H.O.M.E. heads to the US Social Forum in Detroit
Join Pat Mooney and Molly Kane from ETC Group in Detroit (22-24 June)
False Solutions and Real Solutions to Climate Change
The challenge of global climate disruption has created new opportunities for corporate profiteering, marketing of “technofixes” and further commodification of the earth. Many of these “false solutions” will in fact worsen global warming and stand in the way of changes that must be made. Policies to market carbon and offset emissions, Geoengineering, unproven and costly technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration (“clean coal”), “advanced” bioenergy, GMO “climate ready” crops, nuclear expansion, and natural gas as a “bridge fuel” are all examples of false solutions. Real solutions do exist! This workshop will begin with discussion of false solutions and their direct impacts on our communities.
Thurs. Jun 24 2010 – 1-5 pm
Cobo Hall: D3-22
Sponsored by: Institute for Social Ecology and partners
Biofuels, Biomass, Bio-Economy: One Big Bio-mess
Can we replace fossil fuels with plant-based fuels? What are the trends and implications for food, agriculture, forests, biodiversity, human rights and climate? The bulk of supports for renewable energy are directed to “bio” energy, based on the assumption that agricultural crops and trees are infinitely “renewable” and that refining or burning them is “clean and green”. But this myth is unraveling. Diverting grains into biofuels has impacted food production, increased fertilizer use, and left rural economies burdened with a collapsing industry. Meanwhile burning wood and other forms of biomass incineration for heat and electricity is escalating. The result is more industrial burners polluting the air in our communities, and a massive demand for biomass that seriously threatens forests, farms and waterways. Genetically engineered trees and microbes, are being developed to produce fuels and other “bioproducts”. A reality check on the meaning of “renewable, clean and green” and strategies for opposing this “false solution” will be discussed.
Thursday June 24th, 1 pm to 3 pm
WA: Woodward Academy, Rm 1473
sponsored by: Biofuelwatch
More information: Molly Kane: 613 797 6421
