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COP-17 DeBrief

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On January 12th, 2012, IRIS will be hosting a debriefing of COP-17 with the delegation from York University and the youth delegation from Nanisiniq: Arviat History Project to share their experiences at this year’s COP talks in Durban, South Africa. York University delegates include Ewa Modlinska who is completing her Masters in Environmental Studies and Alex Todd, MA candidate in the Department of Geography. In addition, the panel will be joined by Associate Professor Ellie Perkins and Postdoctoral Fellow Rachel Hirsch from the Faculty of Environmental Studies who have expertise in this area. The youth delegation from the Arviat History Project will be represented by April Dutheil, a social advocate and researcher on the issues of the Canadian North. The debrief is an open disscussion and participation from the audience is welcomed.

Event Details

COP-17 Debriefing

Date: January 12, 2012

Time: 3pm to 5pm

Location: Stedman Lecture Halls (SLH) Room 120E at York University, Keele Campus

If you cannot attend in person, you can still join us electronically at http://connect.yorku.ca/cop17debrief

Recording

View the recording of this event: http://connect.yorku.ca/p29713350/

 

Clinton Global Initiative University

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Dear Student,

The application to attend the 2012 meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), hosted by President Clinton, is now available.  Click here to apply online.

The deadline for applying to attend the meeting is Tuesday, January 17th.

President Clinton will host CGI U 2012 at The George Washington University from Friday, March 30th to Sunday, April 1st, 2012.  CGI U is President Clinton’s initiative designed to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world.  Each CGI U student member makes a Commitment to Action: a specific plan of action that addresses a pressing challenge on their campus, in their community, or in a different part of the world.

CGI U is proof that young people have the power to make a significant impact by confronting some of the world's most urgent challenges.  I hope you have the chance to experience this event in DC.

For more information on CGI U, please apply online.

CLIMATE CHANGE : CANADA’S SHAME

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Peter Kent has announced Canada will pull out of the Kyoto Accord. Not only is Canada abdicating its responsibility to fulfil its obligations to drastically reduce GHG emissions, but Canada is actively undermining the will of other nations to take action during this most critical period. 


Furthermore, Peter Kent has announced "Nor will we devote our scarce dollars to capitalize the new Green Climate Fund - part of the Durban agreement - until all major emitters accept legally binding reduction targets and transparent accounting of greenhouse gas inventory." 

Our emissions continue to rise. Current science advises that we must limit global temperature rise to 1.5º C. The non binding "agreement" at Durban puts us on track for a global temperature rise of 4º C. Earth at such a range is not the same Earth as that on which human civilization emerged. Most species, plants and humans included, will not be able to adapt to rapid changes in temperatures.  Such a rise signifies the end of life as we know it. 

We are a wealthy nation, well equipped to do our part to reduce GHG emissions, and to demonstrate compassion towards our fellow humans and companion species. Yet, under the current misleadership, we pretend to participate in international negotiations; Canada insinuates itself   into the process only to dismantle the hard won plan for survival. Canada selfishly puts profit over life. 

This is Canada's shame.
HUNGRY FOR CLIMATE LEADERSHIP
In response to the federal government's decision to abandon the Kyoto Protocol, we are holding a candlelight vigil of hope and solidarity at the Constituency Office of Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment on Wednesday, December 21. 
Meet at the SW corner of *Steeles and Yonge at 3:30 pm, 
to walk (30 minutes) to Peter Kent's Constituency Office, 7600 Yonge St.(on the west side of Yonge St., midway between Elgin and John)

or join us there any time (4 pm - 6:30 pm).

*By TTC, make your way to Finch station, then take bus #53 or #60 a short ride north to Steeles and Yonge.

Speeches, meditation, poetry readings, and music. 

Dress warmly. Bring a candle and drip catcher. 

Noisemakers, drums, other instruments welcome!

A symbolic fast will be held from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning. If you’re fasting, let us know: info@torontoclimatecampaign.org or on Facebook. You’re welcome to break the fast with us: Drop in between 8:00 to 9:30 am on Thursday December 22, at Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue - walk N of St. George station).

Please take action. Contact your MP!

Lobby your representative to act now on climate change before it is too late. 

“We Canadians need to learn to be outraged by the outrageous.

