Dear Prime Minister
September 22nd, 2008
“Dear Prime Minister” © 2008 Franke James
Photographs, illustrations and writing by Franke James, MFA (except tar sands photo by Andrew Penner)
Background Research & Resources:
Voters Guide to the Climate Crisis Election PDF Sierra Club of Canada [http://sierraclub.ca]
China passes stringent green laws Business Green News
China considers pollution tax Business Green News
China to become world’s largest investor in green energy The Telegraph UK
Taking the Wheel PDF The Pembina Institute [http://www.oilsandswatch.org]
Survey of Albertans on Oil Sands PDF The Pembina Institute [http://www.oilsandswatch.org]
Carbon 2008 PDF Corporate Knights [http://corporateknights.ca]
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 am
Another amazingly powerful visual essay. The message is so clear with excellent research to back up your statements. The reference to China is especially poignant because it proves that the problem can be remedied - it’s not too late. The weeping tree towards the end of the essay is brilliant. I will also cast my vote for the candidate who believes that it is an inherent obligation to care for the environment for the sake of future generations.
Well done!!!
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:31 am
VIA TWITTER:
A brilliant visual essay. Perhaps you want to share it on David Suzuki’s VoteEnvironment site http://www.voteenvironment2008.ca/
Tara Joyce
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 am
It’s scary that countries are only interested in cleaning up pollution when the rest of the World is watching them. Perhaps when the Olympics come to Vancouver, the politicians here in Canada will be more motivated to fix our environment as well.
This is an incredible visual essay. Each illustration is so powerful! I too will be voting for the party with the best plan for the environment. Keep up the good work in getting this message out - it is so important to educate people about the consequences of pollution.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
These are not taxes, they are investments in the future. Politicians won’t support initiatives that are far-reaching and global in effect because their time frame is the immediate future. Until this changes, nothing will change.
The problem is that we cannot afford not to change.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Proof that Canada has some catching up to do:
Chicago Outlines Climate Plan to Cut Greenhouse Gases
“When I became mayor, ‘climate change’ wasn’t on the radar for most cities, states and nations around the world - or even for most people,” Daley said in a news release. “But I believed then and believe even more deeply today that when you do such things as planting trees and creating open space, when you invest resources to remove pollution from the air and encourage the construction of buildings that are smart for the environment, then you enhance quality of life for all the residents of the city.”
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
VIA TWITTER
Great. An amazing visual essay you have there. Top quality.
Fabian Pattberg
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Another good one, Franke. (Good as in scary.)
You got Harper’s Perry Como cardigan down pat. But I think if Perry Como were alive today, he’d be horrified at our prime minister’s lack of soul.
“I’m not in politics to be loved,” says our prime minister. Well, sir, you’re doing a good job making sure nobody loves you but your oil baron buddies.
But wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that all the decisions he makes ON OUR BEHALF are because he loves his children? Which he clearly doesn’t or else he would give a damn about their health and their future. He simply will not admit that we can’t eat money. He flatly refuses to see the global climate change planetary emergency we’re in. He obviously isn’t smart enough to grasp the importance of biodiversity, or the connection between global average temperature increases, failing agriculture and the downfall of human civilization.
Scary times. Where is Churchill when we need him?
Thanks again, Franke.
Julie Johnston
GreenHeart Education
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Brilliant Franke! Something is very upside down indeed…
I especially love the way the visual themes are carried on from your other essays and on into this one. My favourite frame is Alice in front of the oil derrick.
Thanks so much for sharing your vision!
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
…….polar bears can only be found on toonie. great line.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
VIA TWITTER
Wonderful visual letter to Harper on economics and the environment in Canada by @frankejames!
Mike Soron
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:05 pm
VIA TWITTER
Hey, Canadian voters, read Franke James’s *wow* piece: “Dear Prime Minister” http://tinyurl.com/46eym2 (Great illustrations, too!)…
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:44 pm
This is brilliant, Franke - sooooooo well done!! Insightful & smart & thought-provoking. I love the Alice in Wonderland image……
I’m going to forward it to my various lists of contacts & some young people I know & ask them to forward it on too.
Good onya!!
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
BLOGGED BY NEW SOCIETY
Dear Prime Minister - New Franke James Essay
Franke James has posted a brilliant new visual essay, “Dear Prime Minister” to coincide with Canada’s upcoming federal election. Franke is one of our favourite environmental artists, and this thought-provoking essay is another powerful addition to her collection.
