Ethics and Ecological Economics Forum

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THIS PAGE HAS MOVED TO: https://eeeforum.org/

THIS PAGE HAS MOVED TO: https://eeeforum.org/



“The Challenge at the Heart of Climate Change”

  • Occurred Monday, October 21st, 1:30 – 3:00pm

Updated with SLIDES:

Bill Becker, Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Action Project and October EEE Forum speaker, has kindly made available his slide presentation, “The Challenge at the Heart of Climate Change.” Bill has included sources for the charts and graphs and links to more information in the “Notes” section of the appropriate slides.

Bill also writes occasional blogs on these and other policy topics, and distributes them to about 300 thought leaders. If any EEE Forum colleague would like to be added to his distribution list, send him an email at beckerncs@gmail.com.

Many thanks also to Martin Voelker, Colorado Renewable Energy Society and Colorado 350.org leader, for videotaping Mr. Becker’s presentation. The tape is available at the CRES Youtube channel.

And finally, our gratitude to Terry Tice for calling our attention to Naomi Klein’s latest book, On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal

The Presidential Climate Action Projecthttp://pcap2016.org/) is a 12-year-old initiative that works with U.S. thought leaders to develop recommendations on clean energy and climate action for the President of the United States and Congress. In addition to his duties as Executive Director, William Becker is a Senior Associate at Natural Capitalism Solutions, an adviser to the Environment and Energy Study Group in Washington D.C., and a member of Mikhail Gorbachev’s international Climate Change Task Force based in Geneva.

Prior to founding PCAP, Bill served for 15 years as a senior official at the U.S. Department of Energy specializing in building partnerships to accelerate the market penetration of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. He has also specialized throughout his career in helping communities understand and practice sustainability, including disaster-affected communities planning their recovery. For example, he has led or participated on expert teams deployed to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Thailand after the 2004 tsunami. Bill is also the author of The 100 Day Action Plan to Save the Planet: A Climate Crisis Solution for the 44th President (New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2008).

Bill writes: “My thought for the overall theme is the ethical/moral disconnect that has brought us to this crisis, and how the disconnect can be fixed. The use of the term ‘Anthropocene’ recognizes our pervasive influence on the biosphere, but we have not sufficiently acknowledged that our well-being, and even our survival, is inextricably bound with nature. . . . In fact, we have yet to acknowledge our co-dependence within own species, . . . The Paris agreement is, in essence, a recognition of our interdependence with all other nations in regard to climate change, but the bigger breakthrough would be to accept our place in the biosphere.”

These events are free and open to the public, courtesy of the Iliff School of Theology. Please share this announcement with others who may be interested. The purpose, structure, and recent topics and presenters of the EEE Forum are described in the one-page attachment. Your RSVP for this Forum by Friday, Oct. 18th, is requested but not required; please contact Forum founder and convener David Carlson at davidcarlson824@gmail.com. Let us know if you do not wish to receive notices of future EEE Forums. For directions and campus parking ($2.00/hour), see http://www.iliff.edu/about/parking-directions.

 *********************

updated with the handouts below

Sept 16th, 2019; Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy: Pathways toward a Green New Deal

Dr. Anders Fremstad, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, CSU

Monday, September 16th, 1:30 – 3:00pm

Iliff School of Theology Library (2323 E. Iliff Avenue)

Putting a price on carbon is widely recognized by economists and other policy makers as a fundamental strategy for reducing the quantity of greenhouse gases generated annually around the world.  (See, for example, William Nordhaus’ Nobel acceptance speech in Stockholm last December (https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/2018/nordhaus/lecture/), His speech centers on the necessity of pricing carbon and his novel notion of “climate clubs” to address the “free rider” problem.)

Dr. Fremstad’s lecture makes the case that carbon pricing is a necessary but insufficient strategy for addressing climate change. The talk will focus on three key “pillars” to decarbonize the U.S. economy: establish a carbon dividend, pass additional targeted regulation, and increase public investment. He writes:

“I teach courses in microeconomics, environmental economics, and political economy. My current research focuses on the sharing economy, household and urban economies in carbon emissions, and the distributional impact of carbon mitigation policy. Outside of economics, I enjoy hiking, biking, traveling, and chess.”


May 13th, part 2: – Improving Climate Change Dialogue through Personal Storytelling

Facilitated by Dr. Maria Talero
FLIER: Two EEE Forums to Improve Climate Change Communication

HANDOUT Part 2Welcome to Bridging Divides_Personal Storytelling

This is the second session of Dr. Maria Talero’s 2-part “learning lab” on Improving Climate Change Dialogue. In the first session on April 15th(see below), Dr. Talero presented a basic “map” of different worldviews for understanding the cultural dynamics of polarization in climate change communication. In this second session, we’ll use this map, combined with personal storytelling, to practice creating authentic connection with people in our spheres of influence who don’t share our worldview.

If you didn’t attend the first session, no problem. A copy of Dr. Talero’s 4-page handout from the first session can be found here: Summary of part 1: learning lab: 2019.04.15 Welcome To Worldviews_Collective Knowledge

In  preparation for our May 13th session, Dr. Talero encourages all of us to do some “homework.” She writes:

Think of the people in your sphere of influence whose worldview is probably different from yours but who might fall in the ‘persuadable middle’ when it comes to political issues you care about. Try to sit down and make an actual list of names so you can visualize them more clearly. You don’t need to bring the actual list with you – instead, join us on May 1`3th with a rough and ready mental list of real people in your life that you might have some influence over whose worldview is likely different from yours in significant ways. This is a great warm-up for our work o personal storytelling across worldviews!

To learn more about Dr. Talero and her novel approach to improving climate change communication, visit http://climatecourage.cc/ and view the 2-minute YouTube clip, “Climate Change Education and Organizing,” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-zPh1pwZGA

This event is free and open to the public, courtesy of the Iliff School of Theology. Please share this announcement with others who may be interested. Your RSVP for the May 13th Forum by Friday, May 10th, is requested but not required; please contact Forum founder and Convener David Carlson at davidcarlson824@gmail.com. Also, let us know if you do not wish to receive notices of future EEE Forums. For directions and campus parking ($2.00/hour), see http://www.iliff.edu/about/parking-directions.


Part 1: April 15thUnderstanding How Worldviews Divide Us/Using Our Collective Knowledge to Map the Divides 

HANDOUT Part 1: Welcome To Worldviews_Collective Knowledge

Dr. Maria Talero, the founder of Climate Courage, LLC, will be leading a 2-part series on improving climate change communication for the April 15th and May 13th EEE Forums. Each Monday session will combine focused learning with hands-on, workshop-style activities to foster effective climate change dialogue:

Dr. Talero writes: I am a bilingual, Colombian educator, facilitator and consultant with 20 years’ experience in education (I was formerly a full-time philosophy professor). I design social learning environments that foster authentic, courageous communication and engagement on climate change as well as other social justice and environmental issues. I partner with non-profits, faith communities, and educational and grassroots organizations across the Front Range to deliver custom-designed community engagement packages in English and Spanish.

