Two New Books Released by IRIS Executive Member: Stepan Wood

Published January 19, 2010 by iris_author

A Perilous Imbalance
The Globalization of Canadian Law and Governance
Stephen Clarkson and Stepan Wood

Through an examination of Canadians’ complicated roles as agents and objects of globalization, this book shows how Canada’s experience of and contribution to globalized governance is characterized by serious imbalances. It explores these imbalances by tracing three interlinked developments:
the emergence of a neoconservative supraconstitution, the transformation of the nation-state, and the growth of governance beyond the nation-state. Advocating a revitalizated Canadian state as a vehicle for pursuing human security, ecological integrity, and social emancipation, and for creating spaces in which progressive, alternative forms of law and governance can unfold, A Perilous Imbalance offers a compelling analysis of the challenges that middle powers and their citizens face in a globalizing world.

Please refer to the attachment for more information.

Climate Law and Developing Countries
Legal and Policy Challenges for the World Economy
Benjamin Richardson, Yves Le Bouthillier, Heather Mcleod-kilmurray, Stepan Wood

This timely book examines the legal and policy challenges in international, regional and national settings, faced by developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Please refer to the attachment for more information on this book. Please click here to see the review plan.

You can also get more information about Google Book Search Previews by clicking here.

Yfile: Michener Lecture focuses on eco-arts as a catalyst for change

Published January 7, 2010 by iris_author

Headline News Michener Lecture focuses on eco-arts as a catalyst for change

Ben Todd, an engineer, technology broker and executive director of Arcola Theatre, Britain’s groundbreaking green performance venue, will give the annual Wendy Michener Lecture at York University on Jan. 14.

In his address, titled "Humanizing the Science of Climate Change: The Role of the Arts in Driving Sustainable Lifestyles", Todd will discuss the leading edge of eco-arts production and performance, and its potential as a catalyst for changing awareness and behaviour around the most compelling environmental issue of our day.

Left: Ben Todd

"While scientists tell us that we already have the technologies required to avert catastrophic climate change, policy-makers and businesses continue to seek new technological 'solutions'. Meanwhile, global consumption and emissions continue unsustainably, with minimal abatement," Todd says.

"I believe that to change the lifestyles of entire populations, a cultural shift is required, and thus it is cultural agents which must take the lead. The past three years of work at Arcola Theatre provide examples and lessons," he says.

Established a decade ago in a converted factory in the borough of Hackney in London’s east end, Arcola Theatre has evolved into one of Britain’s most innovative, exciting and respected arts venues. It is critically acclaimed for the excellence and scope of its programming, which encompasses professional productions of new and experimental works, classic drama, music and comedy showcasing national and international talent, as well as extensive community and youth programs.

While winning accolades for its productions, Arcola has also become a global leader in environmentally responsible arts production and performance practice. With the launch of Arcola Energy in 2007, it began integrating sustainability initiatives into its core activities and embraced the mission to become the world’s first carbon-neutral theatre.

One step towards achieving this goal has been the installation of a 5-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell to power the LED lighting in selected Arcola productions and hospitality facilities. Other ambitious and innovative “greening” initiatives are underway. In recognition of its achievements, Arcola was the recipient of the 2008 Confederation of British Industry's Growing Business Green Award and the Energy Globe UK winner in 2009.

Conceived as a hub for new thinking and cross-fertilization between art and science, Arcola Energy brings together artistic, entrepreneurial, societal and technological creativity in novel partnerships to address sustainability issues. For Todd, the common threads are creative vision and a collaborative, action-oriented approach – qualities that the arts in general and theatre in particular are uniquely well-positioned to deliver.

Right: Arcola Theatre

"Inventiveness and risk-taking are hallmarks of the arts,” says Todd. "As a theatre, we have a long-standing tradition of innovation, inspiration and deep integration and engagement with the local community. Working on the same principles, Arcola Energy integrates arts and science professionals with the community to pioneer practices that will fundamentally change the way arts organizations work."

Todd holds a PhD in engineering from Cambridge University and has worked in research & development, technical and strategy consulting on both commercial and government projects, including at Cambridge Consultants, Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems and Synnogy. As well as managing Arcola Theatre, he works as a technology broker for the Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Knowledge Transfer Network run by the UK Technology Strategy Board.

The Wendy Michener Lecture was established in the Faculty of Fine Arts at York University in memory of Canadian arts critic and journalist Wendy Roland Michener. The free lecture provides a forum for discussion of crucial issues and developments in the cultural scene, past and present. Todd's lecture will take place on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 3pm in the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre, Accolade East Building on York's Keele campus. For more information, call 416-736-5136.

