climatechange

Welcome!

Welcome to the Global Climate Change blog, hosted by Nancy Margulies and Amy Lenzo of the World Café.

At this time in human history we need each other more than ever to address the challenges and make the changes that can reverse the present environmental trends. Global climate change can refer to the political, social and cultural “climate” as well, all of which need to be addressed if we are to shift the way we live on this planet.

Share your thoughts with us; we'll post them and together we can make a difference!  You can click on the word "comments" below any post to respond to the ideas shared within it.

An Up-date from Nancy Margulies

In October I will be hosting a World Café group of people who facilitate The Climate Project for Al Gore's organization. As a followup to viewing An Inconvenient Truth groups around the country could experience Climate Change Cafes. The event in October will be the initial exploration into this possibility.

I have also introduced the World Café to students at the Presidio School of Management and the Bainbridge Graduate Institute. These two "Green MBA" programs focus on changing business for good -- bringing social justice and sustainability into the heart of business.

Please write to us and share your experiences with Climate Change Café and other variations on the World Café that serve the issue of environmental and social sustainability. Thanks! - Nancy

Energie-Cités in Brussels in 2009

Energie-Cités is pleased to inform you that its 14th Annual conference, which is organized this year jointly with Climate Alliance, will take place in Brussels on 22-24 April 2009.

For more information, or to register, see the Energie-Cités website.

Transition Towns

Tom Atlee has been sharing his thoughts with us and other groups about something called the Transition Handbook, which was developed by a fellow in the UK, called Rob Hopkins. Here's a video Hopkins made a year or so ago, just to introduce you to his concepts, and then I'll share Tom's letter.

The Business of Doing Good

Listen to this podcast of a wonderful report on The Business of Doing Good -- and how it can also be powerful and profitable , by Jonathan Greenblatt, co-founder of Ethos Water and a former VP of consumer products at Starbucks Coffee Company.

A new generation's convergence of sustainability and social justice, Johnathan Greenblatt is now with GOOD, a magazine for people who want to live well and do good.

Paradise Unpaved

FireHawk Hulin 'Stumbled" me a link to this great visual story by illustrator/author Franke James. Franke's story of battling the powers that be to create a little beauty and health in her front yard is the perfect antidote to Joni Mitchell's famous lament "Pave paradise, put up a parking lot."

Click the image to "read" the rest of the story (and while you're there, check out the others she's created on the subject of global climate change and what we can each do about it).