Canadian author Tom Rand is coming to Nelson to speak about the dangers of passive denial when it comes to climate change. Taking a proactive approach to finding solutions, the entrepreneur will talk about the positive stories of clean energy abundance. The event is free for Selkirk College students.
Presented by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Rand will be at the Capitol Theatre on March 16 at 7 p.m. A former successful software entrepreneur, Rand will speak about his new book Waking the Frog: Solutions for Our Climate Change Paralysis and the Dangers of Passive Denial.
The title is based on the myth that if you put a frog in a pot of water and boil the water slowly, the cold-blooded creature will not hop out because its nervous system can’t pick up that it is slowly dying. Rand argues that our society is paralyzed by inaction and not focused on the positive stories of clean energy abundance.
“We’re human beings, we’re not the frog… all we have to do is wake up,” he says. “It is my belief that we have yet to have a serious, public conversation about the threat of climate change, and the economic opportunities afforded by the global transformation to a low-carbon economy.”
In his discussion, Rand will talk about the benefits of making change and ways to achieve a sustainable future. Rand looks to contemporary psychology, economics, business and finance to explain the inaction in the face of the climate change crisis.
He doesn’t just point fingers and attach blame; Rand will talk about our motivations, institutional lethargy and deeply buried assumptions about market economics. Tickets are $10. The event is sponsored by a host of community organizations and businesses including Selkirk College.