Pictures of York’s Exhibit with Ecoar at COP 15

Published December 21, 2009 by iris_author

I think all of us are still in a bit of shock about how COP15 actually went down. We'll be reporting more in the new year, but for now would like to say that manning the booth and dealing with the lines at the Bella Center left little time to blog as we had hoped.

For now, here are some pictures of the booth, including the ribbons we handed out that are a Brazilian tradition. Please note the banner of signatures from York students under the exhibit booth. We've also got a shot of the mural that we brought from an FES popular education class!

Live Green Toronto Newsletter Launched

Published December 16, 2009 by dbazely

The hard-working folks (including many York U grads!) at the City of Toronto Environment Office have launched the e-newsletter, Live Green News.

It has lots of important information, including grant and contest info.

IRIS Annual Report 2009

Published November 27, 2009 by afdubreu

The IRIS Annual Report 2009 is now available. Click on the image to download.

YFile: York gains observer status at UN climate change conference

Published October 30, 2009 by afdubreu

York University at COP 15

Above: People gather at a water collection point in India. Photo by York grad Paul Marmer (BES Hons. '86).

The following appeared in the Thursday, October 29, 2009 edition of Y-File:

There’s nothing like a good bit of networking – and a signed affidavit confirming you exist – to get the United Nations to take notice of you. Especially when you want to say something about the injustice of climate change on marginalized peoples at COP15, the next United Nations Climate Change Conference being held in Copenhagen in December.

Right: Speakers at the IRIS conference in April

Members of York’s Faculties of Environmental Studies, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and Science & Engineering, and the Institute for Research & Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS), following up on a successful conference on climate justice held at York’s Keele campus in April (see YFile, April 3), acted on a suggestion by some of the participants and applied for observer status at the UN conference in order to take a message about the plight of poor and indigenous peoples affected by climate change to those who are planning the global response to the greatest challenge of our time.

After completing the rigorous application procedure, which included sending an affidavit signed by York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri confirming that York University exists along with a copy of the York Act, the University is now recognized as a civil society organization eligible to observe the proceedings and participate in UN-sanctioned side events around the conference. York is co-sponsoring an official side event aimed at bringing attention to the issue of climate justice.

At least seven York representatives are being nominated as delegates: Professors Anders Sandberg, Ellie Perkins, Jose Etcheverry and Dawn Bazely, and Annette Dubreuil, manager of the International Polar Year Gas, Arctic Peoples & Security Project at IRIS, and coordinator of IRIS. Two Faculty of Environmental Studies graduate students, and possibly others, will also be nominated.

There will be an information session for people interested in participating in York’s delegation to COP15 on Nov. 4, from 10 to 11am, in 305 York Lanes.

Attending COP15 with official observer status is a boost for York’s reputation as a centre for research into social justice and sustainability, and follows recognition recently given to the Schulich School of Business at York University by the Aspen Institute as the No. 1 business school in the world when it comes to teaching corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Last April’s conference, Strengthening the Ecojustice Movement: How Will Disenfranchised Peoples Adapt to Climate Change? didn’t draw many members of the public but, says Dawn Bazely, IRIS director, it helped bring the work being done at York to the attention of a select group of international activists who are leading the fight to have the social justice aspects of climate change brought into the discourse at events such as COP15.

Left: Dawn Bazley, director of IRIS

“We are building on our strengths to highlight the issues that are not often talked about,” says Bazley.

The genesis of the effort for UN observer status was a Canadian International Development Agency-sponsored project, Sister Watersheds (see YFile, July 14, 2008), which Perkins started in 2002, that linked York and FES with the University of São Paolo and the ECOAR Institute for Citizenship, a highly respected non-governmental organization in Brazil. The education project allowed 15 graduate exchange students to visit each university and created a network of people in both hemispheres working to promote knowledge of climate change. It was that connection that led to the climate justice conference and more important networking opportunities.

In São Paulo last summer, Sheila Embleton, then York’s vice-president academic & provost, and Adrian Shubert, then associate vice-president international, met Miriam Dualibi, director of ECOAR, where plans for the April conference were first made. “Miriam said York should have a conference on climate justice,” says Ellie Perkins. And so it happened. Now the partnership is continuing with the side event at COP15.

