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NEWSLETTER (July issue)

Thank you for subscribing to Civic Exchange’s new Climate Dialogue Newsletter, a monthly newsletter with updates on our endeavors with regards to climate change. We are nearing the Climate Dialogue conference that will take place from 3-6 November, 2010; this event will bring together guest speakers to discuss climate change and propose ways of tackling it. Part of this initiative aims to engage young people in the climate change dialogue with a competition called Get It Green! Finalists will be showcased and judged at the GIG summit. Further information on the Climate Change conference, the competition, and everything else Civic Exchange is involved in can be found at: climate.dialogue.org.hk.

The Climate Dialogue conference will last 4 days, and will begin with speakers who will draw connections between the science of climate change, relevant policies, and suggestions for courses of actions to take. Day 2 will present a more-depth look at preferable courses of action. The conference continues over Days 3-4 with the C40 Workshop, which will bring together city officials of the C40 action network, policy-makers and experts to discuss what can be done to help tackle climate change. Cities will play a pivotal role in these discussions since cities consume about two-thirds of the world’s energy, and emit over 70% of world carbon emissions.

 

DAY-TO-DAY LINE-UP

 

 

The aim of this 4-day event is to equip attendees and participants with a solid understanding of how science, policy, and economics all intersect within the larger issue of climate change. Therefore, sessions will comprise of keynotes and panel discussions to stimulate discussion amongst all participants. Below is a detailed description of the topics you can expect to see covered over the course of each day.

 

Day 1 - From Science to Policy

Day 1 of the conference touches upon how science is informing policy, both in China and internationally; the work of the IPCC with regards to climate; the latest impacts of our changing climate on biodiversity; and how the scientists, policy-makers and you can step towards solving these issues.

 

Day 2 - From Policy to Action

Day 2 focuses more on how policy can translate into action; it will touch upon the economics of climate change, sustainable development, security, urbanization and transportation. Lastly, Day 2 concludes with the international politics involved in climate change and how people might begin changing their behavior.

 

Day 3-4 - C40 Hong Kong Workshop

Days 3 and 4 aim to raise awareness about climate change, highlight action that needs to be taken, and build capacity amongst experts and professionals; city buildings and transportation will be the primary focus. In terms of buildings, existing buildings will be the central focus with discussions around policy and systems to improve energy efficiency. Within the spectrum of transportation, electric vehicles will be in focus- this includes a city’s infrastructure for providing the electric supply, educating the public about electric vehicles (EV), and key issues for EV technologies.

 

FEATURED GUEST SPEAKERS

 

The line-up of guest speakers is as diverse in occupational backgrounds as it is in geographical origin. It promises to present attendees with many different views and perspectives on the issue of climate change and possible ways to tackle it. Speakers include:

 

-          Barbara Finamore (NRDC, USA)

-          Cormac Cullinan (Lawyer, South Africa)

-          Gabriel Lau (NOAA, USA)

-          General T Moseley (US Airforce General)

-          Hafid Abbas (Director General, Ministry of Justice & Human Rights, Indonesia)

-          Hu Tao (UN-China Climate Change Partnership Framework Program)

-          Jan Eliasson (UN president of 60th session and former Swedish ambassador to USA)

-          Jim Hansen (NASA, USA)

-          Johan Rockstrom (Stockholm Environment Institute)

-          John D Liu (Environment Education Media Project, China)

-          John Morz (East West Institute)

-          Karan Grover (Architect, India)

-          Li Shaoyi (UN ESCAP)

-          Mark Clifford (Asia Business Council)

-          Martin Lees (Club of Rome)

-          Nicky Gavron (Greater London Authority, former Deputy Mayor of London)

-          Pan Jiahua (CASS, China)

-          Robert Corell (GETF, USA)

-          Robert Swan (Polar explorer and educator)

-          Will Steffen (ANU, adviser to Australian Government)

-          Xu Sitao (Economist, China)

 

ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

 

Different processes for registration will apply on different days depending on venue capacity and the subject matter. We expect high demand for places and may not be able to accommodate everyone who wishes to participate. Attendance on Days 1 & 2 will be by both open registration and invitation mostly through the conference Supporting Organizations. Attendance on Days 3 & 4 will be by invitation only. A wide range of stakeholders will be invited again mainly through Supporting Organizations. The registration system will be opened in September.

 

GET IT GREEN
  
The Get It Green (GIG) Competition is part of the larger initiative of involving young people in climate related activities in order to raise their awareness. It runs for six months from June-November, 2010, and invites participants to explore the issue of climate change in whatever creative form they choose. Finalists will be showcased and judged at the GIG Summit on 7 November, 2010 in front of a live audience. GIG uses an online platform to give members access to interactive learning material on low-carbon living. Please visit www.getitgreen.hk for details.