidays and a very merry New Year! For our partners and supporters here’s a link to some holiday cheer – “I’m A Climate Scientist (made by real climate scientists).

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from CC-RAI

CC-RAI Graduate Research Symposium, November 24th, York Research Tower

Extreme wind, public health, the Ontario wine industry, renewable energy, polar bears, land cover changes, South American ecology, the Clean Development Mechanism, West Nile Virus, art and design. What do all of these research topics have in common? Climate change. On November 24th, CC-RAI hosted it first annual 7&7 Graduate Climate Change Research Symposium and Mixer at York University.

Monica Vaswani (York University) - presenting her reseearch on extreme wind in Ontario

As one of the final events of a SSHRC public outreach grant, CC-RAI and Knowledge Mobilization brought together students from universities across the province,  including Brock University, the University of Toronto, the University of McMaster, the University of Waterloo, and York University among others. In total, 16 graduate researchers from across the province presented their research to other students, academics and members of the private and public sector. This diverse array of students highlighted an incredible range of research with direct relevance to Ontario’s socioeconomic and environmental future, not to mention a range of global issues. Whether it was the issue of extreme weather, the complexities of the clean development mechanism, the minutia of renewable energy regulation or climate changes impact on Ontario’s 1 billion dollar wine industry – the message was clear – there is no shortage of problems to study and a lot of unanswered questions to address.

Chris Buse (University of Toronto)

Supporting the development of highly qualified personnel (HQP) in the sciences and social sciences with a focus on climate change is critical to maintaining, retaining and developing Ontario’s next generation of talented scientists, researchers and professionals. Another important aspect to this work involves building a network of climate savvy professionals to support such development. We look forward to hosting a second 7&7 Symposium next fall. A complete list of presenters and their research interests can be found online. A complete listing of presentation slides will also be made available shortly.

Presenters and participants from across the province at 7&7 Symposium and Mixer

Winning student posters provided by Green Venture|Clean Air Hamilton

Winning posters, a close-up with a focus on climate change

CC-RAI would also like to thank Green Venture and Green Air Hamilton for allowing us to showcase posters designed by high school students aimed at highlighting some of the challenges posed by a changing climate. We would also like to thank Kobo for generously donating Kobo e-readers as prizes for graduate student presenters and audience members. This one-day event was made possible with the generous funding of SSHRC, the Knowledge Mobilization Unit and CC-RAI. Other activities associated with this project have included the placement of six SSHRC interns in policy partner organizations across the GTA.

CC-RAI's pilot project - Crossing Boundaries, Communications Workshop

On December 7th, CC-RAI and Knowledge Mobilization hosted the final event of the SSHRC public outreach grant on climate change. The last few weeks have involved a number of related events and activities, including a Conversation with Roger Street, and the 7&7 Graduate Climate Change Research Symposium not least the pan-ultimate event: the Crossing Boundaries, Communications Workshop. As the project draws to a close CC-RAI aims to build on the on the successes of the project and provide an opportunity to move an initiative like Crossing Boundaries forward.

CC-RAI approached this project from a few directions. Recognizing the power of social media and the growing importance of the blogosphere, we enlisted John Dupuis, York University’s resident ‘blogspert’ and head of the Steacie Science and Engineering Library to lead participants through an interactive introduction to DIY blogging. Armed with their MacBooks, a diverse range of faculty and graduate students from various disciplines set-up shop not only to learn the ins and outs of blogging, but also how to apply that learning to translating their research into an online posting. John’s presentation is now available at Crossing Boundaries – Blogging DIY

John Dupuis, resident 'blogspert' leading the Crossing Boundaries group in an introduction to Blogging 101

Between postings Kelly Parke, otherwise known as the ‘video-oracle’ spirited away would be bloggers for on camera interviews. Recognizing the importance of communicating with the media, these interviews would serve as basis for a post-interview analysis and critique (constructive of course) by the group at large. As participant’s faces were projected 15 feet high, Kelly, a broadcaster, cameraman and seasoned media veteran with more than 25 years in the business shared his insights and advice on how to most effectively tell your story. In addition to highlighting a series of top tips for interviewees developed by the DPK Public Relations, Kelly was able to provide individualized advice on how to most effectively communicate one’s message and hold one’s own in front of the camera.

Kelly Parke (right) and Norman Yan running through the interview process

While the medium and the message remain a key consideration for any communicator one cannot forget the audience. A very important constituent of that audience being the policy makers and politicians with whom we hope our research can make an impact.  CC-RAI was very grateful that Aaron Freeman, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Premier of Ontario was willing to share some of his insights on most effectively communicating to policy makers and politicians. With a wealth of experience working in the academic, NGO and political area, Aaron elucidated some of the communication pathways within government and the most effective ways for researchers and the interested citizen to convey their message to politicians in a succinct, concise and meaningful way.

