Join an interactive day with a dynamic keynote, workshop sessions, student showcase and panel discussions to learn how to tranform worries about climate change into opportunities for hope and career development. Learn from experts, connect with climate researchers, find out about climate anxiety, and active ways to collaborate for a better future.
Friday, February 7th
10:00 am | Registration Opens
10:00 am | Light Refreshments and Networking
10:30 am | Welcome and Indigenous Welcome
Dr. Sarah Burch, PhD
Executive Director of the Waterloo Climate Institute & Professor, University of Waterloo
Dr. Elder Myeengun Henry
Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo
11:00 am | Keynote Presentation: Sustainability & Climate Action - A Call to Action to Addressing Climate Anxiety
This keynote address will explore the impacts of climate anxiety on youth and the rise of youth-led climate action. Attendees will gain insight into the keynote's own climate action journey and their new novel Rootbound centered around climate action in a science fiction setting.
Grace Nosek
Scholar, Storyteller, Climate Justice Advocate
11:30 am | Workshop Session: Climate Change Conversations
This interactive workshop will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected nature of climate change, climate anxiety, and finding climate hope. Gain valuable insights into how young people can spark creative and adaptable responses to these related challenges.
Amy Castator
Director, Project Neutral
12:00 pm | Lunch & Student Showcase
Enjoy a plant-based lunch while exploring student-led climate action research, projects, and art installations. Participants will be invited to vote for their favourite poster or art installation. There will also be a collective art wall participants can add their thoughts to throughout the showcase session.
1:30 pm | Panel Session: Building Climate Hope through Collaborations
This interactive panel will provide attendees with a an understanding of the ways we can work to build climate hope through our collaborations. Gain valuable insights from different perspectives from the local community level, student entrepreneur, climate justice advocate, and theatre workshop host. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss these topics further in the community building session following the panel.
3:00 pm | Community Building & Networking
Continue the discussion on generating climate hope and taking decisive steps to incorporating climate action in your future career at the social gathering. Enjoy a pretzel station, activity booth, and gain points to win some amazing prizes. Attendees can also contribute to the art wall with their final thoughts.
3:40 pm | Awards & Closing Remarks
Find out who won the best poster/art installation prizes and popular vote. Student Climate Council member will close the day with some final thoughts.