We are excited to be publishing a selection of Franke’s visual essays in our upcoming Spring season - we’ll bring you more information on the project as it unfolds!
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
FRANKE JAMES FOR PRIME MINISTER!
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Mary-Margaret,
I laughed!
Thanks for your support!
Franke
P.S. Check out our non-partisan election game, Whack the PM. I’ve whacked too many politicians to ever be one!
http://www.whackthepm.ca
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Brilliant. Get it on FB!
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
This is fantastic; Thank you!
I’ll be adding a link to our Facebook page and our web site.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
This is a brilliant depiction of the state of our environmental politics. More Canadians need to see this, Get it on TV or on a really big billboard!
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 am
Another great one Franke. Thanks for speaking the truth.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
VIA TWITTER
Great visual essay from @frankejames on pollution tax in Canada
http://twurl.nl/ue64wm
Sabina Podjed
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
VIA TWITTER
@frankejames: best post yet http://snurl.com/3t1xj. such a refreshing medium. deserves a blogging Emmy for this one. please retweet.
max gladwell
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
As an American, I admit ignorance about Canada-specific environmental initiatives but I’m aware of the global warming implications via the G-8 and other groups if things are not fixed now.
I’m haunted by your depiction (and warning) of polar bears on currency and not in the wild…and will be sharing this essay with like-minded individuals.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Thank you Franke for succintly pointing out the absolute silliness of politicians pitting the environment against the economy. As long as the powers that be think that the only progress is MORE, MORE, MORE of everything material, the world is at risk.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I had found the 12,000 sitting ducks post a few days back and really enjoyed the creative way of putting across a story.
But this one hits close to home …its not just a problem with Canadian politicians, its a general malaise that affects powers-that-be everywhere (for the most part!)
Anyways, you have a unique blog here. Using art to send your message across is so much more effective than preaching, which is a lot of green blogs indulge in (which is fine; only that it is usually to the already converted!)
Love the blog…hope to come back here often!
Cheers,
Sanjeev
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:32 pm
just saw that Times (UK) has an enviro-blog. This article there is relevant to your point about economy vs. environment; why the choice?
No hope for the planet unless we reform economy
http://timesonline.typepad.com/environment/2008/09/limits-to-growt.html
September 24th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Sanjeev,
Thanks very much for your wonderful comments and the link to the Times Online. It is very relevant.
Cheers,
Franke
September 24th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, Canada is “late for a very important date” with the truth.
Keep speaking truth to those who distort it to “spin” their way to power.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:00 am
[…] In her most recent blog she takes on the Prime Minister in a way that only Franke could. The essay, entitled “Dear Prime Minister, You say a pollution tax would wreak havoc on our economy…”, touches on a number of major issues facing Canadians today. The essay by no means tells you who to vote for, but it will make you think! And that’s the point, especially during this election and especially in these hard times.
Climate change is a reality, period! And as Franke notes in her essay, why are we being forced to choose between the economy and the environment? We tend to forget that without an environment we would not have an economy, as everything we consume and I mean everything comes from our environment. Food for thought…hopefully.
To read Franke’s essay click here: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=111, and before you cast your vote… THINK. […]
September 24th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Franke - you have done the job Dion is trying to do. I just wish he could see this. Perhaps it would help him simplify his message so the electorate can understand his Green Shift plan a little better. There’s still time.
Your visual essays are: Powerful. Stunning. Succinct. I think the sales handle is right there: Why are we being forced to choose between the economy and the environment? It doesn’t have to be that way.
Thanks Franke for giving us a unique way to look at the issues.
September 24th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
You are a modern hero!
I love your style - and your substance, of course.
Where can I order my limited edition hard copy?!
September 24th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
David,
Well that’s a bright idea! It would be cool to have the essay printed as a short-run book…
Thanks very much for your support (and compliment)!
I am having a small book of my essays published in the spring by New Society. This one won’t be in it but it’s a very good idea.
Cheers,
Franke
September 24th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Listen up Mr. Prime Minister!!
September 24th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Wowzers! This is FANTASTIC. Thanks so much for sharing it.
It so clearly articulates the risks of NOT acting. Policy analysts struggle to convey what you have so clearly expressed.
Thank you.
Elijah van der Giessen
http://www.DavidSuzuki.org
September 24th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Environmental website encourages strategic voting to stop Tories
Voteforenvironment.ca aims to avoid vote-splitting among left-of-centre voters, suggesting the divided opposition could help push the Conservatives to another election win. Read CBC article…
September 24th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Perfect! How do I send this to Stephen Harper?
