Focus of UVic Conference is 'Beyond Climate-Neutral' Plan

Common Energy, an independent non-profit society at the University of Victoria, is holding its fourth conference, Going Beyond Climate-Neutral, on October 12 to 14. The conference is the result of a planning process that would see the university contribute more to solving climate change than it does to contribute to the problem. The plan goes beyond greening UVic’s operations to integrate its research, education, and operations into a comprehensive strategy to support and guide change in the region.

Just weeks after Al Gore comes to town to talk, the Going Beyond Climate-Neutral Conference will focus on turning great ideas into local action. A network of students, staff, faculty, and regional partners is organizing the conference.

The conference will open a space for a diverse community working on solutions in Victoria. Common Energy has been working with this network for months to create a plan to move UVic beyond climate-neutral. The conference will begin with a conversation about the challenges and opportunities that climate change presents for the region. Participants will be asked to contribute their ideas to develop this plan so that it is comprehensive, resilient, and builds common ground for action. It will be implemented by a network of people committed to change.

The University of Victoria and the Ministry of Advanced Education have both supported the conference generously. “Our network has been collaborating with the administration, university community, and regional organizations over the past eight months to design a plan that is unique to UVic and will be, we hope, a model for how other institutions can green themselves and serve their regions,” says Brandy Sistili, UVic graduate student and Common Energy member.

“This project has been about mobilizing the university to support and catalyze regional climate action. We have asked what we can do to have the institution do more to solve the problem than cause it, providing people with the opportunity to think differently, act positively, and contribute their ideas that we are going to turn into action,” says Rita Fromholt, a UVic staff member and member of Common Energy.

Mark Chandler, recent UVic graduate and Common Energy member describes the agenda: “The conference begins at Victoria’s First Metropolitan United Church with a local foods dinner, prepared by members of the Island’s Chef Collaborative, on the Friday night to learn about the challenges facing the region and to share stories. On Saturday there will be a series of presentations in various focus areas, such as business, transportation, and food, followed by conversations where participants will develop the plan. On Sunday we are going to take the ideas that emerged from Saturday’s sessions and work with participants to make them a reality.” Both weekend events will take place at the Michele Pujol Room in the UVic’s Student Union Building.

Visit www.uvic.commonenergy.org for more information and conference registration, or email register@uvic.commonenergy.org

-- 30 --