To learn more about Dr. Talero and her novel approach to improving climate change communication, visit http://climatecourage.cc/ and view the 2-minute YouTube clip, “Climate Change Education and Organizing,” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-zPh1pwZGA


The EEE forum meets once a month September through May, EXCEPT for December.

EEE Book and Link suggestions: click here


March 25th, 2019 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. –

SLIDES posted 4/8/2019; updated corrected copy 4/13/2019

“Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Farming in Colorado,”

WHEN: Monday, March 25th, 1:30 – 3:00pm
WHERE: Library Portico, Iliff School of Theology (2323 E. Iliff Ave.)
SPONSORED BY Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum at Iliff

To what extent are current patterns of U.S. agricultural production contributing to global climate change? To what extent are changes being made in the U.S. – and in Colorado – to develop more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems?

According to a recent USDA report, agriculture and forestry contributed about 10% of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2016. “Crop and pasture soil management generates the most GHG emissions, due largely to the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers and other nutrients. Enteric fermentation (digestion in ruminant livestock) and manure management ranks second.” (See https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/climate-change/agriculture-and-climate-change/)

Interest and action are growing nationally and in Colorado to develop systems of agricultural production that reduce dependence upon fossil fuels (including natural gas-derived nitrogen-based fertilizers). A working definition of “regenerative organic agriculture” is provided by the Robert Rodale:

“Soil health affects everything from plant health to human well-being and the future of our planet. Regenerative prioritizes soil health while simultaneously encompassing high standards for animal welfare and worker fairness. The idea is to create farm systems that work in harmony with nature to improve quality of life for every creature involved.” (https://rodaleinstitute.org/why-organic/organic-basics/regenerative-organic-agriculture/)

In a nutshell, regenerative is more than sustainable. Robert Rodale explains the difference in a 3-minute video on the above website.

This event is free and open to the public, courtesy of the Iliff School of Theology. Please share this announcement with others who may be interested. Your RSVP by Friday, March 22nd, is requested but not required; please contact Forum founder and Convener David Carlson at davidcarlson824@gmail.com. Let us know if you do not wish to receive notices of future EEE Forums. For directions and campus parking ($2.00/hour), see http://www.iliff.edu/about/parking-directions/ An updated statement of the Forum’s purpose and a list of recent topics and speakers are attached.

ABOUT (updated 3/2019): 20019.03.14 About the Ethics and Ecological Economics Forum


March 4th follow up to 2/25/19 EEE Forum: Green new Deal:
From Doug Alde – through David Carlson:

Here is a Washington Post Editorial that addresses the Green New Deal. It essentially states the Citizens’ Climate Lobby position for addressing climate change — although it is not sufficient condition to address climate change, a revenue-neutral policy like H.R.763 is necessary to reach the necessary reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Senator Gardner along with Senator Graham have announced the formation of a new bicameral caucus, The Roosevelt Conservation Caucus (named after Teddy Roosevelt), to focus on “Republican values of conservation and environmental protection.” It will “address and counteract centralized big government solutions with market-based solutions to environmental issues.”

They will be joined by Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Brian Mast (R-FL), who will lead the House side of the caucus. Stefanik and Mast are both members of the Clmate Solutions Caucus, which indicates to me that this is probably more than a ‘greenwash’ efforti.

Links to two articles, from Time Magazine and the Washington Examiner, give further details. In particular, the Examiner article expresses this from a conservative point-of-view.

The Green New Deal Helped Spur These Republicans to Start a ‘Conservation Caucus’ – Time Magazine

Republicans launch new caucus to counteract the Green New Deal – Washington Examiner

Washington Post article here: Want a Green New Deal – here’s a better one: Want a Green New Deal Here’s a better one. – The Washington Post – Print

Republicans are slowly but surely moving on this! Onward and Upward — Doug


February 25th, 2019

THE GREEN NEW DEAL: IS IT NEW? IS IT VITAL FOR OUR FUTURE?

SLIDES/COMMENTS:

On February 7th, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) introduced resolutions in the House and Senate, calling for the “Federal Government to create a Green New Deal [GND].”

In brief, the GND proposes that the federal government take the lead in responding comprehensively to the growing threats of climate change, wage stagnation, income inequality, and the inaccessibility of basic needs (“such as clean air, clean water, healthy food and adequate health care, housing, transportation, and education”) for “a significant portion of the United States population.”  A copy of the 14-page House Resolution can be found here: 2019.02.07 House Resolution calling for a Green New Deal

Three panelists will share perspectives on the proposed GND before group discussion:
Rev. Peter Sawtell, founder and Executive Director, Eco-Justice Ministries;
Dr. Sheila Davis, MD, and Assistant Research Professor, University College, University of Denver;
Phil Nelson, Ph.D., Citizens’ Climate Lobby chair, Golden chapter

Eco-Justice founder and Executive Director Peter Sawtell recently posted this Eco-Justice Note, “The GND: Evolution, not Progress” (http://www.eco-justice.org/E-190208.asp).  In addition to his own comments on GND, Peter writes:  “For a valuable primer on what is going on in — and behind — the resolution, I point you to an article in Vox by David Roberts (a journalist that I greatly respect) which  provides a clear and comprehensive analysis.”

On February 25th, we’ll lead off with brief statements from Peter and 2-3 others before opening it up for group discussion. Please familiarize yourself with the GND Resolution beforehand!

Early commentaries on the proposed GND range from “thinking big” (Eugene Robinson, Washington Post) to “nothing new” (Jarrett Stepman, Daily Signal). (See https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-green-new-deal-sounds-like-pie-in-the-sky-but-we-need-it/2019/02/07/8cc891c4-2b1b-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html?utm_term=.b3fe4c77695e and https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/02/07/theres-nothing-new-about-the-green-new-deal/, respectively.)

This event is free and open to the public, courtesy of the Iliff School of Theology. Please share this announcement with others who may be interested. Your RSVP by Friday, February 22nd is requested but not required; please contact Forum Founder and Convener David Carlson at davidcarlson824@gmail.com. Let us know if you do not wish to receive notices of future EEE Forums.
An updated statement of the Forum’s purpose, structure, and history is HERE.

For directions and campus parking ($2.00/hour), see http://www.iliff.edu/about/parking-directions/



Monday January 14th:
REGENERATIVE ECONOMICS AND COLORADO OPPORTUNITIES

SPEAKER: HUNTER LOVINS, President & Founder, Natural Capitalism Solutions

SLIDES: Hunter Lovins20190114OPT – PDF 

WHERE: Library Portico, Iliff School of Theology (2323 E. Iliff Ave.)
SPONSORED BY: Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum

“Humanity’s collision with planetary boundaries requires a radical rethink of economic theory and practice.” –A Finer Future: Economics in Service to Life (2018)

Our speaker, Hunter Lovins, and three other co-authors seek to replace the dominant narrative of growth-based neoliberal economics with regenerative economics—based upon “patterns and principles that nature (living and nonliving alike) uses to build stable, healthy, and sustainable systems throughout the world” (p. 62). Is a timely shift to regenerative economics possible? How can Coloradans support and sustain an economy in service of life?

