Join emerging climate action leaders to explore a solutions oriented and creative communications approach to climate action.

The PICS supported series is offered over four sessions in May, once a week. You will hear stories from the frontlines of GHG emissions reduction in transportation, energy conservation, green streets and waste reduction. Learn what engagement strategies work, how the project narrative is shaped and reflect on lessons for your own community-based climate action. Handout materials will be provided for each session.

Why focus on energy conservation, active transportation, waste reduction and green streets in this series? These sectors are identified as sites for the “big moves” needed in urban centres to significantly reduce GHG emissions. Many cities have identified these domains in their climate emergency agenda: i.e. energy efficiency and renewable energy in buildings, active transportation, waste reduction and protecting and enhancing green streets.

Why focus on climate narratives and cases? Research has shown that providing a vision of a low-carbon future is inspiring and empowering. Fear of the impacts of climate change is paralyzing without creating opportunities for efficacy and agency. We want to show participants viable solutions that embody the desired future, e.g., zero carbon, zero waste, active transportation and green streets initiatives that are happening now — and make these models visible and accessible so that we can learn from them about creative communications, climate narratives, and collaborative leadership.

What is the role of research? This series will integrate communications theory, environmental science and draw on specific research insights from urban planning, resource management, ecological restoration, and energy policy. Community initiatives such as the ones that will be highlighted in this series will be used as “springboards” for deeper conversations. The cases presented represent innovative practices that are effectively responding to GHG emissions in particular sectors. The cases provide experience-based learning for the participants to explore, analyze and see the application to climate solutions that they are developing in the community.

Events take place May 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, 10 am to 11:15 am, on-line via Zoom

May 7 – Session 1 Energy conservation/transition with Practitioner/issue expert: Rose Murphy Post-Doctoral Fellow, Faculty of Environment, SFU

May 14 – Session 2 Active transportation with Practitioner/issue expert: Meghan Winters, Faculty of Health Sciences, SFU

May 21 – Session 3 Waste Reduction with Practitioner/issue expert: Sophia Yang, Threading Change

May 28 – Session 4 Green Infrastructure in Urban Centres with Practitioner/issue expert: Stephen Shepard and Cheryl Ng, Cool ‘Hood Champs, UBC Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning (CALP)

If you would prefer not to register through Eventbrite please contact Joanna at joanna_ashworth@sfu.ca