Aaron Freeman, providing some perspective on effective ways to communicate with politcians and policy makers

Crossing Boundaries was conceived of as a pilot project for hopefully a larger program aimed at equipping faculty and students with key skills to help them more effectively communicate to policy makers, other researchers from different disciplines and the general public, as to what it is that they study and why they are passionate about that subject. Our approach recognized that the nature of communications is both diverse and ever changing. While academic journals are important medium for research communication, social media is increasingly important, as is an ability to engage the media at large whether in print, radio, or even via You Tube. Building on the successes of Crossing Boundaries, the potential exists to explore options for communications training for faculty and graduate students with a focus on not only the blogosphere, but the policy arena itself.

A challenge for business - climate change and extreme weather

How does business respond to new challenges and new opportunities? It is a question that business students and CEO’s are tasked to address every day. In the last two years in particular, businesses and society have been challenged to respond to a global economic downturn and its affect on broader socioeconomic and environmental issues. While the debate rages over the most effective ways to develop a sustainable economic engine dependent on growth or some other metric of success, businesses and organizations are forced to respond to a rapidly developing business issue – climate change.

In early September I was approached by Kelly Parke and Milena Vujanovic  instructors at the Schulich School of Business to see if we had a challenge for students in their MBA Creativity and Innovation class. Around the same time myself and a colleague had been asked to participate in the WeatherWise Partnership initiative organized by the City of Toronto’s Environment Office and CivicAction. The WeatherWise initiative modelled on similar initiatives in London and New York City seeks to engage members of both the public and private sector in identifying their extreme weather vulnerabilities in the context of a changing climate.

Milena Vujanovic and Kelly Parke - instructors Creativity and Innovation at Schulich

With this in mind, Kelly and Milena challenged their Creativity and Innovation class to develop a business framework to address these extreme weather and climate change issues.

I was grateful for the opportunity to present some of the challenges posed by a changing climate, for instance, the impact of an extreme weather event on logistic networks, customer service or even employee safety and productivity. It provided the forum to highlight some of these challenges and connect the students with an incredible resource of case studies and scholarship that exists around the world. Recognizing the challenges of climate adaptation are inherently local there is a great deal to be learnt from leading jurisdictions, governments, and organizations like UKCIP. Climate change and its impact on business will not only involve financial issues, but also legal and insurance issues – the list goes on.

Kelly, Milena and their students have to be commended for taking on this challenge and taking the time and effort to develop an understanding of these issues. As the acting ‘client’ for the group I was impressed by the groups enthusiasm to explore the ramifications of a changing climate. Having the opportunity to take part in the various working sessions of the class I was delighted to see how the groups ideas evolved to address the business challenges they identified. These very real challenges are being recognized by organizations and major corporations around the world.

As Sir Terry Leah, the CEO of Tesco said, “The global threat from climate change is now clearer than ever. The whole economy has to change.”

Charting progress at Creativity & Innovations Tumblr page

I would contend that education at all levels needs to change and incorporate a more systemic understanding of the global economy and environment. As the future business leaders of organizations small and large it is encouraging to see a leading business school like Schulich incorporating real world challenges into its curriculum. From a process level the course really encouraged an approach to problem solving that was design focused and interactive. It provided an excellent model for similar courses and approach to integrating climate change into an overall business discussion. As the deliberations at COP17 continued the the importance of engaging the private sector in responding to the challenges of a changing climate  became increasingly important.

As Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary for the UNFCCC said in September last year, “Sooner of later, all businesses will have to climate-proof their operations, from supply-chain to point of sale, from place of production to place of investment. Adaptation will be imperative if businesses want to avoid climate change impacts driving them out of business.” The same can be said for the way we educate future business leaders – we need to adapt to make sure they have the knowledge, skills and expertise to thrive in a changing climate.

For more on the WeatherWise Partnership click here

The UKCIP Experience - Advancing Climate Adaptation - Roger Street, Technical Director, UKCIP

On Thursday November 24^th, the Climate Consortium for Research, Action and Integration (CC-RAI) was pleased to host Roger Street, the Technical Director at the UK Climate Impacts Program (UKCIP) based at Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute (ECI).

Roger Street, UKCIP Technical Director

Roger joined UKCIP in 2006 after working for over 30 years for the Canadian federal government, much of which focused on climate, and impacts and adaptation. Roger brought a wealth of experience to the discussion which stemmed from his leading role in the development of Canada’s first national assessment on climate change impacts, as well as an advisory role in the first US national assessment and most recently the UK’s first Climate Change Risk Assessment.