September 24th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Kate,
Good question! I’ve been tweeting (http://www.twitter.com/PMharper) but I don’t know if he’s listening…
Thanks for your support!
Franke
September 26th, 2008 at 12:15 am
A great way to educate all the ‘kids’ and ‘bullies’ in Parliament!
Unfortunately all political parties appear to follow the growth model.
The word ’sustainable’ has been made meaningless with all the interpretations!
I am voting for the lessor evil and in my riding (North Vancouver Island) that is ABC and trying not to split the less evil vote!
p.s. I used the ‘only polar bear future generations will see is on a coin’ phrase years ago, and I am sure many others have too!, but kudos for the art!
Here in BC rather than a carbon tax that is revenue neutral, we need a tax that will be used to ‘rehab’ our way of life, to one that can live off the ‘interest’ rather than the ‘principle’ of our ‘earth’ bank account!
Why are we ’soiling’ our spaceship earth, when we don’t have another one!?
Follow the money!
September 26th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Ken,
Thanks for your very positive comment on my Dear Prime Minister letter — wouldn’t it be great if we could educate the ‘kids’ and ‘bullies’ in Parliament? Glad to hear you’re voting ABC.
I didn’t realize that the polar bear on a toonie was an ‘old’ saying! (What coin is the polar bear on other than the toonie?) But it’s obviously so good, it makes perfect ‘cents’ and we must circulate it more. When I thought of it, I literally ‘hit my forehead’ and felt stupid for not connecting the two ideas before! (Lateral thinking: an idea which appears obvious in hindsight)
Here is an image from an essay I did in Jan 2007 when the toonie (twoonie) first dropped — you’ll also spot other Canadian icons in A Green Winter: Will Global Warming be Good for Canada?
Cheers!
Franke
September 26th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Just noticed my Dear Prime Minister letter got ‘Dugg”!
http://digg.com/environment/Dear_Prime_Minister_Franke_James
Please Digg if you agree with my message!
Thanks!
Franke
September 26th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
An Open Letter on Climate Change Science to all Canadian Elected Government Leaders (June 2008)
Twenty years ago, Canada, as a leader in international environmental issues, hosted a conference in Toronto entitled “Our Changing Atmosphere: Implications for Global Security” The participants concluded that: “Humanity is conducting an unintended, uncontrolled, globally pervasive experiment, whose ultimate consequences are second only to global nuclear war.”
Signed by 130 Canadian climate science leaders from the academic, public and private sectors across the country: Canadian Climate Science Leaders
Read the full story and letter
September 26th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Surprisingly, even though Canada is a net oil exporter, Canada imports almost half our daily oil needs from Iraq, Algeria and other far away countries. World production will soon stop growing. The design of our pipeline and refinery system means that millions of Eastern Canadians cannot access Canadian oil no matter what the circumstances. This leaves millions of Canadians exposed to disruptions on the world oil market.
The carbon tax is about protecting the economy, not just about pollution. It’s a kick-the-oil-dependency tax that will help us adapt now to rising fuel prices and insecure supplies. Do it now by choice, or later by the market….
September 26th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Thanks for another thoughtful and beautiful essay.
Our world is too precious to trash. There are alternatives, and I know that if I have to live in a shack and have no electricity so that my children can breathe clean air and drink river water straight from the river, then that is what I will do.
We need to redefine wealth. It is a fool who sells off their inheritance for a few cheap toys.
September 26th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Hi Franke,
I just checked out your Visual Essays and I’m blown away by your art, the clarity and personality of your writing, your directness, and your green-conscious actions. I’m a Visual Recorder and I just started blogging, and I’d love it if you’d look at my blog and give me any feedback, even a pat of the back, or some back talk for that matter.
You inspired me to think about how my art can be connected with my yearning for environmental action.
Thank you.
Mariah
September 28th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
BLOGGED
Vote for the Green Economy
“Toronto artist Franke James has another brilliant and insightful visual essay about why voting for the environment IS a vote for the economy. There will be no economy in future without a major change of direction to an energy-efficient green economy….”
Stephen Leahy Environmental Journalist
September 28th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
VIA TWITTER
lamarguerite @frankejames just dugg your visual Dear Prime Minister letter; as usual awesome stuff - you should get into animation
September 28th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
VIA TWITTER
frankejames @lamarguerite Thank you! I’ve animated one essay: http://www.frankejames.com/greenwinter.html
Lots of fun (& lot of work). Plan to do more!
