When Brechtian Cabaret met the United Nations

Last week I was in New York to participate in 'Risk! A Climate Cabaret', which takes a light-hearted but poignant look at climate change and financial risk. It follows the success of 'The Financial Follies', which took a wry look at the devastating impact of the subprime mortgage crisis. No, not a jot of this is light material; yes, it's worthy of drama, and my-oh-my does it give great running to Satire.

My participation dates back to 2016, when I first met the indomitable Professor Janis Sarra through the equally determined academic, director and writer Dr Helen Eastman. The week in New York saw Professor Sarra delivering her paper at the United Nations Commission on Trade Law. She was fronting the Canadian Delegation in Working Group V: Invsolvency Law, discussing asset tracing and recovery and considerations for further work. This is in pursuit of a mandate to further the progressive harmonization and modernization of the law of international trade. We'd been for pizza the night before. Life can be wonderful.

Since 2016, we've toured venues and conferences around the globe, gathering conversation and debate, working towards sustainable, just and urgent change.

The cabaret was performed at the beautiful Scandinavia House on Park Avenue, with music played on nothing less than comedian-conductor-pianist Victor Borge's baby Steinway. It was written and performed by brilliant MD-Composer Alex Silverman.

Performed by UK-based ensemble @live.canon and volunteer scholars, the event was co-hosted by Canada Climate Law Initiative | L'initiative canadienne de droit climatique, Live Canon, Allard School of Law, St John's University School of Law and the Center For Urban Environmental Reform.

Climate change is emerging as a serious financial risk. Scientists report that global warming poses an existential threat to humanity and to the planet. Bank regulators advise that absent new risk management strategies, a financial crisis due to climate change could be even more severe than the 2008 global financial crisis. At the same time, a just transition to net-zero offers tremendous economic opportunities.

With thanks to @voicestudycentre for their vital support.

#vocalcoaching #songanddance #research #reparation #justtransition #cabaret #conversation #hope