Dear friends of climate action,
Now is a crucial time for activism! We are used to seeing summer a time to slow down - but this summer is not the time to slow down! We have a federal election coming in the fall and we have an action-packed June program… with plans for the summer too. Scientists tell us we have 11 years to cut 45% of our fossil fuel emissions. We need to act now! How can we do this? It’s time to have a conversation about what it means to be in a 'climate emergency'! How do we respond, as individuals, as a community? What do we expect of our politicians? We are encouraging everyone to host a discussion at their kitchen table, or other community location, inviting family, friends and neighbours to participate. On June 22nd ClimateFast and the GTHA Climate Hub offer a training day for potential hosts and facilitators at Friends House in Toronto. Please scroll down for more info and register!
We hope you can join us! Read on for a climate emergency petition link, and for info on training this Sunday and Monday, and Green New Deal town halls, climate films and other events. Together we can really make a difference!
Lyn Adamson, Co-chair, ClimateFast
Nathan Phllips Square climate strike rally May 24, thanks to Joanne Kaashoek.
Urgent petition! Will you support the call for the Canadian government to declare a climate emergency? Please say you agree at this link: https://campaigns.wedonthavetime.org/love-canada-motion-to-declare-a-climate-emergency-3c138716-0f80-4810-ad00-3883a21f2471
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TRAINING!!! We are delighted offer these trainings on Sunday & Monday!
SUNDAY JUNE 2, 3 PM - 5:30 - POLITICAL ADVOCACY AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - OPEN TO ALL
Join us at Friends House, 60 Lowther Ave, for a session with Cheryl McNamara of Citizens Climate Lobby on writing letters to the editor, working with the media, and lobbying with your elected representatives. Cheryl is the Media and Advocacy Coordinator for KAIROS Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-workshop-political-advocacy-and-letters-to-the-editor-tickets-62398614937
WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL MEDIA - MONDAY JUNE 3 RD , 6:30 PM 60 LOWTHER AVE.
Learn how to better use social media to support your social change message on line! with a focus on climate activism. Join LeadNow's Tim Ellis and Tyler Watt to learn more! Bring your laptop or other device for hands on learning. Organized by ClimateFast and hosted by the Peace and Social Action Committee of Toronto Friends Meeting. All welcome. Free. Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/social-media-workshop-for-activists-tickets-62201005883
AND ON JUNE 22 WE LAUNCH A KITCHEN TABLE CLIMATE CONVERSATION CAMPAIGN! WITH TRAINING FOR KITCHEN TABLE CLIMATE CONVERSATIONS
SATURDAY JUNE 22 - 10 - 4 60 Lowther Ave. (9:30 registration & refreshments)
This is a training day for a campaign we want to roll out across the province to encourage conversation and action on the climate crisis. Our goal is to see dozens, hundreds, even thousands of conversations spread across the province this summer and fall. Working together we can make this happen! This will be an inter-generational initiative and we would love you to be involved.
Join the training if you would like to be a facilitator or resource person, or organizer, for kitchen table conversations in the GTA or across the province. $20 covers materials, snacks, and vegan lunch. Sliding scale spaces available, please inquire. Donations to assist others in attending also welcome. To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kitchen-table-climate-conversations-training-day-tickets-62760284701 and email: lyn@climatefast.ca .
Would you like to be part of ClimateFast planning meetings? We have a group working on planning for a Toronto Climate Film Festival -a series of films this summer; we have a planning group for the Kitchen Table Climate Conversations, we need volunteers for data entry, and we have core planning meetings… and we are working with an initiative to offer workshops s in Etobicoke and Scarborough; you are welcome to join us! Please email lyn@climatefast.ca with your interest; and also check our calendar on the website - lots of our planning meetings are listed there: www.climatefast.ca
MANY OTHER GREAT CLIMATE EVENTS THIS MONTH IN TORONTO!
Fridays for Future Climate Strikes continue every Friday in June… at different locations and times. Check facebook page for details: fridaysforfutureto and to join a FFF email list: write to fridaysforfuture@climatefast.ca.
Congrats to organizer Allie Rougeot and others featured in the Toronto Star! https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/05/31/fridaysforfuture-climate-change-strikes-take-place-across-canada-every-friday.html?fbclid=IwAR00i-XEzvY6zADa3DXBlSLxzl_enFujaDQM5m1fnWC2jJLwjC4vXlqMWCM
For more on the international climate strike movement check out the Energy Mix which featured the May 24 strike as their top story on Monday , and used our photo of the die-in at Union Station. https://theenergymix.com/2019/05/26/we-are-the-ones-weve-been-waiting-for-youth-from-125-countries-join-may-24-school-strike/
GREEN NEW DEAL TOWN HALLS
The Green New Deal has landed in Toronto! Please come to our town hall at the Toronto Beach United Church - 140 Wineva Ave. Mon. June 10, 7pm. Come with your questions and ideas, and lend your support to a rapidly growing movement that promises a just, prosperous, and safe world for all of us! RSVP http://act.greennewdealcanada.ca/ town -halls/toronto-on/
For info on town halls throughout the GTA and beyond… https://act.greennewdealcanada.ca/town-halls/ . To sign-on to support the Green new Deal: https://greennewdealcanada.ca/
Friday June 7 th 4 pm - hosted by Toronto 350 https://www.facebook.com/events/302003347376158/
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Climate Picnic June 8, 11 - 3 Walter Saunders Memorial Park, east of Dufferin north of Eglinton https://www.facebook.com/events/1293781314107063/
Environmental Defence holds a strategy day for the environment in Waterloo on June 8 th http://www.e-activist.com/page/message?mid=6bcfc6ad9ec7426cadd2bbab58b9…
Awakening the Dreamer Changing the Dream
Saturday June 8 th - with Charlene Day 11:30 - 4 pm
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Monday June 10
th
, 5:45 pm, Faith for Creation
, Yonge and Dundas
https://www.facebook.com/events/2214671198622075/
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June 18, 9:30 am -5:30 pm Growing Where We Are: Sharing Histories and Futures of Urban Agriculture Presented by Culinaria Research Centre & New College New College & University of Toronto Scarborough Campus FREE event Please email Dr. Jo Sharma for info and to register sharma@utsc.utoronto.ca
June 18 th , 7 pm Toronto Climate Film Festival - Plastics screening!
At CSI - 192 Spadina Ave.
June 27 th , 6:30 pm Toronto Climate Film Festival - Taking Root!
Film on Wangari Maathai, Green Belt movement, Noor Cultural Centre, Don Mills
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Drawdown Toronto Summit on Climate Action & Gender Equality
by Drawdown Toronto ,more info: www.unifytoronto.ca Thu, 27 June 2019 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM (registration 6 pm) Quaker House 60 Lowther Avenue https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/drawdown-toronto-summit-on-climate-action-gender-equality-tickets-61311275676
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PLAN E - FILM COMPETITION
New deadline for submissions:
June 28th @ 5pm EST!
for more info:www.plan-e.cc/submit
We are thrilled to announce some incredible new prizes for our participants. Our winning video will be screened at
Planet in Focus
- The 20th International Environmental Film Festival, in Toronto ON from October 15th to 20th, 2019. Our winner will also receive $1000.00 in cash!
Thank you for all you are doing - and all we are doing together. Let’s act on climate - fast!