TACKLING  THE  ENVIRONMENTAL  CRISIS

Together We Can

 April 6, 13, & 20  at 7 p.m. on Zoom

A special series of three webinars on environmental issues featuring highly-acclaimed speakers

Three public webinars were offered by CFUW-Nepean, CFUW-Kanata, and CFUW-Ottawa, on successive Wednesdays in April 2022 at 7p.m. (Eastern Time) 

Our goal was to empower individuals to take action and to raise awareness of ways we can, as individuals and groups, help restore our stricken planet to a healthy equilibrium.

* You can view the introductory (silent) slides here.

April 6:  Plastic Free July   Rebecca Prince-Ruiz  

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz is the founder of a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. 

With 30 years’ experience in the world of environmental and waste management, community engagement, and behaviour change, Rebecca has a unique perspective on the role of individuals in tackling environmental issues. She believes it is critical to stop the waste problem at the source and that we all need to take responsibility for changing our throw away culture.

Eleven years ago, concerned by the amount of plastic going into landfill, Rebecca encouraged her own family to go (single-use) plastic-free for the month of July. Her idea is now a global initiative, the Plastic Free July challenge. 

Rebecca has worked with communities, governments, and business leaders on reducing single-use plastics.  At a local level, she hosts presentations and workshops for schools, business, local governments and other community groups to increase awareness of the plastics issue and the solutions available. She is now Executive Director of the Plastic Free Foundation, a non-profit group that delivers the annual Plastic Free July challenge with the ultimate vision of a world without plastic waste. Rebecca is a regular media commentator who has created a vast following on social media. The Plastic Free July challenge has grown into a global movement that in 2021 helped an estimated 140 million participants in 190 countries (including 900,000 Canadians) reduce single-use plastic.

Rebecca's book Plastic Free: The Inspiring Story of a Global Environmental Movement and Why It Matters documents the Plastic-Free movement and motivates others to do more for the planet. https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

* Watch the video recording on YouTube

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April 13:  To Speak for the Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger

Diana Beresford-Kroeger & Bill Steer
The global forest is essential for humanity’s future on earth. Renowned biochemist and botanist Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger is on a mission to share the ancient wisdom of the trees and bring about a renewed connection to the Global Forest.

Diana holds a PhD in biology, degrees in botany and medical biochemistry, and in 2019, she was recognized by Carleton University for her efforts to preserve the climate and the forests with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. Diana possesses a unique combination of western scientific training and an understanding of the knowledge and methods of ancient cultures,  and she has been lauded for her ability to demystify scientific complexities. Diana's bioplan challenges individuals to participate in the replanting of the global forest in whatever way they can.   https://dianaberesford-kroeger.com/

Diana Beresford Kroeger was featured in a NYT article on Feb. 24, 2022  
Read it here: Using Science and Celtic Wisdom to Save Trees (and Souls) 

 PDF copy :  DBK-NYTimes Profile 2-24-2-22.pdf

Wilston Steer aka “Back Roads Bill” is the Founder and Director of the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) in Mattawa, Ontario.  He holds degrees and diplomas from Laurentian University, McMaster University, and Durham College, and he teaches outdoor/environmental education at Nipissing University.   Bill has been writing environmental articles and advocating for change for what seems to be a lifetime: He is an author, researcher, explorer, podcaster, and long-time contributor to CBC's Morning North programming.  Bill will be discussing the need for good forestry practices and stewardship with Diana. https://www.canadianecology.ca/

* Watch the video recording on YouTube

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April 20:  A Good War  by Seth Klein

Seth Klein is a public policy researcher and writer based in Vancouver, BC

Seth is the team lead and Director of Strategy with the Climate Emergency Unit. This project was launched in early 2021 by the David Suzuki Institute. Prior to that, Seth served for 22 years as founding director of the British Columbia office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), Canada’s foremost policy research institute committed to social, economic and environmental justice.

Seth has been a social activist for over 35 years and a frequent media commentator on such issues as climate policy and climate justice, fiscal policy, taxation, welfare policy, poverty, inequality, economic security, and job creation. He grew up in Montreal, earned  a B.A. in International Relations and a B.Ed. from the University of Toronto, and an M.A. in Political Science from Simon Fraser University.

Now, Seth is a freelance policy consultant, speaker researcher and writer, and author of A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency. He is also a columnist with the National Observer, an adjunct professor with Simon Fraser University’s Urban Studies program, and he remains a research associate with the CCPA’s BC Office.  https://www.sethklein.ca/book

Watch the video of Seth Klein on YouTube

This event was inspired by the Resolution, adopted by CFUW at its AGM in 2021, supporting a ban on single-use plastics in Canada and implementing the Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste.

Thank You

We are grateful for the support of these contributors who have made this webinar series possible.

	Theresa     Kavanagh	City Councillor for Bay Ward 7
	Joel Harden	MPP Ottawa Centre
	CFUW Ontario Council	https://cfuwontcouncil.org/
	Climate Emergency Unit	https://www.climateemergencyunit.ca

https://www.canadianecology.ca