As the climate strikes that have recently taken place around the world have shown, climate change has taken center stage globally as one of the most pressing issues of the day. Between Sunday, Sept. 29 and Thursday, Oct. 3, Queen’s will be addressing this topic through Sustainability Week, five days of events that aim to create a culture of sustainability on campus.

Capping off Sustainability Week this year will be the Queen's UC3 Forum on Thursday, Oct. 3. This daylong forum, with the theme Innovating and Partnering for Climate Action Impact, aims to foster a dialogue and develop a shared understanding of the current state of climate action in our community while creating connections and opportunities to further climate action goals. The forum will feature experts on climate change research and solutions and leaders from the Kingston area.

Extending its commitment to protecting the environment, Queen’s joined the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) in February 2019. The UC3 is a group of leading North American research institutions united in a collaborative effort to accelerate local action against climate change. The Queen’s UC3 Forum is part of the university’s participation in the group.

The program for the day features a lineup of expert speakers and panelists, including Mike Gerbis, CEO of GLOBE Series and The Delphi Group, Dr. John Robinson, Professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and Dr. John Smol, Professor and Canada Research Chair of Environmental Change at Queen’s. Leaders from the community, such as Mayor Bryan Paterson, MPP Ian Arthur, and Councilor Bridget Doherty, will also be in attendance.

All members of the campus and Kingston communities are invited to attend, but they are encouraged to register in advance.

The Queen’s UC3 Forum was developed with input from the Queen’s Sustainability Working Group.

“Higher Education institutions have the opportunity to contribute in unique and important ways to combating climate change,” said Donna Janiec, Vice-Principal (Finance and Administration) at Queen’s University, “The Queen’s UC3 Forum will allow Queen’s students, staff, and faculty as well as the greater Kingston community to voice their vision for a more sustainable future and the role that Queen’s can play in making that future a reality.”

Queen’s participation in the UC3 is a part of the university’s broader efforts to become increasingly sustainable and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Hospitality Services is offering more and more green dining options each year. The West Campus District Energy Conversion Project will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions when it is completed. The Sustainability @ Queen’s learning module educates members of the campus community about how they can help create a culture of sustainability. And ongoing initiatives, such as the Transpass Program and Dropbike, have encouraged members of the Queen’s community to use sustainable methods of transportation.

Interested parties can register for all or part of the daylong forum which will be held in the Event Commons of Mitchell Hall on Queen’s campus. Tickets are free but registration is requested. Details of the event can be found here. Questions or special requests can be directed to Meghan Hatch at vpfa@queensu.ca.