Join the Conversation on Climate Change

Climate change is ‘accelerating’, undergoing some of the largest changes recorded in the past 65 million years, say scientists from Stanford University. On May 27th and 28th join Elizabeth May and other experts to discuss local, regional and national solutions to climate change.

The countries who participated in COP21 in Paris last December agreed to take steps to limit emissions so that the global mean annual temperature would rise no more than 2oC of the pre-industrial mean. Canada was one of those countries. What will that mean for you, your job and your way of life? Join in the discussion at the Muskoka Summit on the Environment and provide input for policy makers.

“The idea that we have to pick between a strong economy and a healthy environment is outdated thinking”, states Stewart Elgie, a professor with the University of Ottawa. Elgie feels that there is abundant evidence, both in Canada and beyond, about how to “decouple” economic growth from environmental protection.

Drawing on the latest research and examples from across Canada and around the world, Dr. Elgie will discuss how to put Canada on the path to clean growth. This means retooling our energy, transport, building and industrial systems to adopt modern, low carbon technologies and processes, most of which already exist today.

Are our youth up for the challenge? There will be over 30 high school and university students at the Summit to ensure that we work toward a world they want to inherit.

Last year, a network of more than 60 scholars from all 10 provinces of Canada drafted a report entitled Sustainable Canada Dialogues. To build a collective vision of a pathway to sustainability for Canada, a Delphi survey was launched in June 2014. The Delphi survey identified six main areas for action:

  1. transition to a low-carbon economy
  2. transforming the energy system
  3. urban planning and transportation
  4. governance and institutions
  5. land use
  6. education, information and research

Dr. Catherine Potvin, from McGill University, will present these policy directions in the context of Muskoka. How does Muskoka transition to a low-carbon society? How will it impact how you live your life?

Register now to join the discussion at the 2016 Muskoka Summit on the Environment – Solutions for a Warming World, May 27th and 28th at the Rene Caisse Theatre in Bracebridge. Visit www.muskokasummit.org for more information.

 

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