Participants discussing opportunities for advancing collaboration and climate change, David MacLeod, City of Toronto's Environment Office (centre)

In a room full of interested individuals from government and industry, Roger outlined the development of UKCIP as a boundary organization which works with the willing to advance climate adaptation in the UK and abroad. UKCIP is a leading figure in the world of climate adaptation and an example to not only governments, but also business in the development of climate adaptation measures. Following a brief presentation by Roger, Stewart Dutfield, CC-RAI Program and Communication Manager facilitated a conversation between Roger and other participants from various municipalities, businesses and NGOs. Over the course of more than two hours participants had the opportunity to directly engage in a discussion around climate adaptation and its relevance to municipalities, long-term planning, business continuity and overall sustainability.

A full house, public and private sector stakeholders engaged in a dilaogue around climate adaptation

Recognizing the challenges posed by a changing climate and a year characterized by a high number of extreme weather disasters the importance of climate adaptation is increasingly an issue of concern. Climate change will inherently have local implications to governments and businesses at all levels, but the global ramifications of climate impacts are increasingly understood to have a systemic implications. In that regard, Roger highlighted the importance of working collaboratively between jurisdictions, between sectors and across systems. As Toronto, as Ontario, and Canada as a whole considers it approach to adaptation a systemic, cross-sectoral approach will be essential to realizing the benefits of a collaborative approach.  CC-RAI as the acting secretariat of the Ontario Regional Climate Change Consortium (ORCCC) is working to support a pan-provincial, inter-institutional approach to climate research, modelling and services. As a member of the City of Toronto’s Environment Office and Civic Action’s WeatherWise partnership, CC-RAI looks forward to emulating some of UKCIP’s successes as a boundary organizing by supporting this important work in the area of climate adaptation.

Partnership will be key to advancing such collaborative work. CC-RAI would like to thank all the municipalities, private sector organizations and NGOs who took the time to contribute to this important dialogue. We would also like to thank the British High Commission, and Consul General for their support for this event. As one of the capstone events for the SSHRC Public Outreach Grant,  CC-RAI and Knowledge Mobilization would like to acknowledge our policy partners the Region of Peel, York Region, the Region of Durham, TRCA, ACER, and the City of Toronto’s Environment Office, not to mention the generous support provided by the Social Studies and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

A Conversation with Roger Street (UKCIP)

For anyone looking for information on the upcoming event: Climate Adaptation – A Conversation with Roger Street (UKCIP) or the Climate Change Graduate Research Symposium you have come to the right place!

Both events will be held on the 24th of November in the York Research Tower on York University’s Keele Campus. Directions to a ‘Conversation with Roger Street’ can be found here and those to the graduate research symposium can be accessed through the following link. .

A final agenda for both events will be posted closer to the date.

CC-RAI Graduate Research Symposium, November 24th, York Research Tower

CC-RAI and Knowledge Mobilization look forward to supporting a day full of lively discussion and dialogue around the challenges posed by a changing climate and the need for climate adaptation.

This event is generously supported by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) 

SSHRC Case Study: Region of Peel's Active Transportation Initiative "Walk and Roll Peel"

As part of the Public Outreach Grant SSHRC interns had the opportunity to work with policy partners on profiling some of their current projects. Over the next few weeks CC-RAI will be highlighting that work as part of series of climate change related case studies. The case studies were developed by all of the SSHRC interns in partnership with Knowledge Mobilization and their respective hosts, including the City of Toronto’s Environment Office, Region of Peel, York Region, Durham Region, ACER and the TRCA.

The Region of Peel initiative aims to encourage active transportation to realize health, environmental and social benefits among residents. It one of the ways the Region of Peel aims to encourage more sustainable living and address some the issues associated with a changing climate. If you want more information visit Walk and Roll Peel!

SSHRC Case Study: Toronto's Hot Weather Response Plan - Minimizing the Effects of Extreme Heat

As part of the Public Outreach Grant SSHRC interns had the opportunity to work with policy partners on profiling some of their current projects. Over the next few weeks CC-RAI will be highlighting that work as part of series of climate change related case studies. The case studies were developed by all of the SSHRC interns in partnership with Knowledge Mobilization and their respective hosts, including the City of Toronto’s Environment Office, Region of Peel, York Region, Durham Region, ACER and the TRCA.

TRCA's The Living City Campus at the Kortright Centre - a model for sustainability

As part of the Public Outreach Grant SSHRC interns had the opportunity to work with policy partners on profiling some of their current projects. Over the next few weeks CC-RAI will be highlighting that work as part of series of climate change related case studies. The case studies were developed by all of the SSHRC interns in partnership with Knowledge Mobilization and their respective hosts, including the City of Toronto’s Environment Office, Region of Peel, York Region, Durham Region, ACER and the TRCA.