We need to learn that democracy is now a full contact sport that

requires us to repeatedly raise our voices in order to be heard” –

Matt Price, in the Huffington Post, Dec. 15, 2011

"When we compromise the air, water, soil and the variety of life, we steal from the endless future to serve the fleeting present" - Dr. Kirsty Duncan, MP

"If we burn even half of Earth's remaining fossil fuels we will destroy the planet as humanity knows it" - James Hansen 

SEI Seminar Series Breakfast: Combined Heat and Power, and District Heating Strategies

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Discussion panel and site visit

Monday, December 12th, 9-11AM

Markham Convergence Centre (7271 Warden Ave, Markham)

Followed by a tour with Graham Seaman (City of Markham) from 11AM-Noon

Using local and international projects as examples, speakers will discuss Combined Heat and Power and District Heating. The tour will allow participants to visit heating and cooling production assets, combined heat and power generators, and Markham District Energy’s (MDE) thermal storage facility. MDE operates the fastest growing district energy system in Canada serving Markham’s downtown core. This event is free, but registration is required due to limited space.RSVP to tarob@yorku.ca and indicate if you plan on attending the tour following the seminar.  ------- David Suzuki Foundation: Camp Suzuki Applications Open ------ The David Suzuki Foundation is recruiting ten motivated community teams to be selected for the first-ever Camp Suzuki leadership training program taking place in Toronto in January. The inaugural Camp Suzuki training will focus on developing projects in communities surrounding the Rouge River watershed – a wilderness gem in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area where we are working to establish Canada’s first urban National Park.

Find out more about Camp Suzuki in the Rouge, including FAQs and dates:

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/join-camp-suzuki-in-the-rouge/

Mindfulness Meditation

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Hey there fellow York U Clubs!

Sharper mind? Better grades? These are only some of the many benefits of Mindfulness Meditation!
Please find attached a poster announcing the CSSA's first ever Meditation Seminar that is happening next week Dec. 7th at 4pm. We know this time of year is stressful and hectic and that is why we're opening up this FREE event to all York Clubs and their members.

We'd truly appreciate it if you could share this information with your club! Please don't hesitate to contact us via email with any questions you may have.

Global Day of Action on Climate Change

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Join us on the Global Day of Action on Climate Change, December 3, 2011. This is midway through COP17, the 17th  Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which takes place from November 28 to December 9, 2011. Working Together, Saving Tomorrow Today is how it is framed.

Please join us at Oakham Lounge, 2nd Floor of Oakham House, Ryerson University, 63 Gould St. on Saturday, December 3rd. As of 10 am we will hear speakers from Toronto and see supporting videos. We have a growing number of people on the ground in Durban who will skype in with live updates as their schedule permits. Discussion of action going forward will ensue. It is also anticipated that there will be a march with Occupy Toronto at 2 pm.

SATURDAY, December 3, 2011
Oakham Lounge, 2nd floor, Oakham House
Ryerson University, 63 Gould St.

10 am on…

Speakers, videos (Patrick Bond on system change, Wild Law with Cormac Cullinan)

Skype-in, live update from Durban. Those confirmed to date:
Patrick Bonin (AQLPA, Association Québécoise de Lutte contre la Pollution Atmosphérique)
Crystel Hajjar (CYD, Canadian Youth Delegation)
Toby Davine (CYD, Canadian Youth Delegation)
Hannah McKinnon (CAN,Climate Action Network)
Steven Guilbeault (Equiterre)
Richard Girard (Polaris Institute)
Mardi Tindal (Moderator, United Church of Canada)
Andrea Peart (CLC)
Gerry LeBlanc (USW)
Discussion, action going forward

2 pm
March in solidarity with Occupy Toronto

Organized and hosted by:
Toronto Climate Campaign
Council of Canadians Toronto Chapter
Toronto People's Assembly on Climate Justice
CESAR - Continuing Education Students' Association of Ryerson

Coffee and a light snack will be available. Please BYO mug and lunch!

If you are interested in tabling, please contact   info@torontoclimatecampaign.org

Sustainable Energy Initiative

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Join the Faculty of Environmental Studies Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) as we explore local and international projects relating to Combined Heat and Power and District Heating, followed by a site tour of Markham District Energy with the Town of Markham's Graham Seaman.

Event is free, but registration is required.  Please indicate if you plan on attending the tour following the seminar event.

Please RSVP to tarob@yorku.ca

 

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