Right: Ellie Perkins

“What Miriam told us,” Perkins adds, “was that what you quite often get is wealthy countries telling the global south how things are going to have to be, but many of the messages can’t even be applied in global south countries because people who already have such small ecological footprints can’t actually adapt. They don’t have the capacity to use less energy.” And, Perkins adds, “this whole idea that climate change is going to happen in the future? In fact it is happening for many people in the world right now.”

In addition to a display about the injustices caused by the world’s wealthier inhabitants to the existence of marginalized peoples’, the York team will be mounting an art exhibit documenting how poor people are responding to climate change, with contributions from some of the other observer organizations. The team also plans to work with ECOAR to build a Web portal where community organizations around the world can share stories and information on how they are trying to adapt to climate change.

The fifteenth Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, popularly known as COP15, is taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark, from Dec. 7 to 18.

Schulic Ranked No. 1 In The World

Published October 23, 2009 by iris_author

Headline News

Schulich ranked No. 1 in the world
The Schulich School of Business at York University was yesterday ranked No. 1 in the world in a global ranking of the top 100 MBA programs that are preparing future leaders for the environmental, social and ethical complexities of modern-day business. It is the first time a Canadian business school has ever ranked first in a global survey of management education.The Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking, conducted every two years by the Washington, DC-based Aspen Institute, rates the top 100 MBA programs in the world that are equipping future business leaders with a comprehensive and integrated understanding of social and environmental issues impacting business – everything from increased consumer activism and climate change to corporate social responsibility.Schulich placed first overall, ahead of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, the Yale School of Management, the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Haas School of Business at the University of California Berkeley and the Columbia Business School in the world’s top 10. A full description of the ranking, its methodology and individual MBA program ratings is available online at the Beyond Grey Pinstripes Web site.“The Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking measures how well business schools are preparing students for this new reality, and Schulich is proud to be rated number one in the world when it comes to

graduating managers who have the tools necessary to lead in the new world of business,” said Dezsö Horváth (right), dean of the Schulich School of Business. “Schulich began laying the groundwork for research and teaching in the areas of business ethics and sustainability back in the early 1990s when few other business schools were doing so. [Today's] No. 1 ranking is recognition of close to two decades of research, innovation and curriculum development at our school.” Canadian schools did exceptionally well in the ranking: Canada outperformed all other countries in the world on a per capita basis in terms of the total number of business schools that made the ranking. In addition to Schulich, a total of six other Canadian schools made the top 100 ranking – three of which finished in the top 50. The Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University was ranked 31st overall; the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University was ranked 34th; the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia was ranked 49th; the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary was ranked 51st; the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario was ranked 53rd; and the Dalhousie School of Business Administration was ranked 80th.Some 149 business schools from 24 countries took part in the ranking. Business schools were rated in four equally weighted categories:

Student Opportunity, which measures the number of MBA courses offered that contain social and environmental content;
Student Exposure, which measures the percentage of MBA course time dedicated to social and environmental issues;
Course Content, which measures the extent to which courses illustrate the value of integrating social and environmental considerations into business decisions;
Faculty Research, which measures the number of relevant articles published in leading management journals.

Right: The Seymour Schulich Building on York University's Keele campus is home to the No. 1-ranked Schulich School of Business

“The global corporate landscape has changed more in the last year than ever before. And what has changed most of all is the nature of expectations and demands placed on corporations. The narrow shareholder model is being replaced by a much broader stakeholder model – one that considers the implications of strategic decisions on all of a company’s stakeholder groups,” said Horváth. “The watershed events of the past year are making it imperative for companies to deal seriously with the triple bottom line of social, environmental and economic issues.”

"Scholars are questioning whether the established models of business are broken,” said Rich Leimsider, director of the Aspen Institute’s Center for Business Education. “The schools in the Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking are thoughtfully pursuing new approaches. They are preparing students who take a more holistic view of business success, one that measures financial results as well as social and environmental impacts.”

The Aspen Institute Center for Business Education equips business leaders for the 21st century with the vision and knowledge to integrate corporate profitability and social value. It helps business educators incorporate issues of social and environmental stewardship into teaching and research by offering targeted resources, networks and a platform to share cutting-edge practice among peers.

“Why Woody?” – for an honorary degree

Published October 16, 2009 by dbazely

A very nice reporter from the Toronto Star asked me this question on the phone yesterday, as I was standing in a field in Milton, Ontario, next to 16-Mile Creek. I was collecting seeds from Giant Hogweed, an invasive and somewhat toxic plant (see right).

