Nov 5, 2009 Check Out A Video Of The Speaking Event
Oct 19, 2009 Check Out Our New Photos Of The Tour On Flickr.
Kairos Leaders Send A Message To Their MPs
Oct 17, 2009 – Rahul Inspires At Diwali
Jessica Bell
We collaborated with the awesome Oye Times Media to host a Diwali event filled with lights, entertainment, and the climate change message on Saturday. We could tell the event was going to be great when the restaurant was half full even before the doors had officially opened. The event was super glamorous and super well organized, with photographers, TV Asia, the Asian Television Network and more all wanting to meet our ethical
Bollywood Star Rahul. Rahul and Climate Action Network spoke about the need for Canadians – who hail from the richest country in the world, and who have benefited immensely from oil – to do the right thing and make sure our elected officials help the world’s poorer countries, including India, transition a green economy and address climate change. Rahul talked about how India holds 1/6th of the world’s poor, who depend upon the reliability of the weather to survive. Extreme weather events, like flooding, he warned, will severely affect our farmers, our poor, and our fisherfolk. Rahul also spoke about how climate change is disproportionately affecting the world’s poor women, who are often responsible for feeding their familes and providing them with fresh drinking water.
Rahul’s presentation inspired some of the other performers to take action. Prita Chabra pledged to donate 50% of all proceeds from any sales of her CD “Spread the Word” that evening to Oxfam Canada and Climate Action Network.
We are super appreciative! Thank you also to Atmosphera Bar for hosting our event!
Oct 17, 2009 – Rahul Does A Media Tour In Mississauga
By Shweta Subramanian, Bollywood Singer and MC
Very few times in life one feels the need to prepare for an interview, especially a conversation taking place with a Bollywood Actor. Out of the many few times, that one time for me, was today. I was scheduled to have Actor Rahul Bose come into studios at 10:00 am. For the past 4 days I have been reading on his life, work, filmography & most importantly the climate change cause he is supporting via OXFAM. Although the website states that Rahul Bose is the Brand Ambassador for Oxfam South Asia, Rahul humbly clarifies that he is one of the Global Ambassadors for Oxfam South Asia speaking on behalf of Climate Action Network (CAN). I have heard heaps about Rahul’s arrogant nature but I am sorry to be the heartbreaker!! He is a darling. Never expected so much humility, sincerity & simplicity from a fine actor like Rahul Bose. His eyes sparkle when he talks about his 13 year old niece. I still remember the statement made by Lauren – ‘He is such low maintanence ‘ I wouldn’t want this statement to be misinterpreted as Rahul’s lack for glamour & luxury. At 40 plus, he looks half his age & is glory personified. Aside from being an actor, I always knew that he was a director, producer, scriptwriter & social activist. But today, I had a new finding. He is also a rugby player. As they say…you learn something new every singly day. Hearing him speak about rugby is so fascinating as you can hear & feel the passion he shares for the game. In 1998, Rahul Bose was part of the first Indian national team to play Asian Rugby Football Union Championship at an international level. I asked him how come he is so multi-talented. He jokingly replied: He is multi but not talented. He humbly stated – If you sleep less, you will have loads of time to take care of everything you want. But, you can sleep less and feel less fatigue only when you enjoy what you are doing. That said it!!! He shares a passion for rugby, acting, directing, production, scriptwriting and helping the needy.
Our entire conversation revolved regarding my queries of whether global warming is a hoax ? His views on the stimulus package of $40 billion that President Barack Obama has announced towards creating renewable & cleaner sources of energy. We also discussed the conference taking place in Copenhagen later this year on December 2009 where politicians will meet and hopefully come towards solutions to deal & tackle climate change. As per our discussion, the developing countireswill need atleast $150 billion a year to cope with the effects of climate change!!! The interesting thing Rahul said during the interview was ‘ Shweta, you have done such extensive research on this issue, I am impressed’ It’s hilarious how he thought a Bollywood singer would not know much on Climate Change. In India, he is used to getting only Bollywood and mirch-masala related questions. The questions get more personal than professional & intellectual.