September 28th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
You have ‘given birth’ again Franke. This one equally as significant… I wonder what our world leaders actually see, or what rose colored glasses they are wearing, perhaps they are wearing blinders ?
September 29th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
[…] TORONTO, September 30 – Concerned that one day polar bears may only be found on Toonies, and that Canadian voters are wrongly being asked to choose between the economy and the environment on October 14th, Canadian artist Franke James has created a visual letter to Stephen Harper. “Dear Prime Minister, You say a pollution tax would wreak havoc on our economy…” See the visual letter […]
September 30th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I dugg it too. Hope this helps.
As I stated on Marguerite’s blog I really love your drawings and perspective. I wrote an article on my blog on tar sands and so on. The data is scary.
Keep up the good work Franke !
September 30th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Edouard,
Thanks for your comment and ‘digging‘ my letter.
Your site is a wealth of information with excellent articles referenced to back up the validity of concerns about climate change. I encourage people who want a deeper understanding of global warming to read your analysis and the facts you have assembled.
http://www.elrst.com/
Franke
September 30th, 2008 at 10:06 am
GO, Franke!!! And thank you
September 30th, 2008 at 10:26 am
In the Globe and Mail today, Gary Mason wrote a column encouraging politicians to rally their green courage before it’s too late. He wrote,
The irony I see is that the meltdown on Wall Street is causing extreme panic. While the melting of the polar ice caps is largely ignored.
But Mother Nature cannot be ‘regulated’ or ‘bailed out’. We must help Canadians to see that the consequences of global warming are having real economic impact now — and will have far more serious impact in the future if we do not act.
I sent out a press release today that I hope will help politicians to rally their courage.
“Will our children inherit a Canada where polar bears can only be found on Toonies?”
Canada Newswire link:
http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2008/30/c9511.html
Or you can read it on my site with visuals:
http://www.jamesgang.com/ideas/?p=53
Please spread the message that the economy and the environment are inseparable. Both Canadians and American are going to the polls shortly. That is our opportunity to vote for politicians who will take real action on climate change and move us towards a robust green economy.
~ Franke
October 1st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Wow! Very creative and compelling work! I’m sending this around to everyone I know!
Frederica
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Franke,
This visual essay is fantastic. I am sending it to my daughter’s teachers so that it can be part of their daily discussions. It is important that our kids know what is going on… The quality of your web site and obvious passion is inspirational.
Thank you so much for everything.
Tony
October 5th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I recommend Minqi Li’s article from Monthly Review on the relationship between the economy and environment and solving the climate crisis; it is a text-essay. He examines parameters that connect the economy to the environment (in terms of CO2 production) and what we need to do to bring down CO2.
October 6th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Alex,
Thanks! I hope my visual essays whet people’s appetites for more information. Sir Nicholas Stern’s “Review on the Economics of Climate Change” report from October 2006, recommends taking action on climate change. One recommendation of the Stern Report is to tax carbon pollution. To refrain from taxing — as Canada is doing — is unethical and irresponsible. It merely “passes the trash” onto the next generation — with potentially catastrophic results.
See: Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change
Here is an excellent article on taxing pollution — and how effective it can be in changing behavior:
Toronto Star article “The green shift: Buyer beware.” Reporter Mitch Potter quotes Martin Lidegaard, “Green taxes have one problem – they work. And the more effective they are, the less the government gets.” Lidegaard is chair of the Copenhagen-based think tank Concito.
Potter concludes, “When you tax income, people have nowhere to hide. But when you tax habits, people tend to change – so much so that eventually, there is no habit left to tax.”
If our goal is to end our addiction to fossil fuels and provide a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren, carbon pollution taxes are the best way to go.
Canada will impose carbon taxes eventually. It is the way of the future and is happening around the world. The only question is ‘when’ — and how much damage will have been done in the interim.
Cheers,
Franke
October 6th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Harper Government Suppresses Climate Report
Although the Conservative government has argued that a critical Health Canada report on climate change impacts is “too large” to be made available online, the DeSmogBlog has sourced a copy that you can now access through these links….
… The report warns of forest fires, drought, and increased deaths from smog, heat and disease - a grim scenario against which the Conservative government is taking virtually no action. In fact, the Harper government’s principal reaction was to try to suppress the report, now available only by snail mail, with delivery in “two to four weeks.”
The 500 page “Human Health in a Changing Climate study” was supposed to be released early in 2008, with a coast-to-coast public engagement exercise. Instead the Harper government quietly revealed the document’s existence this summer, canceled the publicity exercise and provided no on-line downloads.