PAST EVENTS
COP25: WHO TELLS THE CLIMATE JUSTICE STORY?
August 5th, 2020 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
Are you interested in learning about inclusion, exclusion, and what it means to be part of the global "climate justice" movement? In this webinar, you will have the opportunity to hear about the first-hand experiences of six UofT delegates, nominated for their involvement with environmental and sustainability issues, who attended the most recent UN climate negotiations. These delegates observed the COP25 Climate Change Conference in Madrid as a part of a pilot project by the University of Toronto Environmental Action (UTEA).
This webinar will focus on how the erasure of Black, Indigenous, and other racialized bodies, particularly from the global South, is pervasive at all levels of climate governance — from local activism to the international stage. Participants will critique mainstream media coverage of the youth climate justice movement, reflect on the colonial institutions of climate governance, and consider the role of protests and civil disobedience in local and global climate action. This will also involve discussions asking participants to reflect on their identity and privilege in the movement, and brainstorm what accessible and inclusive climate justice looks like.
JUST RECOVERY: RECONCILING RACE, CLASS, GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE
August 29th, 2020 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
In responding to COVID-19, governments and civil society have been forced to address the inefficiencies and inequalities pervasive in our system. As such, we cannot go back to our old “normal.” Instead, we must rebuild a more just future that should adequately respond to both present and future crises.
Join UTEA and two amazing panellists for an introduction on what a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic should look like! This online webinar is intended to provide discussion and direction in terms of how we as activists can advocate for a just recovery. We will first be presenting an overview of the main issues being highlighted during the pandemic – such as the disproportionate burdens shouldered by black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities – and then transition to discussion on a just recovery.
The event will be hosted online via Zoom at:
https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/92250984996
Register on our Eventbrite here:
HOW TO: BE AN ALLY AS A CLIMATE ACTIVIST
September 30th, 2020 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST VIA ZOOM
Introducing UTEA’s monthly ‘How To’ series, these events aim to challenge the current format of traditional zoom webinars. The short and engaging format of these upcoming workshops emphasizes audience participation, and creates a space for both discussion and reflection of our individual roles within the environmental movement.
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This month, we invite U of T alumni Ruvimbo Mutangadura to join us as we delve into the nature of allyship and the BIPOC experience within the climate justice movement. Focusing within the sphere of allyship the workshop is an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss our roles in expanding the reach and accessibility of the climate movement, and issues of climate justice and anti-racism within environmentalism. Join us next Wednesday for an organic and inward-looking conversation about how we can grow, both as allies and activists
A CRITICAL REFLECTION ON CLIMATE STRIKES
October 15th, 2020 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM EST VIA ZOOM
Join UTEA for an evening of informal discourse on the topic of climate strikes, as part of our Discussion Club series. We will be delving into the overall effectiveness of strikes, how an ideal strike looks like, whether strikes materialize in influencing policy-makers, the ways in which the meaning of participation can get lost in the "hype" or "bandwagon," and how to mobilize a movement in the context of higher education.
We are also super excited to be joined by guest Allie Rougeot. Allie is an undergraduate student at UofT and one of the coordinators for Fridays for Future. Allie's experiences will help us fully understand the situation on-the-ground, and inform our efforts to develop new ideas throughout the discussion.
Our Internal Advocacy co-directors will be facilitating and providing some resources beforehand, but no prior reading is absolutely required. Just bring your thoughts, some snacks, and get ready to discuss! Feel free to join in the wonderful conversation or simply follow along.
HOW TO: NAVIGATE YOUR RIGHTS AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST
October 29th, 2020 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM EST VIA ZOOM
For the next instalment of the ‘How To’ advocacy workshop, UTEA presents ‘How to Navigate your Rights as an Environmental Activist’. We will explore how one can utilize their rights to engage in activism at a greater capacity on an institutional scale. This webinar will focus on a discussion of legal rights under Canadian and Ontario law, as well as the legal procedure behind police involvement during direct action.
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In conversation with German climate activist Nelson Butterfield, who will be sharing his personal experience dealing with police involvement during direct action, we shall explore how to best navigate your rights as an individual. Join us on October 29th to learn the basics of your environmental rights, how others have effectively used theirs, and how to go about utilizing them as an advocate.
MIGRANT JUSTICE AMIDST GLOBAL CRISES
November 18th, 2020 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST VIA ZOOM
Join UTEA and the VUSAC Sustainability Commission in welcoming three incredible panelists for a discussion on migrant justice amidst global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis. Although many of us are living more locally than ever before, migrant rights remain a pressing issue. This webinar will serve as a space for us to discuss how we as activists can fight for migrant justice locally and globally in this day and age, and how we might begin to shift the discourse on such issues.
