Calgary Climate Symposium
Continuing the climate conversation through the upcoming Calgary Climate Symposium
The City of Calgary is hosting our fourth annual Calgary Climate Symposium giving citizens an opportunity to continue the conversation on 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 Oct. 24-28, 2022.
This online symposium covers topics exploring how climate change affects Calgarians, why it’s important to address it for the successful future of our city, and actions we and our neighbours 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," says Carolyn Bowen, Director of Climate & 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 featuring Hetxw’ms Gyetxw, also known as Brett D. Huson, will speak to the convergence of Indigenous knowledge and western climate science; Indigenous perspectives on climate change; how Indigenous peoples are impacted and are adapting and how they are contributing 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 Centre at the University of Winnipeg to connect science and Indigenous Knowledges.
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, which outlines a pathway towards net zero and climate-resilient Calgary. Approved by Council in July 2022, it updates the earlier strategy to align with the Council Climate Emergency declaration to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and adapt to our changing climate at an accelerated pace and scale.
The 2022 Climate Symposium is free, virtual, and open to the public. For full program details and to register, visit calgary.ca/climatesymposium.