Join SMARTNet Alliance for their January Virtual Green Drinks, the first of 2021, where they will feature three incredible women who are Climate Leaders in their community. Each of them are working hard to effect change across the country.
As we slowly come out of the global pandemic that has gripped us for the last year, we now must turn our attention towards the looming climate crisis. We increasingly see action on the local level, from strong individuals who are standing up to be counted. Our three speakers are working on the ground level, affecting change on the climate file. We will hear about the organizations they are working for, what they are doing, and how you can get involved to make a difference. First off, we have Joanna Kyriazis from Clean Energy Canada. Joanna works to develop and advance policy solutions that address climate change while promoting clean growth, with a specific focus on clean transportation. She will be speaking about Canada’s car conundrum. How we are driving the most polluting cars in the world, increasing domestic carbon pollution from transportation by nearly 30%. Joanna will discuss Clean Energy Canada’s recent work on the solution to Canada’s car conundrum—zero-emission vehicles—and how, with a deliberate approach for drivers and industry, Canadians can both cut pollution and set our auto sector up to compete in the global economy.
Next up we will have Emilie Grenier who is the Climate Change Campaign Organizer at Ecology Ottawa. Ecology Ottawa has launched a campaign to educate residents of Ottawa about the local actions they can take to fight climate change. Emilie will detail this campaign and how you can get involved.
Finally we will hear from Lauren Latour, who is working as a Climate Ambition Coordinator over at Climate Action Network. They are a coalition of more than 100 organizations across the country working together to advance practical policies and front-line solutions to manage carbon pollution and address front-line impacts of climate change. The network plays a critical role in helping Canadian organizations understand and respond to climate change impacts and policies. CAN-Rac Canada is unique in the climate movement because it is the only organization with a mandate to promote the climate movement as a whole, rather than the interests and programs of any one organization.
Speaker Bios:
Joanna Kyriazis, Clean Air Canada
Joanna works to develop and advance policy solutions that address climate change while promoting clean growth, with a specific focus on clean transportation. Based in Ottawa, she regularly connects with thought leaders, industry stakeholders, and policymakers at the federal level. Before joining Clean Energy Canada, Joanna worked as a management consultant helping businesses identify and manage climate change risks and opportunities. She also practiced as a lawyer advising governments and industry on climate change and energy law. Joanna has a BSc in natural resources from Cornell University and a JD from the University of Toronto.
Emilie Grenier, Ecology Ottawa
Passionate about everything relating to the outdoors, and the environment Emilie has discovered the amazing benefits of spending time in natural environments. She is completing her Master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University where she is studying how to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Lauren Latour, Climate Action Network
Lauren joined CAN-Rac in 2019 as Climate Ambition Coordinator, after having spent several years in grassroots climate justice organizing circles in communities across Canada. She graduated from Mount Allison University with a degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science at Mount Allison University. Lauren first became involved in climate justice organizing through campus fossil fuel divestment campaigning, organizing Powershift youth convergences, and as delegate to COP 21 and 22 with the Canadian Youth Delegation. Passionate about ensuring we transition to a carbon neutral future in a way that works for all, Lauren is incredibly excited to be working with the Network to bring a Green New Deal to Canada.
