This coming Thursday April 23rd is an opportunity for Comox Valley citizens to learn about a couple of critical issues surrounding both global and local sustainability.
First, from 4:30-6pm at the Florence Filberg Center Rotary Room, is a forum on the topic of fossil fuel divestment, and the pros and cons of whether to divest from or engage with the fossil fuel industry in the transition to a clean energy economy. Facebook has details at: https://www.facebook.com/events/433488326819257/
Then from 6:30-9pm at North Island College’s Stan Hagen Theater there is an event hosted by the Sierra Club and the Comox Valley Sustainability Network that will discuss how to support the Comox Valley Sustainability Strategy (2010) and the network of community organizations and business that are coming together to support and promote its implementation. More details are available on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/483816311766846/
An impressive roster of guest speakers is lined up for both events. At the Divestment Forum you will be able to hear from:
KELSEY MECH – National Director of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. Kelsey is committed to building a movement of youth in Canada toward a clean and just energy economy. She focuses on achieving these goals through fossil fuel divestment and re-investment campaigns, education and outreach, and engagement in international climate change negotiations. She has been an active organizer around issues of climate justice both on-campus at the University of Victoria and in the community for the past eight years. Kelsey also serves on the Board of Directors of RAVEN, an organization committed to fundraising to support First Nations legal challenges where their land and rights are being threatened by resource extraction projects.
JAMIE BONHAM– Manager of Extractives Research and Engagement at NEI Investments, which includes the Ethical Funds Company. Jamie conducts direct, collaborative dialogues aimed at mitigating risks for the companies within the NEI portfolio. He is also responsible for the analysis of company performance and industry trends in environmental, social and governance issues in order to support NEI’s work to promote the stakeholder theory of the firm, namely that the social purpose of a corporation is to provide returns to all stakeholders, not just shareholders. He also oversees NEI’s public policy and research work on extractive industries and has authored numerous reports on topics ranging from the need for progressive climate change policies and environmental oversight to the duty to respect human rights.
DERMOT FOLEY – Manager of ESG Analysis (Environmental, Social and Governance) at VanCity Investment Management. Dermot was previously an advisor to the David Suzuki Foundation Climate Change Program, and in his current position as a key member of the VanCity Investment Management team, he is responsible for determining and executing shareholder engagement strategies. He has over 20 years of experience in social and environmental advocacy roles.
At The Future is Here event, guest speakers include:
Mark Tizya of Novo Solar Systems
Cristi Sacht Certified Energy Advisor (CEA), and
Michael Zbarsky, Manager of Transit and Sustainability, Comox Valley Regional District
Please support local and global sustainability strategies by planning to attend one or both of these very informative sessions.
For further info on the Fossil Fuel Divestment forum please contact Tony Edwards at 250-898-9973, or email at tony@ethicinvest.ca
For further info on The Future is Here event, contact Jessie Lightburn at jessielightburn@gmail.com or Larissa Stendie at larissa@sierraclub.bc.ca
