David Chernushenko
Energy Expert, Film Producer, Living Lightly Pathfinder, City Councillor
David Chernushenko advises individuals and organizations on adopting more sustainable and socially responsible practices on a practical level, while seeking personal fulfilment. He has played a leading role in "greening the Olympics" and started the NGO Clean Air Champions. David is the founder of The Living Lightly Project, a video and live lecture series and online community whose goal is to share the stories, solutions and passion of a growing movement of people working to build a rich future for all. He produced & directed Be the Change, an award-winning, uplifting documentary and Powerful: Energy for Everyone. His insights and stories leave audiences energized and empowered.
David Chernushenko explores and communicates ways to create healthy, abundant livelihoods for all citizens. He helps people and organizations prosper by tapping into personal values, creativity and enthusiasm and directing them toward actions that are both practical and fulfilling.
David’s adventurous spirit and diverse experiences have equipped him to share evocative stories and valuable insights with audiences and clients: He served as vice chair of Canada’s National Round Table on the Environment and Economy; he is a LEED “green building” accredited professional; he was a driving force on the International Olympic Committee’s commission on Sport and the Environment, he co-founded Clean Air Champions, a national charity that engages athletes in raising awareness about air pollution, climate change and the benefits of physical activity, and in November 2010 he wqs elected as a city councillor in Ottawa, Ontario.
Through his own consulting firm, David has advised public, private, and non-profit organizations in more than 20 countries on adopting more sustainable and profitable practices. His professional speaking clients are as diverse as the International Olympic Committee, the Busan (Korea) Business Woman's Association, the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs, the Electrical Distributors Association of Ontario, the Office of the Auditor General, the National Capital Commission, the Canadian Green Building Council and the Ottawa Regional Society of Architects.
David is currently producing The Living Lightly Project, a film series, empowering lecture and online community whose goal is to share the stories, solutions and passion of a growing movement of people working to build a rich future for all. The first film, Be the Change (2008) -- screened at numerous festivals – explores the challenges and rewards of, trying to live more lightly. David's new film Powerful: Energy for Everyone (released in Nov 2010) offers a set of solutions for powering a vibrant and healthy society with cleaner, safer sources. When screened in combination with David as a live speaker, his films make for an infectiously upbeat event.
David has written several books on sustainable management practices, including Sustainable Sport Management, and Greening Our Games: Running Sports Events & Facilities that Won't Cost the Earth, and the electronic publication Greening Campuses and their Communities.
He holds a B.A. in Political Studies from Queen's University and a Master's in International Relations from Cambridge University. David has lived, worked or studied in more than 30 countries. He is a fluent French speaker.
David Chernushenko's Blog Entries:
Marketing a Greener World: Selling a better future with the best of the present
Looking for Leadership - In the Right Places
A Clean Energy Economy - Power By The People, For The People
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1. We Have the Power: Joining the Clean Energy Revolution
Gas well blowouts, tar sands controversy and now the tragic nuclear accident in Japan – isn’t there a safer and cleaner way to meet our energy needs? Yes! A clean energy revolution is re-energizing people, communities, businesses and economies. Moving to a 100 percent renewable energy future is a key to social renewal, personal empowerment and reviving democracy. David Chernushenko shows us how we can ultimately meet our energy needs with renewable energy, if we choose to pursue a path that gives priority to conservation, community ownership and a "smart" energy network. He explores what our energy choices say about who we are, what we believe and where we are going as a society. He will leave you feeling energized, empowered and bursting to participate in the clean energy revolution. This multi-media presentation uses images from David Chernushenko's extensive travels and direct involvement in this field, and scenes from his extraordinary new film Powerful: Energy for Everyone.
WORKSHOP: A half-day workshop option will look at how your community, company or government can participate in and profit from the Clean Energy Revolution. -
3. A Bright Green Economic Renaissance: Choosing a Better Way Up
When a recession hits, it's hard not to think defensively. Cut back, protect what you've got and wait out the worst times. If this sounds sensible to you, then you're likely missing out on the great green opportunities that could be yours for the picking. A recession is the best time to shift direction, based on an honest evaluation of community and corporate values. When things start looking up again, do you want to go right back to where you were (as a person, a town, a company)? Or leap forward to a bright green future!
David Chernushenko guides you on a journey that walks you through an exploration of your assumptions, values and dreams, then takes you on a voyage of uplifting ideas, images and moving pictures of the bright green recovery and boom.
WORKSHOP: David delivers a speech/workshop on green economic renewal for municipal governments and business groups of all sizes. -
2. Living Lightly: Pursuing a Great Green Future, with Passion
Choosing to Live Lightly means imagining, building and sharing a world that works well for everyone.
In a time of rapid change, environmental degradation, resource scarcity and growing income disparity, leadership and decisive action are essential. But many "leaders" in politics and business don't seem up to the task; they are busy following outmoded models to solve new challenges.
Should we wait for new leaders? Or is it time for each of us to step up and be the change we wish to see in the world?
David shows us how leading is easier than we think. It feels good, and there are plenty of allies just waiting to join a team effort. A positive future lies in building personal and community resilience. So does the fun, the independence and the power.
This solution-filled talk establishes where we are now, proposes where we might like to go, confirms that it's possible, and shows what it will take to get there.
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David has a natural talent for connecting with people. He combines important information and insightful analysis with understated humour, making for a package that is engaging and genuine. David's upbeat approach and "lead by example" philosophy will make anyone want to join him on the journey to a better future.
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David was one of our final speakers whose role was to help inspire participants into action. He did a great job! He spoke with humour and humility. He was very engaging and helped everyone see how we could make a difference. Bottom line, he inspired many people to take action as we found out from emails and comments sent to us; and as I can testify to by the new laundry drying rack in my basement!
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MHPM Project Managers is a leader in delivering sustainable building solutions for our clients. I wanted a speaker who could take us further. David brought a message that both informed and emboldened us. His vision of business excellence that combines innovation, quality, environmental and ethical leadership was infectious. Our Sustainability Leadership Team is still feasting on his ideas.
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David Chernushenko is one of the most skilled communicators I have met, and certainly one of the best guests I have ever booked for CTV's Mike Duffy Live.
Why? - Because David is not only intelligent and creative, he is authentic.
Viewers quickly tire of hearing high-handed ideals pedaled by experts who do not practice what they preach. David is different because he lives his life the way real people do, and he has practical, understandable solutions to the seemingly larger-than-life problems posed by today's environmental troubles. David is "Good TV" – he knows how to capture interest and maintain it, even when discussing complex issues. -
As part of our corporate initiative, we had David come and speak to us regarding resiliency. We ended up with a packed room, an engaging discussion, and subsequent dialogue which is transforming thinking both in our organization, and with the personal lives of our family of staff.
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A Bright Green Renaissance: Choosing a Better Way Up, When Things are Looking Down, is a down-to-earth presentation that inspired every participant to become part of the solution. David's has a positive approach in redesigning a sustainable economy, and he also offered motivational and practical tools for Hearst and other small rural communities in northeastern Ontario, speaking in both English and French.
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David Chernushenko is an engaging speaker who's insight is responsive, yet sensitive to society's [ab]use of the environment we inhabit – both globally and at a regional level. His pro-active approach to how each individual can make a difference at any age or social demographic is both infectious and inspiring.
