2015/16: Climate Solutions with Tim Flannery

Professor Tim Flannery is a globally renowned scientist and thought leader whose work has contributed significantly to a growing consensus for action around the critical issue of climate change.

His evidence-based approach has helped to inspire dramatic changes in how we understand the natural world and our responsibility to protect it, including the publication of 140 scientific papers and numerous books. He is perhaps most widely known as author of The Weather Makers, a book that has been read by millions and translated into more than 20 languages, and which has helped to influence the climate policies of international organizations and political leaders such as California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and British Columbia Premier, Gordon Campbell.

Throughout his work, Professor Flannery has continuously reached out to new audiences and created opportunities for authentic engagement. Whether convening global business leaders at the Copenhagen Climate Council, performing community-based outreach with the Australian Climate Commission, or serving on the Sustainability Advisory Committee of Tata Power in India, his work has helped to strengthen a global commitment to action and inform new ideas for how we can avert the catastrophic consequences of unchecked climate change.

With the release of his book, Atmosphere of Hope: Searching for Solutions to the Climate Crisis, he continues to inform and inspire. Through the presentation of the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University pays tribute to Professor Tim Flannery’s remarkable abilities as a dialogue practitioner, and his unswerving commitment to addressing one of our world’s most compelling and complex challenges.

October 15, 2015
Public Lecture: Reality Check—Climate Change, the Resource Economy and the Road to Paris
This public lecture, co-presented by the City of Vancouver and Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, served as the Canadian book launch for Atmosphere of Hope in front of an audience of 600. The program included Professor Flannery in conversation with City of Vancouver Deputy Mayor, Andrea Reimer, and businessman, Ross Beaty, about their perspectives on reconciling climate action with economic growth and the resource economy.

October 20, 2015
Practitioner Forum: Working on the Front Line of Climate Change: A Dialogue with Tim Flannery
This invitational dialogue provided space for peer interaction and professional development for 50 regional leaders working on the front lines of climate action. In addition to Professor Flannery, participants heard short messages from climate scientist, Mark Jaccard, and British Consul-General, Rupert Potter.

Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue Ceremony and Reception
Professor Flannery was presented with the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue in front of 100 regional climate action leaders and friends of Simon Fraser University. The ceremony included the unveiling of a tribute video as well as Professor Flannery’s award citation.

October 23, 2015
Climate Action & Business Competitiveness Roundtable
This invitational breakfast in Toronto for 20 prominent business leaders explored opportunities for climate action and business competitiveness. The event outcomes are recorded in a summary report.

October 23, 2015
Ethical Dilemmas of Climate Change Roundtable
The focus of this invitational roundtable in Toronto was to explore unresolved ethical dilemmas in climate action with 18 leading thinkers in ethics and climate action, and to better understand implications for Canadian policy and behavioural change in the lead-up to the Paris COP21 meeting. The event outcomes are recorded in a summary report and op-ed by Dean Ingrid Stefanovic. This event was presented in partnership with SFU’s Faculty of Environment.

Professor Flannery’s two-week award residency left a lasting legacy, including:

• Staging the Canada-wide launch for Professor Flannery’s book, Atmosphere of Hope
• Securing meetings with cabinet ministers from the British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario governments, for Tim Flannery and SFU to discuss climate action
• Receiving media coverage by 16 regional and national outlets, such as The Globe and Mail and The Hill Times, drawing attention to the need for action on climate change
• Publishing two summary reports highlighting ideas for climate action based on roundtables addressing climate action and business competitiveness, and ethical dilemmas of climate change