The mission of Natural Capitalism Solutions “is to educate senior decision-makers in business, government and civil society about how to implement more regenerative practices profitably. In partnership with leading thinkers and organizations, Natural Capitalism Solutions creates innovative, practical tools and implementation strategies for companies, communities and countries” (www.natcapsolutions.org). One of its programs promotes carbon farming—“the explicit use of agriculture to sequester and store carbon in soil and vegetation” (www.coloradocarbonfund.org).

“A renowned author and champion of sustainable development for over 35 years, Hunter has consulted on sustainable agriculture, energy, water, security, and climate policies for scores of governments, communities, and companies worldwide. Within the United States, she has consulted for the Presidential Cabinet, Department of Defense, EPA, Department of Energy and numerous state and local agencies.” Hunter is also a member of the transition team for Colorado Governor-elect, Jared Polis.


2018 SYNOPSIS (LINKS BELOW)

THANKS: Many thanks to our Forum presenters in 2018!

–JAN: *Chris Stiffler, Economist, Colorado Fiscal Institute

— FEB: *David Carlson, EEE Forum Convener; Kathleen Wells and Douglas Alde, Citizens’ Climate Lobby; Paul Belanger and Ron Larson, New Energy Colorado

–MAR: *Paul Belanger, New Energy Colorado; and Betsy Neely, Climate Change Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy

–APR: *Paul Sutton, Professor, DU Dept. of Geography and the Environment

–MAY: Denise Whinnen, Director of Colorado Programs, the Gill Foundation

–SEP: *Mike Silverstein, Executive Director, Regional Air Quality Council

–OCT: *Chrissy Esposito and Karam Ahmad, Policy Analysts, Colorado Health Institute

–NOV: *Ned Calonge, President and CEO, The Colorado Trust

*Indicates that a PowerPoint presentation is available on the EEE Forum



Monday November 12th, 2018 1:30 – 3:00pm

Health Equity for ALL Coloradans by Dr. Ned Calonge, President and CEO The Colorado Trust

PRESENTATION SLIDES: Iliff PRESENTATION PDF 11/12/2018

Although there is no universally accepted definition of “health equity,” The Colorado Trust (www.coloradotrust.org ) takes it to mean “ending inequalities that affect racial, ethnic, low-income and other vulnerable populations, so that everyone will have fair and equal opportunities to achieve good health.” Evidently, then, health equity is integral to the human and ecological well being of all Coloradans.

Since 1985, “The Trust has worked closely with communities and nonprofit organizations in every county across the state to the improve health and well-being of Coloradans . . . . More recently, The Trust began a new strategy aimed at empowering resident-led initiatives to advance health equity at the community level.”

Our speaker, Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, became President and CEO of The Colorado Trust in 2010. Prior to joining The Trust, he served as Chief Medical Officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Chief of the Department of Preventive Medicine for the Colorado Permanente Medical Group. Dr. Calonge also was a family physician for 10 years.

 


Monday, October 15th, 

Climate and Health in Colorado
WHERE: Library Portico, Iliff School of Theology (2323 E. Iliff Ave.)
SPEAKERS: CHRISSY ESPOSITO and KARAM AHMAD, Colorado Health Institute
SPONSORED BY: Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum at Iliff

Post meeting links and highlights:

Climate change is affecting public health in many ways. For example, climate change influences air quality levels and the frequency and intensity of food-borne illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and heat-related illnesses. This EEE Forum is the second in a series this fall on “Addressing Public Health and Climate Change.”

Our speakers from the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) will brief us on the Institute’s recent report on the climate and health connection in Colorado, “Colorado’s Climate, Colorado’s Health: Examining the Connection.” In addition, they will provide a group activity on climate communication and an introduction to the Institute’s “Health and Climate Index” (not yet released). CHI (www.coloradohealthinstitute.org) provides evidence-based data and information to inform policy, advance health, promote collaboration and support better access to care for all Coloradans.

Chrissy Esposito and Karam Ahmad are policy analysts with CHI. Each earned a master’s degree in public health from the Colorado School of Public Health at Colorado State University in 2016. Ms. Esposito is also a co-author of the CHI report and a specialist in data visualization. Mr. Ahmad is a contributing author for this report. He is especially interested in the concept of OneHealth – exploring the notion that environmental, animal and human/social determinants of health are coexisting realms and must be approached as such.

On a global scale, the deep interconnection between climate change and health is vividly presented in a new three-minute video by Kaiser Permanente, “Climate Change: It’s About Health.” It’s available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeih2v4P25A&t=0s. Kaiser Permanente is also a major player in the recently formed California Health Care Climate Alliance. The Alliance seeks not only to reduce the carbon footprint of the health care system in California, but also to advocate for laws and regulations to support the state’s climate plan. For more information, see https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/california-health-systems-form-alliance-to-advise-on-climate-change-laws-regulations.html. Is there a similar movement underway in Colorado?

 


September 17th, 2018

Addressing Public Health and Climate Change: The Colorado Climate Plan

SPEAKER: MIKE SILVERSTEIN, Executive Director, Denver Regional Air Quality Council

WHEN: Monday, September 17th, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Library Portico, Iliff School of Theology (2323 E. Iliff Ave.)
SPONSORED BY: Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum

post-meeting links to slides and handouts: For a copy of the PowerPoint presentation on Public Health and the Colorado Climate Plan at the September 17th EEE Forum – link below (3rd and 4th bulleted links):

Climate change is affecting public health in many ways. For example, climate change influences air quality levels and the frequency and intensity of food-borne illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and heat-related illnesses. Beginning with the state Climate Plan, the September and October EEE Forums will examine some initiatives in Colorado and beyond to understand such connections and develop effective responses.

Mike Silverstein, the new executive Director of the Denver Regional Air Quality Council, is well-positioned to provide an overview of the Public Health section of the Colorado Climate Plan. Mike is a former employee of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment—the lead state agency responsible for the Public Health component of the state Climate Plan.

We shall also touch briefly on public health/climate change actions beyond Colorado, such as the California Health Care Climate Alliance—recently formed by Kaiser Permanente and three other large health systems to advocate for climate-smart policies.