Rahul did not shy away in talking great lenghts about his love for women. I did not bother to intrude into knowing about a current woman in his life. I am sure he appreciated my non-intrusion into his personal life. The first few things you would notice about Rahul is that he is a stickler for time, simple, sincere & humble. I will always remember Rahul Bose for these characterestics. I told Rahul how it is nice to come aross a social activist who walks the talk. He seemed sligtly amazed with my statement!!! Obviously when we live in world where we witness politicians making so many false promises, another celebrity talking about a change seems questionable. I am prepared to visit his home one day and not find air conditioners or anything that burns a lot of energy. To this simple-tini let’s toast a martini or beer (as Rahul would prefer it)
Looking forward to my performance at Rahul Bose Diwali event on October 17/09. No prizes for guessing as I have already told Rahul that I will be singing the song ‘Sajna ve Sajna’ from one of his films Chameli. Happy Diwali to all my readers. May this Diwali bring each one of you tremendous success, happiness, peace & prosperity.
Oct 17, 2009 – Christina Ora Travels To Guelph
Jessica Bell
Saturday morning, and Christina Ora, myself, and Katelyn from CAN traveled via our hybrid to a gathering of Kairos groups hosted at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Guelph. About 60 very enthusiastic people were in attendance. Sara Stratton from Kairos spoke about the need for groups to gather signatures for the Kyoto Plus petition, given that the global negotiations to secure a meaningful, just, and fair climate change treaty are less than 50 days, and Canada is still worst on the worst on climate change. Then Christina spoke about how climate change is affecting her home land. Her speech was inspiring, and deeply moving. She spoke about king tides – as high as the boards on basketball courts – that are ruining villages. She talked about the relocation that is taking place in some coastal villages, and how the elders don’t want to move because they life is connected to their land. They want to die their, yet their children, the youth, are demanding they move too so the whole community can survive. She spoke about farmers whose plantations are being destroyed due to inundation of sea water and salt. She also spoke about how she felt anger that the world’s rich (that’s us) are creating this problem, and they are experiencing the consequences.
After her speech, we encouaged ourselves to do a little more, and particularly pressure our elected officials to do the right thing on climate change. You can do that too: find your MP here. And find info on how to lobby and protest here. Many people attending the presentation came from swing ridings that both the liberals and the conservatives need to win in order to secure a majority federal government and hold power. Within the world of elections, these people’s voices matter, particularly now when the threat of an election is ever near.
Kairos folk were really into the group photo idea. Check it out below!
We also took individual photos of ourselves sending personal messages to elected officials. Check out more photos online!
Oct 15, 2009 – Christina Ora Inspires Eco Students in North York
By Rory Henderson
Award-winning public speaker Christina Ora gave her first presentation of her speaking tour today in front of over 50 high school students at the Peckham Centre in North York.
A total of 12 designated EcoSchools gathered for a workshop on how to make their schools more sustainable and environmentally friendly. (If you want to get involved in Eco Schools then please go to: http://ontarioecoschools.org/)
Christina was an inspiring conclusion to the event as she illustrated the very real effects of climate change on the Solomon Islands. She spoke of the tragedies that have occurred in her country, including the displacement of a large community due to flooding caused by anthropogenic global warming. Christina spoke with conviction and captivated her audience with her account of the consequences of this global crisis. While we may not be experiencing the effects in Canada, there are countries around the globe living with the reality of our mistakes.
Jessica Bell, CAN’s organizer, followed Christina with a presentation on the Canadian government’s unwillingness to cut emissions. Canada is now considered a hindrance to international negotiations regarding climate change, and this needs to change.
We then got together and created a banner with the messaging “Solve Climate Change Now”.
Eco School Students Tell Elected Officials To Solve Climate Change Now
Christina Ora shares her story with Eco School leaders in North York
Awesome to see this level of engagement!