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Zoom Meeting Information:
Meeting ID: 883 9508 5960
Password: 102923
DIVESTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
November 27th, 2020 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST VIA ZOOM
Join UTEA for our November Discussion Club on November 27th 6-8PM.
We will be discussing divestment - what it is, why it's necessary, and pathways forward. We will also be hearing from UofT Leap members on the topic.
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No preparation necessary - just grab a snack and bring yourself!
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Zoom Information:
Password: DIVEST
HOW TO: BE AN ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE CONSUMER
December 3rd, 2020 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST VIA ZOOM
For this month’s ‘How to” series, UTEA brings you a collaboration with the Hart House Farms Committee, where we will delve deeper into our relationship to food as consumers.
Together we will explore how we can leverage our position as student leaders to address food insecurity on campus with insight from critical studies of equity and solidarity student and Vice President of ESSU, Kyra Bingham and Computer Science and Indigenous Studies student and the founder of the UofT Emergency Foodbank, Adam El-Masri.
In our conversation, we will consider the various perspectives on issues of food security and ethical consumerism, and discuss the place that individual and collective action has in our daily lives and within our local communities.
THE GREEN ECONOMY SHIFT: A JUST RECOVERY PERSPECTIVE
January 18th, 2020 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST VIA ZOOM
Join UTEA and Regenesis UTSC for an evening of visionary conversation with expert panelists, where we will be discussing clean energy and the green economy, and how all this fits into Canada's vision of a just recovery. On the panel are:
1. Dr. Jennifer McKelvie, Toronto City Councillor and Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee;
2. Marin Davidson, Fmr. Sustainable Procurement Project Manager for Green Economy Canada and Council President of UTM's Masters of Science in Sustainability Management (MScSM);
3. Dr. Phil de Luna, Program Director at the National Research Council of Canada and Member of the OECD Advanced Materials Steering Committee;
4. Oliver Dumville, Policy Advisor for the Clean Growth Hub at Natural Resources Canada and Fmr. Policy Advisor at Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Make sure you indicate "Interested" or "Going" on the UTEA Facebook Event page, so you won't miss the Zoom credentials as they get published. Stay tuned!
YOUR DEVICES' ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND HOW TO HELP
January 28th, 2021 | 6:30 PM EST VIA ZOOM
Have you ever wondered about the environmental impact of your devices? Join UTEA on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 6:30 PM EST for a discussion about the effect electronics have on the environment and how you can make conscious choices through personal and collective action.
We will be joined by Dr. Miriam Diamond, a professor at UofT who is an expert in environmental science and the impact of our devices.
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HOW TO: NAVIGATE THE VIRTUAL LANDSCAPE FOR ACTIVISM
January 29th, 2021 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST VIA ZOOM
This month’s “How to” series tackles activism and the virtual landscape. Together we will explore climate justice in the online world, delving into how social media and internet are utilized for activism, advocacy and action. More so than ever youth leaders from all over the world have turned to the internet to mobilize for social justice and climate action due to COVID restrictions.
In conversation with two youth activists, Kendall Mar and Megan X from the Fridays for Future Toronto chapter we will discuss how environmental organizations continue to be powerful champions for justice online.
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The Zoom Meeting link will be uploaded on the day of the event, so be sure to check back on Friday!
WAYS OF KNOWING, UNDERSTANDING AND CONTEXTUALIZING GLOBAL CRISES
February 25th, 2021 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST VIA ZOOM
Join UTEA's Internal Advocacy directors Andi and Sophia for our February discussion club on how different ways of knowing and treating relationships with each other and the land affect how we approach the climate crisis. Emphasis will be placed on Indigenous ways of knowing and how Indigenous perspectives and joint stewardship is crucial to climate solutions.
Bring yourself, a friend, some snacks, and be sure to check out the resource document in the discussion tab posted a week before the event!
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Please contact utea.utoronto@gmail.com for any accessibility concerns prior to the event - we will do our best to accommodate all attendees' needs accordingly!
WATERING THE GRASSROOTS: APPLIED ACTIVISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
February 26th, 2021 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM EST
“Watering the Grassroots” is a free 3-day (approx 3 hours each day) virtual conference that aims to bring together environmental clubs and grassroots organizations to work on developing important skills and knowledge bases to improve their organization’s function and impact. Envisioned by University of Toronto Environmental Action (UTEA) and Queen’s Backing Action on Climate Change (QBACC), WTG attempts a nation-wide approach to delving into pressing, intersectional, and important issues related to the environment and climate change by bringing together workshop leaders and panelists spanning from Newfoundland to British Columbia.
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For more information, please read the Event Program available here.
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