September 21-22:

Our Heritage, Our Future: What Can and Will We Do Together:

  • Those interested to contact me at marie@rapidshift.net.  The conference was held at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, just off of I-70.  This will also be co-sponsored by Call to Action, Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, and hopefully yourselves!  In fact, we need to meet soon to start planning it, think about how to organize and invite presentations.  The way they do it for the Common Bound conference is one model.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/217447222457761/

Thursday May 24th, 2018: “An Alternative Measure of Economic Well-Being: Applying the Genuine Progress Indicator at the State Level in Colorado”


Presented by
Chris Stiffler
Colorado Fiscal Institute

Dear Friends of the Ethics and Ecological Economics Forum,

Dr. Paul Sutton, DU Dept. of Geography and the Environment, has kindly forwarded the following announcement of a Department Colloquium on the Genuine Progress Indicator as applied to Colorado this Thursday afternoon, 4:00-5:00pm; pre-Colloquium Coffee and Tea Social, 3:45-4:00pm. Location: Boettcher Hall (aka Center), Room 101.  See flier CLICK HERE for more information.

The speaker, Mr. Chris Stiffler, is an economist with the Colorado Fiscal Institute and an adjunct professor of economics at DU.  He is the author of two recent reports on Colorado’s Genuine Progress Indicator, available at www.coloradofiscal.org. See slides in January (similar): Measuring Genuine Progress pdf: – GPI DU seminar Chris Stiffler



MONDAY: May 21, 2018 –“The Colorado Narrative Project: Changing Priorities, Maintaining Core Values”

  •  SLIDES WILL BE FORTHCOMING

sponsored by the Ethics and Ecological Economics Forum

 A fundamental principle of communication is: “know your audience.” Are you and your organization, agency, or institution regularly sending messages to Coloradans about human and ecological wellbeing, about earth justice and social justice? If so, would it be helpful for you to learn more about the core values and shifting priorities of the residents of our state?

Ms. Denise Whinnen, Director of Colorado Programs for the Gill Foundation, will share insights from the Colorado Narrative Project, which has mapped the mindset of mainstream Coloradans to understand their pain points, anxieties, goals and aspirations. As Director, she manages a diverse set of portfolios that invest to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to thrive and builds a strong middle class.

This EEE Forum is free and open to the public, courtesy of the Iliff School of Theology. Please share this announcement with others who may be interested. Your RSVP by Thursday, May 18th, is requested but not required; please contact Forum Founder and Convener Dr. David Carlson at davidcarlson824@gmail.com. Let us know if you do not wish to receive notices of future EEE Forums. For directions and campus parking ($1.50/hour), see http://www.iliff.edu/about/parking-directions/.


May 17th: Dr. Paul Sutton, DU Professor of Geography and the Environment and our April EEE speaker, has kindly forwarded the following announcement. See this flyer for more information: 2018.05.17 Pedro_Zabensky_Talk (2)

“Fostering Ethical Living”: 4:00pm Thursday, May 17th
University of Denver
Anderson Academic Commons [“Library”] – “The Loft”

Pedro Tabensky
Allan Gray Centre for Leadership Ethics
Department of Philosophy
Rhodes University, South Africa



Video link forthcoming for Thursday April 26th presentation @ CRES YouTube Channel (includes other archived videos):

More on Biochardenverclimatestudygroup.com on BIOCHAR

INFO on talk: Biochar2018-April2018


April 23rd, 2018: Monday, April 23rd, 1:30 – 3:00pm

Behavioral Economics and the Prospects of a New Economic System Based on Wellbeing
BY: Prof. Paul Sutton, DU Dept. of Geography and the Environment Paul Sutton

Slides and links:

This Forum will build upon the January EEE Forum’s theme of “Measuring Economic Well-Being: The Genuine Progress Indicator.” Professor Paul Sutton, DU Dept. of Geography and the Environment, will speak about the vision and strategies of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WE-ALL)—a recently-established organization committed to addressing the above problem globally (http://www.wellbeingeconomy.org/).


MONDAY March 26TH: CO2 Removal and Nature Conservancy presentation by Betsy Neely + What is and the Need for Biochar by Paul Belanger

slides and links added below
Handout: 2018.03.26x Nat Climate Solutions Forum handout half-page

Part AWhy PRICING IS NOT ENOUGH & WHY WE NEED SEQUESTRATION! – Paul Belanger

Part B: NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS – Betsy Neely

How great a contribution can nature itself—e.g., forests, grasslands, wetlands, etc.—make to storing and reducing global carbon emissions?

Ms. Betsy Neely, Climate Change Program Manager for the The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Colorado, will speak about TNC’s new report, “Nature’s Make or Break Potential for Climate Change,” and her work in climate change. TNC’s new report is available at https://global.nature.org/initiatives/natural-climate-solutions/natures-make-or-break-potential-for-climate-change

“New research by TNC and 15 other institutions . . . demonstrates that nature-based solutions provide up to 37 percent of the emissions reductions needed be 2030 to keep global temperature increases under 2 degrees Celsius—30 percent more than previously estimated.”

Betsy Neely slides:

Part C: Biochar and Related Soil Restoration Solutions: Paul Belanger & Ron Larson



MONDAY FEBRUARY 26th, 2018: PRESENTATION SLIDES BELOW “Carbon Pricing: Signs of Bi-partisanship”

 

There is broad agreement among economists across the political spectrum that establishing a price on carbon is a key step toward substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. But are bipartisan efforts among national advocacy groups on the rise?

One sign of growing bipartisanship is the Climate Solutions Caucus (spearheaded by Citizens Climate Lobby: climate-solutions-caucus ) in the House of Representatives, established in February 2016, The Caucus currently has 68 members—intentionally split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Another sign is the newly-formed Climate Leadership Council (CLCclcouncil.org/ launched one year ago by senior Republican leadership.

The Climate Leadership Council has proposed a Carbon Dividends plan that is remarkably similar to the Fee and Dividend proposal of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL). After a brief review of carbon pricing, CCL members will provide an overview of both plans, plus additional signs of bipartisanship and an update on current national legislation.

 This event is free and open to the public, courtesy of the Iliff School of Theology. Please forward this invitation to others who may be interested. Your RSVP by Thursday, February 22nd, is requested but not required. For directions and campus parking ($1.50/hour), see PARKING & DIRECTIONS.