Tomorrow, York University will confer an honorary degree on Woody Harrelson. Back in January, when I wrote my nomination letter, I had no idea that the announcement of this would coincide with the recent release of a popular commercial movie, starring him! I also had no idea as to how receptive the university committee responsible for Honorary Degrees would be to our nomination! After all, universities are very conservative institutions, as I found out from the raised eyebrows, back in the mid 1990s, when I had the temerity to suggest to some colleagues that we ought to consider nominating Oprah Winfrey for an honorary degree. At the time, she was dictating what America and my local Mum's Book Club was reading, through her book selections.

There have been a lot opinions offered about York conferring this degree on Woody Harrelson, in response to the CBC story. In the wake of my interview with the Star reporter, I think there's a few things worth mentioning from my answer to her question "Why Woody?"

1. The whole idea can be traced back to 2006 and the conversation that IRIS started about making York's course kits carbon neutral. Along the way, not only did we discover a huge interest amongst our students in the issue of climate change, but we also learned a lot about how unsustainable the publishing and printing industry is, in terms of how it produces books: inks, paper, and the energy footprint of shipping books; akin to shipping bricks, a friend in publishing has told me.

2. Then, in August 2008, I was invited by the committee organizing our Fall Green Week, to suggest environmental and sustainability-related documentaries for screening. Since I am always forcing my family to watch educational docs, I had lots of ideas, as did others, and we had a lively discussion. I thought that An Inconvenient Truth was too ubiquitous to have much appeal at the time, and that Who Killed the Electric Car, was just a wee bit too boring. But Go Further was different from anything that I had ever seen, and might just be the ticket for an undergraduate audience. It was not at all preachy and took a very different approach to engaging youth than found in the standard lecture.

3. When we screened the film, through a colleague at York, who turned out to have a brother in publishing, we also learned about the companion book to the documentary, which is incredibly sustainably produced. From him, we learned that the appearance of these kinds of books tends to have limited appeal to the purchasing public. This is why the books in stores don't tend to look like the Go Further book: they don't really sell that well. In other words - environmentally friendly, unshiny, dull-looking books don't cut it on the shelf - YET.

So there you have it, the boring story of why I got involved in this nomination. We did a bunch of research into and learning about a couple of key items of academic life - documentaries and books and learned about Woody Harrelson, too. And, as a good academic should be, I was also rather skeptical about the nomination venture. As I wrote in my letter:

"Mr. Harrelson has turned out to be an embodiment of our new York slogan and our old motto, that the way must be tried. Who would have thought that the goofy bartender from “Cheers” would turn out to be such an important environmental leader and activist?"

If universities are to be leaders, then we must be receptive to different modes of teaching and learning, and be prepared to recognize and honor them.

Dawn Bazely

CBC: Harrelson to get York U honorary degree

Published October 14, 2009 by afdubreu

The following appeared in the Saturday, October 10, 2009 edition of CBC News and quotes IRIS Director Dawn Bazely:

Last Updated: Saturday, October 10, 2009 | 4:57 PM ET

York University in Toronto is conferring an honorary doctorate on actor Woody Harrelson for his work on environmental issues.

Woody Harrelson lives in a self-sufficient community in Hawaii with his wife and three daughters. (Dan Steinberg/Associated Press)

Harrelson, now appearing in the movie Zombieland and coming up in the Canadian film Defendor, will get the accolade during convocation ceremonies Oct. 17, the university said in a news release.

The 48-year-old actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for The People v. Larry Flynt and was a series regular on Cheers, has also made a name for himself by promoting sustainability issues.

"Mr. Harrelson's understanding of why we each need to reduce our ecological footprint is authentic, and his efforts to inspire others to grasp and act on this concept provide an object lesson for those of us who teach," said Prof. Dawn Bazely, director of the Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability at York.

Harrelson lives a simple lifestyle in Hawaii with his wife, Laura Louie, and three daughters in a mostly self-sufficient community. The couple also run an organic food delivery company.

Most notably, he embarked on a bicycle tour, accompanied by a bio-fuelled bus, of the Pacific Coast Highway in 2001 to promote organic living.

Harrelson — a proponent of marijuana use, hemp products and yoga — lectured at college campuses along the way.

The tour was the subject of the Genie-nominated documentary Go Further, directed by acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Ron Mann.

Harrelson and his wife also set up the Voice Yourself website, a virtual one-stop shop for youth, small businesses, educational institutions and non-government organizations to promote their environmental programs.

News