The City of Calgary hosts our fourth annual Calgary Climate Symposium which provides citizens with the opportunity to continue the conversation about climate change. Calgarians, community leaders, entrepreneurs, prominent climate experts and City staff will gather virtually for a series of unique (and free) learning sessions from October 24-28, 2022.
The online symposium covers topics that explore how climate change affects Calgarians, why it is important to address it for the successful future of our city, and actions we and our neighbors can take now. It focuses on the underlying themes of building a low-carbon, climate-resilient and equitable future for all Calgarians.
“Adapting to and mitigating the negative impacts of climate change on our city are the cornerstones of the Calgary Climate Strategy,” said Carolyn Bowen, Director of Climate and Environment. “The Climate Symposium is a great opportunity for people to learn and empower themselves so they can take their own action against climate change. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation, learn from the experts and build their own toolbox as we work together towards net zero.”
The keynote session with Hetxw’ms Gyetxw, also known as Brett D. Huson, will talk about the convergence of indigenous knowledge and Western climate science; Indigenous perspectives on climate change; how indigenous peoples are affected and adapt and how they contribute to the transition to a low carbon economy. Huson is from Gitxsan Nation of the Northwest Interior of British Columbia, Canada. He has published a series of educational children’s books and works with the Prairie Climate Center at the University of Winnipeg to connect science and Indigenous knowledge.
Other sessions people can sign up for include Climate Equity, People-Centred Climate Actions, Cool Ways to reduce Impacts of Extreme Heat in Calgary, and more.
The five-day online event aligns with The City of Calgary’s Climate Strategy: Pathways to 2050 which outlines a path to net zero and climate resilient Calgary. It was approved by the Council in July 2022 and updates the earlier strategy to join the Council Climate Emergency Statement to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and to adapt to our changing climate at an accelerated pace and scale.
The 2022 Climate Symposium is free, virtual and open to the public. For complete program details and to register, visit calgary.ca/climatesymposium.