SLIDES: Carbon Pricing – Signs of Bipartisanship and the Need for More

  1.  David Carlson: Part 1 – Brief Overview of Carbon Pricing:  CLICK HERE
  2. Kathleen Wells: Part 2 – CCL Presentation, Climate Caucus/ Fed and State  Updates: CLICK HERE
  3. Douglas Alde: Part 3 – Climate Leadership Council and Other Conservative NGOs: CLICK HERE
  4. Paul Belanger & Ron Larson: Part 4 – Limitations of Carbon Pricing and the Need for CO2 Removal: CLICK HERE

REFERENCED ARTICLES and/or Links:



FOLLOW UP TO JANUARY 16TH: EMAIL FROM PAUL SUTTON: NEW SLIDES –Measuring Genuine Progress pdf: – GPI DU seminar Chris Stiffler

DU recently produced an ‘Engaging Ideas’ piece with me on ‘Valuing Nature’ that many of you may find interesting: https://www.du.edu/ideas/interview-videos/valuing-nature.html#

I have also attached a paper on changes to the global value of ecosystem services Costanza et al GEC 2014 and a draft of a paper on a well-being economy that we might like to discuss.: DRAFT: Toward a Sustainable Wellbeing Economy v4
The links below are some ‘easy access’ pieces of related work on the web:

Professor Paul C. Sutton, Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Denver, 2050 East Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO  80208-0710
Google Scholar Site: http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=cplEVLkAAAAJ&hl=en

Tuesday, January 16th FORUM, from 1:30 to 3:00 P.M.:

It is commonly acknowledged that Gross Domestic Product (GDP)  is seriously deficient as the basis for measuring the well-being of a society—or even its economic well-being. Not only does GDP fail to incorporate the nonmarket environmental and social costs of increased production and consumption of goods and resources; it also ignores, for example, the distribution of income and wealth in a society.

In this January Forum, we examined some alternatives to GDP as a measure of economic well-being and consider the relevance of such alternatives to the need to address climate change effectively.

Our presenter will be Mr. Chris Stiffler, an economist with the Colorado Fiscal Institute and author of two recent reports (see links below) on Colorado’s Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI). The GPI was created in 1995 by Redefining Progress out of the belief that “if policymakers measure what really matters to people—health care, safety, a clean environment, and other indicators of well-being—economic policy would naturally shift towards sustainability” (www.rprogress.org). Mr. Stiffler will lead a discussion of the flaws of GDP, what is omitted in the GDP calculation that GPI tries to correct, and what the GPI says about well-being in Colorado.

“Colorado’s Genuine Progress Indicator [GPI]: A Comprehensive Metric of Economic Well-Being in Colorado from 1960-2011”; 74 pages with a 5-page Executive Summary, available at
http://www.coloradofiscal.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/GPI-Final-Paper.pdf

“Colorado’s Genuine Progress Indicator [GPI]: An Update – A Comprehensive Metric of Economic Well-Being in Colorado from 1960-2012”; 17 pages, available at http://www.coloradofiscal.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/CO-GPI-update-report.pdf

Maryland also tracks 12 primary indicators that comprise the GPI for the state and uses results to create “Sustainability scenarios.” (See http://dnr.maryland.gov/mdgpi/Pages/default.aspx.)

As usual, please forward this invitation to others who may be interested. Your RSVP by Friday, January 12th, is requested but not required. For directions and campus parking ($1.50/hour), see http://www.iliff.edu/about/parking-directions/.

Best regards, David Carlson, Convener, Ph.D.; Founder and Convener, Ethics and Ecological Economics Forum/ davidcarlson824@gmail.com 


PAST MEETING ARCHIVES for 2017: includes post-meeting notes and attachments:

2017


 May 15th – 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Concern for the ecological integrity of the planet and the well-being of its inhabitants, human and nonhuman, continues to rise. Resistance to current trends is increasing.

What is the nature of resistance? Does resistance entail more than opposition? Are there compelling connections between the political and the spiritual, as philosopher and Holocaust scholar Roger Gottlieb contends?

In A Spirituality of Resistance: Finding a Peaceful Heart and Protecting the Earth (London: Rowman & Littlefield, 2003), Gottlieb writes: How are we to live with the truth? When we do move beyond avoidance and denial, how are we to retain any sense of joy in life? How can we keep from succumbing to dread or despair? (Two excerpts are attached for further reading.) 2003 GOTTLIEB two excerpts from A Spirituality of Resistance copy

On Monday afternoon, May 15th, the Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum will engage perspectives on these questions from Dr. Gottlieb, other authors, and the experiences and insights of those attending. 


April 17th, from 1:30 to 3:30pm

What is the outlook this year for developing and maintaining constructive international and domestic policies and actions in response to the growing challenges of climate change?

 On Monday, April 17th, from 1:30 to 3:30pm, a panel of three DU professors and an Environmental Defense Fund representative will address this timely issue in Room 1020 of the Sie International Relations Complex at the University of Denver. These four panelists engaged this topic last fall, one week after elections. They are:

Dale S. Rothman is an Associate Professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies and a former Senior Scientist at the Frederick  S. Pardee Center for International Futures. His professional interests include: environment and development, ecological economics, systems analysis, scenario analysis, and computer simulation.

Pamela Campos is a senior attorney in EDF’s Climate and Energy program advocating to address climate change and air quality issues on a regional, national, and international scale. She works with broad coalitions of stakeholders and in state, federal, and international courts in support of policies to drive health- and environment-protective technologies into the marketplace.

 Frank Laird is an Associate Professor of Technology and Public Policy and the Associate Dean of Academic Studies at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. His professional interests include: energy policy, especially with respect to renewable energy; environmental policy, especially with respect to climate change; science and technology policy; democracy and science policy.

 K.K. DuVivier is a Professor at the Sturm College of Law. Over the years, she has taught courses in Energy Law, Renewable Energy Law, Civil Procedure, Mining Law, Legal Research & Writing, Local Government, Wills & Trusts, and Environmental Law. Her latest book is Energy Law Basics (Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2017).

 This event is free of charge and co-sponsored by the Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum and the Colorado Renewable Energy Society. For more information or to opt out of such notices in the future, please contact Korbel adjunct faculty member and EEE Forum Convener, David Carlson, at david.carlson@du.edu.

World Water Day and Water Justice 3-DAY Forum at Iliff March 22-24th, 2017

  • Hosted by: The Iliff School of Theology
    with Co-sponsors[1]Colorado Interfaith Power & Light; Colorado Council of Churches; Episcopal Church of Colorado; Eco-Justice Ministries of Colorado OVERVIEW
  • AGENDA
  • FLYER
  • Half-page Water Forum handout
  • Wednesday, March 22, is World Water Day. Initiated by the United Nations and recognized annually since 1993, this international day is an opportunity to focus on the crucial importance of freshwater and sustainably managing freshwater resources. World Water Day is supported by the United Nations Association–USA—one of 100+ national-level NGOs around the world that seek to “ensure that the UN is relevant to the lives of the peoples it exists to serve” (http://www.wfuna.org/what-is-a-una).This year, March 22 also marks the beginning of a three-day international conference on Water Justice, sponsored by the Trinity Institute in New York City and webcast worldwide (https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/trinity-institute/2017/attend). “With a sharp focus on the need for water justice initiatives in areas of access, droughts, pollution, rising tides, and flooding, Trinity Institute aims to offer actionable guidance for individuals, congregations, and the larger faith community surrounding these issues.” Trinity Institute is an affiliate of Trinity Wall Street Church, an Episcopal parish in New York City.In accord with these events, the Iliff School of Theology, with the support of several co-sponsors, is hosting this World Water Day and Water Justice Forum (Water Forum) March 22-24.On Wednesday afternoon, March 22, the Forum will open with a welcome by Iliff President and CEO, Thomas Wolfe, and reflections on World Water Day and water justice by University of Denver Law Professor, Ved Nanda. Sessions will follow on the recently-adopted Colorado Water Plan and “Law, People, and the Environment: A Source to Sea Perspective for Our Colorado River.” On the following two days (March 23-24), participants will view presentations by plenary speakers at the Water Justice Conference in New York City via live-streaming and webcast delay, followed by locally-facilitated group discussion.

