I’ve been a little quiet on my website of late, and that’s because I’ve been preparing for a great event that I’m really excited for on September 21, 2014: People’s Climate Forum – Cape Breton!
This is promising to be a great event, bringing together people from all over Cape Breton Island to talk climate change, share ideas, and get inspired. Click here for our poster (People’s Climate Forum Sept21), or visit our Facebook site for more information.
Here’s our press release:
On Sunday, September 21st New Dawn’s Films for Change and Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo Willox, Canada Research Chair and Assistant Professor in Community Health, Cape Breton University, will host the Island’s first People’s Climate Forum at the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation.
The People’s Climate Forum will bring the community together for a variety of conversations to discuss and learn about climate change in Cape Breton and Atlantic Canada. Through film, music, dialogue, and debate, this event seeks to inspire ideas and actions to create a stronger and more sustainable Cape Breton community.
The event coincides with the largest ever climate march as world leaders gather in New York City for a historic summit on climate change, and is one of over 90 events planned across the country. “September 21st marks not only a global day of action,” explains Ashlee Cunsolo Willox, one of the event’s organizers, “but also an opportunity for people to exchange ideas on sustainability-focused actions we can all take and to celebrate our resiliencies and strengths.”
The People’s Climate Forum will feature the Cape Breton premiere of a new documentary film, Attutauniujuk Nunami/Lament for the Land, created by Ashlee Cunsolo Willox and the Inuit communities of Nunatsiavut, Labrador. This film weaves together the voices and wisdom of Labrador Inuit to tell a powerful story of change, loss, and hope in the context of rapid climate change in the North.
“The incredible power of film affords communities the opportunity to learn together while raising awareness of important social and environmental issues,” shares Nicole Cammaert, co-organizer and Director of Community Engagement and Education at New Dawn Enterprises. “It can also serve as the impetus for deep dialogue, action and social change. It is our hope that this first People’s Climate Forum will break open a larger, and continued discussion about climate change and sustainability on the Island.
The forum will include musical performances from Sons of Membertou and other musicians, children’s learning activities, and community conversation tables hosted by local resource people on a range of climate change topics including health, impacts on fisheries and coastal areas, Mi’kmaq understandings of sustainability, and community engagement and development for positive social change.
The People’s Climate Forum will take place at the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation, the former Holy Angels High School from 12:00-4:00PM on September 21st. All ages are welcome to attend and admission is free. All are encouraged to bring a coffee mug and a willingness to listen, share, and be inspired.
Ashlee Cunsolo, PhD 