Approximately 150 people gathered at a town hall on Thursday to play their part in the global movement towards climate action.
“We're here because our planet is warming. 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are the top hottest years on record,” said the vice-president of the Central Student Association Horeen Hassan as the evening commenced.
“We're here because the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report came out telling us that we only have approximately 10 years to change everything before we pass the point of no return.”
The Green New Deal Town Hall in Peter Clark Hall at the University of Guelph was the second Green New Deal event this year following one in June where approximately 200 residents gathered to develop a set of ‘green light goals’ to be taken to political leaders after the current federal election so they can adopt them on their respective platforms.
“This event came about because people at the first event wanted more. Like wanted more conversation, wanted to know what to do next,” said organizer Zac Baribeau.
He said rather than brainstorming ideas to send off for the pact for a Green New Deal in Canada, it is time to come up with action items for people to take on themselves.
“A lot of people, I think are kind of paralyzed by the idea that ‘it’s just me, what can I do?’” said Baribeau.
The event was twofold. It included a diverse group of speakers who talked about various actions they took upon themselves in their lives. Professor of philosophy Karen Houle at the U of G spoke about her dedication to safely release water left unattended in plastic water bottles for the past seven years — an initiative she said saved 3,000 litres of water by her alone.
Baribeau said by people sharing their stories, others can connect and realize that these people are regular people and understand that 'I too can do something.'
Participants at the event then took part in an activity to work together to generate action in a range of scales from international activism to individual action on topics introduced at the first event.
Topics included introducing climate change in the school curriculum, supporting and following Indigenous leadership, investing and adopting a sustainable energy system, protecting and providing clean water, transitioning to green public transportation, divesting from fossil fuels, realizing zero waste, redefining work and transitioning to regenerative agriculture.