February 21st. CRES


Friday-Saturday 2/23-24/2017: Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) – State conference:

SLIDES:

EEE = Monday: February 27th, 2017, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Thinking Ethically about Climate Change.

  • where: library at the Iliff School of Theology (2323 E. Iliff Avenue)
  • If an action will reduce the threat of global warming, is such a result—by itself—sufficient reason for implementing it? Can the unequal distribution of burdens and benefits associated with using fossil fuels—either among individuals or nations—be morally justified? And what does it mean to think and act ethically in the face of climate change?
  • Questions such as these will form the basis of the Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum next Monday, February 27th, from 1:30 to 3:30pm in the open area of the Library at the Iliff School of Theology. We will engage these and similar questions through personal experience as well as moral philosophy.
  •  British philosopher, Roger Garvey writes insightfully about such questions, using down-to-earth examples such as broken vases, Bonnie and Clyde prison terms, cowboys grazing cattle on a plot of land held in common, and rum-drinking pirates. David Carlson, EEE Convener, will start Monday’s session by drawing primarily from Garvey’s paperback book, Thinking Ethically about Climate Change: Right and Wrong in a Warming World. Please read Chapter 3 on “Responsibility” before the session. A scan of Chapter 3 on “Responsibility” is attached. Garvey claims that: 2008 ETHICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE GARVEY CH 3
  • Next, we shall gather in small groups to share and reflect upon our own beliefs, experiences, and dilemmas, as we attempt to think and act ethically in the face of climate change. DU Professor Don Mayer, Business Ethics and Legal Studies, Daniels College of Business, will facilitate our small group/large group discussions.
  • And third, Kathleen Wells, member of the Denver chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), will lead a brief discussion on the interest, format, and structure of a possible future EEE

Special forum – from Professor Dale Rothman: Monday: January 30, 2017, 1:30 – 4 p.m.: see flyer link below

  • Animal Rights and the Capabilities Approach: A Radical Alternative to Anthropocentrism
  • An afternoon talk with Martha C. Nussbaum*
  • followed by a panel discussion

AT: University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Institute for Human-Animal Connection
Craig Hall – Boettcher Foundation Community Room
2148 South High Street, Denver, CO 80210

  • Martha Nussbaum is the Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics, appointed in the Law School and Philosophy Department. She is also an Associate in the Classics Department, the Divinity School, and the Political Science Department, a Member of the Committee on Southern Asian Studies, and a Board Member of the Human Rights Program.

Details: Animal Rights and the Capabilities Approach


January 17th, 2017:

Under the theme of “Religion and Theology in the Public Square,” three panelists will present quite different perspectives on caring for the earth from 1:30 to 3:30pm in Shattuck Hall at the Iliff School of Theology on Tuesday, January 17th. The event is co-sponsored by the Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum at Iliff and Colorado Interfaith Power & Light. Panelists are:

  • Dr. Vie Thorgren: Catholic Climate Ambassador, Catholic Climate Covenant, and Executive Director, Center for Spirituality at Work, in Denver. Dr. Thorgren will examine the impact of Pope Francis’ encyclical in fostering earth-honoring policies and practices since its release in May 2015.
  • Rev. Dr. David M. Carlson: Pastor, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Duluth, Minnesota, and co-founder of the Arrowhead Network of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light. Drawing on his recent doctoral thesis, Dr. Carlson will share empirical results of church leaders’ perceptions and practices of earth stewardship in daily life and in congregations—and implications for congregation-community relations. A two-page Executive Summary of Pastor Carlson’s doctoral thesis can be found here:DMin Thesis – Exec Sum – David M. Carlson – March 2016 ;
  • SLIDES: Earth Stewardship in Church and Society-David M Carlson
  • Dr. Edward Antonio: Harvey H. Potthoff Associate Professor of Christian Theology and Social Theory, and Director of the Justice & Peace Program, Iliff School of Theology. Professor Antonio will speak on the wisdom of indigenous people in caring for the earth.

This event is free and open to the public as well as the academic communities of Iliff, DU, and other educational institutions in the Denver metro area. Light refreshments will be available, following the program. Your RSVP (click here) is requested but not required. Please feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested.

2016

Tuesday November 15th, 1:30 to 3:30 – PANEL On Implications of Election Day Results for Climate Change Policy and Action

Four panelists—three from DU and one from an international environmental organization–will present initial perspectives on implications of Tuesday’s election results for international and domestic policies and actions to respond to the increasing challenges of climate change. Panelists are:

  1. Korbel Professor Dale S. Rothman will begin with prospects for effective climate change policies and actions at the international level, including the outlook for implementing agreements reached at the 2015 Paris Conference on Climate Change.
  2. Pamela Campos, Senior Attorney for the Climate and Energy Program at the Environmental Defense Fund, will address domestic implications for the Clean Air Act and renewable energy.
  3. Korbel Professor Frank Laird will speak on implications of the election for national and state climate policy.
  4. DU Law Professor K.K. DuVivier will offer comments on election implications through the lens of renewable energy law

MEETING Picture, Notes and Attachments:

20161115_eee-panelists

Panelists (L-R): K.K. DuVivier, Frank Laird, Pamela Campos,
and Dale Rothman

This event was co-sponsored by the Colorado Renewable Energy Society, Colorado Interfaith Power & Light, and the Ethics and Ecological Economics (EEE) Forum at the Iliff School of Theology.


MONDAY October 17th, 2016 meeting:

Kathleen Wells, Psychologist, Professor Emerita at Case Western Reserve University, and member of the Denver chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, presented a seminar entitled:
“Some of Psychology’s Contributions to Understanding the Climate Change Crisis.”
Revised slides:
– click here to open PDF of presentation;
– click here to download PowerPoint

  • Drawing on research from the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication (http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/), the final Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on the Interface Between Psychology and Global Climate Change (http://www.apa.org/science/about/publications/climate-change.aspx), and videos of individuals discussing climate, she will review social psychological evidence on climate-related attitudes and highlight some psychological processes relevant to understanding these attitudes.
  • Additional information may be found on the Climate Psychology Alliance website (www.climatepsychologyalliance.org). The Yale Project website and the APA Task Force report both contain references to further reading on this topic.

FOLLOWING DISCUSSION:


MONDAY September 12th, 2016.

Our first Forum for the coming academic year will be held on Monday afternoon, September 12th. As usual, we will meet from 2:00 to 4:15pm in the public space area of the Iliff School of Theology library.

