Unlivable Homes: Migrant justice in a climate crisis
Description: Around the world people are being displaced from their homes due to the sometimes sudden and often creeping effects of climate change. What are “climate refugees” or “climate migrants” and what legal rights do they have? This panel will look at the ways climate change and migration are connected, and how the Canadian state and Canadian extractive industries contribute to people being displaced. We’ll also discuss the Canadian immigration system and the kind of access climate refugees have to it, and what we can do to support migrant justice movements.
Speakers: Mina Ramos, Sharmeen Khan, Natali Euale Montilla
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/493856371567855/
Seeds of Change: Frontline Resistance to Environmental Racism
Description: Across Turtle Island, Black and Indigenous communities, and communities of color have been at the forefront of struggles against climate injustice. Frontline communities are experiencing the deepest effects of environmental degradation related to pollution, toxic waste, contamination and heavy industry. We cannot engage in conversations about climate justice without understanding that climate change is caused by a capitalist system rooted in colonialism that prioritizes profit over the wellbeing of the planet and people.This panel will highlight grassroots organizers who are fighting for the sovereignty and resilience of their communities in the face of climate change.
Speakers: Cheyenne Sundance, Terrylynn Será:sera Brandt, Beze Gray
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2573333226320282/
System Change Not Climate Change: Capitalism vs. the Climate
Description: With its need for unlimited growth out of limited resources, capitalism is naturally in conflict with sustainability and one of the main drivers of climate change. We need to move away from capitalism if we’re to survive, but instead we’re told we can buy our way out of the climate crisis with more technology and greener products. How can we best use the power we do have as workers, producers, voters and consumers, and what are the limits of that power? How can Indigenous, land-based knowledges shift our connection with the things we consume and our relationship with the environment?
Speakers: Horeen Hassan, Juanita Burnett, Catherine Euale Montilla
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/182758632982364/
Solidarity and Mutual Aid for Decolonial Futures
Description: At times of extreme uncertainty and fear about the future of the earth, it seems critical to rebuild relationships that are based on trust, accountability, mutual support, consent, solidarity and love. This panel will offer reflections on the concepts of solidarity & mutual aid as tools to dismantle oppressive, colonial systems and institutions.
Speakers: Lauren Burrows, Shabina Lafleur-Gangji, Matt Soltys
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/133588197914253/
Reclaiming our Power: Voices from the “Expected Casualties” of Climate Disaster
Description: In this time of deep fear about our collective survival, let us deepen our understanding about how the struggle for climate justice is connected and embedded within existing movements for survival and justice. Let us reimagine and strengthen our connections to the land, and all the beings we share this earth with. And, in the face of this existential threat, let us renew our commitments to building more accessible and inclusive movements, taking the lead from those who are the most impacted by climate change.
Speakers: Jody Chan, Tina Brophey, Obehi Okaka, Karen Houle
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/271257097175174/
Bombing & Burning: Militarism, Military Spending and the Climate Emergency
Description: Did you know that the US military is the largest institutional consumer of fossil fuels on the planet and the Canadian Armed Forces is the largest in the federal government? In this talk, Tamara will talk about her doctoral research into the links between militarism, military spending and the climate emergency. Learn about the exemptions for military emissions and how exorbitant military spending is preventing the green transition to a low-carbon economy. Find out why demilitarization is critical to climate justice.
Speaker: Tamara Lorincz
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/213055709849827/
Beyond Resilience. Community-led Direct Action for Regeneration
Description: Drawing on four years of coordinating community led, direct-action projects with Prashant Kumar, Indian upcycling artist in Bihar (India), Lesvos (Greece) and Glasgow (Scotland), Ben Reid-Howells explores alternative frameworks to colonial, NGO-style “aid”, and tangible examples of communities mobilising resources and engaging in processes to build resilience and regeneration. This talk will focus on take-aways from three projects: the creation of the Bihar Centre for Resilient Livelihood; work alongside Greek olive farmers and asylum-seekers in Europe’s largest refugee camps; and community direct-action in Glasgow’s former mining villages of the Northern Corridor.
Speaker: Ben Reid-Howells
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/504738777111367/
Something for Everyone: Diversity of Tactics in the Struggle for Climate Justice
Description: The tactics we use in the struggle for climate justice influence how successful we’ll be, who can participate, and how our lives and communities will be affected. Luckily there are many tactics to choose from! From petitions to railway blockades to marches to occupations, this participatory discussion will focus on the wide range of tactics at our disposal. We’ll talk about things to consider when choosing which to use, success stories and lessons learned, and how a diversity of tactics can contribute to a stronger and more inclusive movement. The climate crisis affects us all, and there is a place for all of us in the climate justice movement.
Speaker: Mandy Hiscocks
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/605215846991061/
I Took Care of the Movement, but the Movement Didn’t Take Care of Me: Dealing with Activist Burnout
Description: This 1.5 hour workshop will be a circle discussion combined with a presentation on building collective care into your movement. Questions to be discussed such as “What is self-care vs collective care?” “What is emotional labour/care work, and who is doing it?” “How do we address activism burnout?”
Speaker: Jax Thornton
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/233301144503563/
Prepping and Planning for More Disruptive Actions
Description: The climate crisis is escalating which means that our responses to it also need to be more disruptive… rallies and marches will only take us so far. But riskier actions like blockades and occupations can be a bit harder to plan and prepare for, and they can be intimidating at first. This workshop will go over the basics of what participants and organizers should do before, during and after an action that could end up involving the police. We’ll talk about what to (not) wear, what to (not) bring and what to (not) say, and do a quick overview of what happens if you’re arrested. We’ll go over the many different roles involved in carrying out an action, and which ones might be right for you. We’ll also discuss what we need to consider when planning an action in order to make it as safe and effective as possible. There’s only so much we can cover in 90 minutes but the goal is to provide some basic knowledge and skills that will make riskier actions seem less scary and overwhelming. This workshop is geared towards people who don’t have any or much experience with organizing more disruptive actions, and people who are nervous/intrigued about the idea of participating in an action that might lead to arrest.
Speaker: Mandy Hiscocks
Facebook event: