What we’re about
EARTH LOVERS! Make Earth Great Again. We're non experts talking solutions & exploring emotions. HOW can we talk to friends/family/co-workers about climate change more effectively? Why do these conversations too often end in frustration? How can we embrace and reckon our own grief about the rapidly changing Earth? What are the most viable solutions? What MEGA actions can we take in our own beautiful city? What has Vancouver already accomplished? And the Big Q: When will Delta and Richmond become unihabitable mud? When will Stanly Park become an island? If you are interested in learning from our revolving team of expert presenters, or If you are a nerd or geek with a knowledge fetish who wants to share your expertise, we need you too. Our conversations are left brain simple simple, right brain deep, and heavily oriented toward exploring scenarios, conditions and mindsets to enable a sustainable world. So come to a MEGA Meetup. Make Earth Great Again. If you are worried and fearful of the future we are leaving for our kids, and want to explore your own feelings and emotions in a more private context, then join our "HOT and BOTHERED" Climate Meetups too!
This meetup is for everyone, from age 1-100 who is interested in global warming solutions based on climate science, technology, economics, and eco-psychology. Would you like to learn more? Do you already know a lot and want to share, meet others, and develop and implement solutions? Atmospheric changes are happening far faster than most scientists and models predicted. There is nothing we can do to stop it, but much we can do to ameliorate and mitigate climate impacts on future generations, ecosystems, and the economy. In this meetup we gather to discuss all the latest and greatest science, technology, economy, and eco-psychology news, information, and innovation. We help develop solutions for Vancouver, the millions of nearby residents, and the rest of the planet. BUT sorry Richmond and Delta, you're going under. We also forest bath! Yup.....we schedule hikes to hug trees!
Each monthly meetup is 2 hours, with new subjects and special guests alternating each month. We devote 30 minutes per topic to a participant-led, rapid-fire discussion of: science; psychology; and innovation economy; with a 30 minute wrap-up to discuss action and implementation. Every other meetup features a surprise special-guest to lead us in group discussion on emerging issues. Each meetup is catered with vegetarian/vegan delights and drinks. Come 30 minutes early to chat and prep. Stay 30 minutes after for a nightcap. Fee: $20.
Science. The scientific method has turned science into a bastion of conservatism, resulting in dramatic error in accounting for the immediate severity and sudden onset of climate change and eco disaster. The climate crisis is happening far faster than most scientists thought. The UNIPCC is now calling for “urgent and unprecedented changes” to achieve reductions in carbon emissions of 45% by 2030 to keep warming to 1.5 degrees C, beyond which catastrophic floods, extreme weather and famine will result. Yet still, no major developed country on earth is forecast to reach these emissions targets. This has made many say, “its not the science, it’s the economy, stupid!” But is it? Or is it human behavior? What is the role of science? If not science, then what?
Health and Psychology – Climate-related mental health problems are on the rise globally. From chronic physical disorders to minor stressors, people’s emotional ability to cope with the advancing climate crisis is changing. Many are in denial or do not realize they are affected psychologically, possibly resulting in myriad unreported minor mental health disorders that affect productivity, creativity and interpersonal relationships. Climate / Eco Anxiety (solastagia) is now widely recognized as a mental disorder: American Psychology Association (2018), The American Medical Association (AMA 2019), and soon in the Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMMD 2020). The Climate Psychology Alliance is concerned that climate-related illness / disease is rapidly expanding globally.
Innovation / Economy– Its hard to innovate in the climate arena when ¾ of us feel worried, ½ feel helpless, and most have our heads buried in the sand. Nonetheless, innovation is happening at breathtaking speed. We discuss innovation and economy in many arenas ranging from public policy and planning, to tech innovation labs, to community empowerment vehicles. We look into citizen mobilization, conservation, transportation, energy, building codes, atmospheric interventions, carbon capture, manufacturing, heat pumps / energy transfers, agriculture, EV’s and other innovations, and socioeconomic / cultural implications and limitations.
Whether you are 20 or 80, you are welcome here. Join Activist / Scientist Andy Miller for rousing and heartfelt discussions. Andy spent 20 years as Staff Scientist for a major charity. He has multiple degrees in Science and Social Psychology. His current work helps “Earth Entrepreneurs” develop successful business and marketing models. Andy is a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance, an international team of thousands of professionals, helping examine and solve eco anxiety.