Our topic is: Can Extreme Weather Events Be Directly Linked to Climate Change?

To what extent—if any—can climate scientists persuasively link climate change to individual extreme weather events? Phil Nelson, chair of the Golden Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, will present recent impacts of extreme weather in Colorado and around the world and discuss the emergence of “attribution science.”

Please read: About Catastrophe Models

Before our session, you may find it helpful to view a 10-minute clip on extreme weather and “the emerging area of science called extreme weather attribution” from the PBS Newshour on August 17th. The link is:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/scientists-analyze-recent-extreme-weather-events-relation-climate-change/

Also, for a short article on why attribution of extreme weather is important to the insurance industry, connect to: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2014/10/02/342559.htm


JUNE 13TH, 2016:

Income and Wealth Inequality: Trends, Consequences, and Possible Responses 

  • Alec Tsoucatos, adjunct professor of economics at Regis University and frequent Forum speaker will lead our discussion.
  •  As usual, we shall meet in the open space area of the library at the Iliff School of Theology (2323 E. Iliff Avenue) from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. All are welcome; there is no charge for this event. Complimentary parking is available in Lot C on the west side of the Iliff campus; click here for map. Please sign in when you enter the lobby.
  • Some suggested background reading:
    •  On inequality, A recent front-page headline in the Denver Post stated, “The shrinking middle: Widening wealth gap pushes more households into lower-income level than higher income.” Financial trends are given in detail for five Colorado cities, plus some national trends and political commentary. The story is available at (Click here for DP story)
    •  Guaranteed income? Two days later, the Post’s Perspective section featured an article on “Universal basic income may be the next big thing.” Experiments in Europe, Canada, and South America are briefly described. (click here)
    •  A “red herring”? Is income inequality a “red herring”? NYT columnist examines this provocative question in his 2014 column, “Income Inequality and the Ills Behind It.” (Click here)
  •  As a followup to our May 9th EEE Forum on Jobs vs. the Environment: Must We Choose?, Kathleen Wells forwarded a link to this recent New York Times article, “Rift Between Labor and Environmentalists Threatens Democratic Turnout”: (Click here)

MAY 9TH, 2016: Income and Wealth Inequity/Inequality: A threat to Democracy?

2015 Pollin Greening the Global Economy Ch. 6

2015 June White House Climate Action Plan

FIRST: Our theme for Monday afternoon, May 9th, is: Jobs vs. the Environment: Must We Choose? This question is both important and timely, since it consistently surfaces in political campaigning and other public discourse around climate change.

Contrary to the frequently-stated view that job creation and environmental protection are mutually exclusive, economist Robert Pollin contends that full employment and substantial GHG reductions are indeed possible—if nations can soon agree on devoting 1.5% of annual GDP to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. (He estimates that only 0.5% of global GDP is currently so invested each year.)

A key feature in Pollin’s analysis is the necessity to provide generous assistance to displaced fossil-fuel workers and adversely affected communities. For some background, see the attached chapter, “Expanding Job Opportunities through Clean Energy Investments,” from Pollin’s compact book, Greening the Global Economy (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2015).)

Some guiding questions: To what extent do proposals at the federal level address the need to assisted displaced workers and affected communities? (See, for example, President Obama’s 2015 Climate Action Plan, copy attached.) And to what extent (if any) might revenues from establishing a price on carbon be earmarked to fund such transition costs for displaced workers and affected communities?

Second, we’ll consider whether a “blue-green” coalition between labor and environmentalists could be politically effective. For some background, visit the website of  the recently formed BlueGreen Alliance (www.bluegreenalliance.org), whose tag line is “Good Jobs, Clean Environment, Green Economy.” It won’t be easy, according to Chuck Collins, a senior scholar at the progressive Institute of Policy Studies (www.ips-dc.org). See his article, “Can We Earn a Living on a Living Planet? The Need for Jobs and the Ecological Limits to Growth,” available at http://prospect.org/article/must-environmentalists-and-labor-activists-find-themselves-odds-each-other.


April 11th, 2016: Music and Social Transformation 

The power of music to effect social change.  As usual, we will meet in the open space area of the Iliff School of Theology library (2323 E. Iliff Avenue) from 2:00 to 4:15pm.

We are deeply honored that Professor Arthur Jones has agreed to serve as moderator for our session. Dr. Jones is Clinical Professor of Culture and Psychology and Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence at Colorado Women’s College at DU. He is also the current chair of the DU Faculty Senate.

Dr. Jones is also the founder of the Spirituals Project (www.spiritualsproject.org), whose guiding vision is “to explore the many, varied dimensions of African American spirituals as art form, tradition and tool; and to invite all people to experience the joy and power of this dynamic music and gift from African Americans to the world.”

Daryl Walker is the Performance Director of the Spirituals Project. His creative gifts have afforded him the opportunity to provide excellence in music performance, music direction, and music support to diverse entities across the nation for more than 35 years. He has served the Iliff community musically during worship services, Commencement ceremonies, and through Faith Trek—a Lilly Foundation-funded initiative, using the arts to help youth discover their vocation.

  • Pre-meeting links and attachments:
    2016.03.23 Gus Speth Facebook Quote

  • Late post of 2/25/2015 from David Carlson:

    • Dear friends of the EEE Forum and other colleagues interested in climate change: You may be interested in my recent article, “WTO Reforms, Sustainable Development, and Climate Clubs: Calls for New Thinking.” It was recently published in the Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law, 34:1, 126-136 (2016).Like other contributions to this special issue of JERL, my article responds to the 2014 report by the International Bar Association (IBA) (click here), Achieving Justice and Human Rights in an Era of Climate Disruption. (A copy of the IBA’s full 262-page Report is attached for your convenience.)Don Smith, an Associate Professor in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at DU’s Sturm College of Law and JERL editor, presented an overview of the IBA’s extensive Report at the EEE Forum last September (SEE BELOW). His excellent presentation and gracious invitation for responses led to my commentary. The Abstract appears below.To access the full article, use the link  http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/4IMygfQyv4TkKvXUES7q/full.There is no charge for the first 50 downloads. After that, you may contact me for a free copy of the manuscript that was accepted for publication.

March 14th, 2016: Fear, Hope, and Climate Change: Perspectives from Psychology, Neuroscience, and Theology

Our two highly-qualified presenters and discussion leaders were Jason Whitehead and Peter Sawtell.


February 15th, 2016: Climate Intervention (aka geo-engineering: SRM &CDR) AND Carbon Pricing: A Tale of Two Responses to Climate Change.


January 11th, 2016 – After Paris Conference on Climate Change; What Lies Ahead? 

NEW: meeting notes/handouts:

Pre-meeting links:

  •  new meeting space in the renovated library at the Iliff School of Theology. After signing in at the reception desk in the lobby, turn left to enter the library and walk toward the large open space area.

