By Ande Finley
Special to the Weekly
All eyes are on Paris these days after the recent terrorist’s attacks/ Nov. the world is watching as delegates gather from over 190 countries for COP21, the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Organizers state that the objective of the 2015 conference is to achieve, for the first time in over 20 years, a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, from all the nations of the world. Lopezian Kai Sanburn marched from Amsterdam to Paris with Urgenda, to heighten awareness of the upcoming climate talks and plans to participate in actions during the conference.
To commemorate the start of the talks Transition Lopez Island is planning a Paris Party on Monday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Lopez Center for Community and the Arts, featuring a French dessert potluck, the launch of the Green Ribbon Campaign here in the islands, and the debut of the movie version of Naomi Klein’s blockbuster book, “This Changes Everything.”
Started by a small group of friends in Nova Scotia, the Green Ribbon Campaign was inspired by actors at the 2015 Emmy Awards wearing green ribbons to signal support of climate actions, solutions, and justice. The campaign hopes to make broad concern for the climate visible, open the door for conversations across the political spectrum, and remind participants to make climate-friendly decisions in their daily lives.
The just released film, “This Changes Everything” is an epic attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change. Inspired by Naomi Klein’s international non-fiction bestseller of the same name, the film presents seven powerful portraits of communities on the front lines. Throughout the film, Klein builds to her most controversial and exciting idea: that we can seize the existential crisis of climate change to transform our failed economic system into something radically better. This event is in support of a positive outcome for COP21, and bringing meaningful awareness to what we can all do now to build a carbon-free future for ourselves and our children.
Nancy Wynen, vicar of Grace Church, and Beth Purdum, pastor of Lutheran Church in the San Juans, recently led a group of islanders through a six week analysis of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si, subtitled “On Care for Our Common Home.” The Pope strongly critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments the effects of environmental degradation and global warming, and exhorts all the people of the world to take “swift and unified global action.” As a direct result of this discussion, committees are forming on Lopez to address a wide range of issues in our “common home,” including transportation, housing, food, community sharing, and carbon footprint awareness. Contact gracechurchlopez@rockisland.com if you are interested in joining one of these groups or would like more information.
Choose to be part of the solution starting with the Paris Party on Nov. 30 6:30 p.m. at LCCA.