  • email update from David Carlson 1/2/2016 – click here: DCarlson email 20160102.

  • First hour to focus on this attachment: 2015.12.15 Summary of Paris Climate Change Conference by IISD.

  • 1/10/16 email from Haider Khan, John Evans Distinguished University Professor of Economics: “attached two technical papers: (click here for full email)

    • one  on growth and  CO2 emissions in  the BRIC and also US and Japan(I can look up the reference for the published version if anyone is interested in reading that): BRIC Energy Climate Change – click here

    • Second is a CGE model of China  and its energy productivlty: China_Energy(XJ&HK_16) – click here

    • I would be happy to discuss with individuals who may be interested. I also have a chapter on China’s Energy Security and Dev. Strategy in a 2010 vol. from WIDER-UNU, Helsinki


November 9th 2015: “Interfaith Responses to Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.”

ATTACHMENTS: rev half-page flyer for Nov. 9th;
Nov 9th agenda
Judaism-Climate-Laudato-Si-8-pages
Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change
James Martin, S.J., on Laudato
TABLE OF CONTENTS Laudato si’
papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si

  • Iliff professor, Dr. George (Tink) Tinker, will keynote our event with his presentation, “Laudato Si’ in Context: Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation.” Where does Pope Francis’ encyclical stand within the decades-long struggle of people worldwide for this compelling vision?
  • Following a short break, Rev. Dr. Chrysostom Frank, Department of Religious Studies, Regis University, and Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church on the Auraria campus, will moderate a student interfaith panel. Panelists are: Jill Fleishman and Kim Nipple from Iliff, Maliheh Jabbari from DU, and Jacob Wilkerson from Regis.

Monday October 19th: Are Paris Climate Talks Likely To Fail. Is there a way forward? – Conditional Cooperation Approaches are Needed – click here for email details/description

 Our session will focus primarily on two highly relevant readings: a 14-page journal article (click here: 2015 cramton-ockenfels-stoft-price-commitment-promotes-cooperation ) and a 14-page book review (link provided below). Please come prepared to discuss both. Copies are attached. Both resources squarely address the so-called “free rider” problem that has stymied effective approaches so far to limit carbon emissions globally.

The Journal article, “An International Carbon-Price Commitment Promotes Cooperation,” published just a few months ago, sums up its pessimism regarding December talks in Paris:

In response to Kyoto’s dramatic failure, and then Copenhagen’s, the idea of striving for a common global commitment has been abandoned on the way to Paris. Rather, it is hoped the individually-selected quantity targets will cover the bulk of global emissions with sufficient stringency. Indeed, the plan for Paris is to let every country simply pledge to do whatever it wants. There will be reviews without consequences for hundreds of incomparable proposals. And if countries fall short of their pledges, there still will be no consequences. (underlining added)

 The three authors contend that, on the contrary, a common global commitment to limit carbon emissions is possible. Their case primarily rests upon (i) theory and evidence that conditional cooperation (i.e., “I will if you will”) approaches are most likely to succeed, and (ii) favoring a global price for carbon emissions rather than quantity-based goals.

As you might expect, arguments over cap-and-trade vs. carbon tax (or fee and dividend) are revisited here, but with a twist.

William Nordhaus, current president of the American Economics Association (AEA), has proposed a specific form of international conditional cooperation to limit carbon emissions—the “climate club.” His proposal, like the journal article mentioned above, favors setting a global price on carbon emissions rather than quantity-based goals. Nations within the climate club would trade freely with each other without tariffs; nonmember nations that wish to trade with club members would face tariffs.

Nordhaus briefly describes the “free rider” problem and his proffered solution as a lead-in to his recent review of the book, Climate Shock. Here’s the link to the NY Review of Books website:  http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2015/jun/04/new-solution-climate-club/

In a different format, Nordhaus produced a 30-slide PowerPoint version for his Presidential address to the AEA last January. Available at http://carbon-price.com/wp-content/uploads/2015-01-04-Nordhaus-ClimateClubAEA-v2-slides.pdf


Monday, September 14th, 2015 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.: updated posting 9/10/15

Details of our first monthly Forum this fall are falling into place. On Monday, September 14th, we will meet at 2:00 pm in Room 412 at the Sturm College of Law on the DU campus. Our topic will be “International Law Perspectives on Climate Change Ethics.”

Two outstanding professors from Sturm will address this timely topic: Ved Nanda and Don Smith,

CLICK HERE FOR EMAIL DETAILS: David Carlson email details 9-9-2015

PARKING – PARKING INFO FOR 9-14-2015

3 Attachments – all PDFs:

2008 ETHICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE GARVEY CH 3

2011 Climate Change, Developing Countries & Human Rights NANDA

2014 IBA Climate Change Justice and Human Rights Report FULL

2015.08.28 preliminary 2015 fall EEE schedule


July 13, 2015 meeting: – see Peter Sawtell’s post “The Encyclical and Bold Dialogue ” 

click here: http://www.eco-justice.org/E-150619.asp; for archived letters go here: http://www.eco-justice.org/E-list.asp

MEETING: Monday, July 13th, 2015Pope Francis’ just-released encyclical letter, Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to Thee, O Lord”), subtitled “On Care for Our Common Home.”

A sheet with a half-dozen guiding questions downloadable as a word docx HERE – with space for you to add your own questions (and responses). Please bring this sheet with you on the 13th.Depending upon how large our group is on the 13th, we may divide up into groups of 3-4 to begin sharing. THE ENCYCLICAL: 2015.05.24 papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si

If time permits, we will end our session with brainstorming ways in which the message of Laudato Si’might fruitfully serve as a unifying theme throughout the coming fall.


Monday, JUNE 15th, 2015 Iliff School of Theology, 2 to 4:15 p.m.,: Follow up on Claremont, CA conference David and others attended in California:

David Carlson, Alec Tsoucatos, and other Denver-Boulder area participants returning from the upcoming international conference in Claremont, CA on the theme, “Seizing an Alternative: Toward an Ecological Civilization.” 

Original email announcement:Original email Message about June 15 2015 meeting

Reading: ONE MORE THING BEFORE I GO — by John B. Cobb, Jr.


MAY 11th, 2015

Subject: How can we respond to the numbness, depression, and despair—of others and of ourselves—in the face of climate change and its challenging implications?

Reading: 2003 GOTTLIEB Excerpts from A Spirituality of Resistance

Emails from David Carlson:

2 videos highlighted by David Carlson in email May 1st:

  • Climate Science: What You Need To Know (You Tube: 6′:20″): click here
  • Why people don’t believe in climate change (YouTube: 7′:33″) – click here

April 13th, 2015:

Subject: Dealing with why we ignore climate change.

To counter scientific disinformation please go to http://skepticalscience.com/ or http://www.realclimate.org/ among other sites.


 March 9th, 2015: Carbon fee and dividend proposal of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

ADDED 10/13/2019: