This is what happened in 2019…
December 2019
URGENT: INTERNATIONAL STRIKE THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13TH, IN RESPONSE TO COP25 EVENTS
On Wednesday, December 11th, over 300 climate activists, including many young climate strikers from around the world, were kicked out of COP25 in Madrid after protesting for women’s and indigenous people’s rights and calling for ambitious actions from rich countries. The voices of millions of people are silenced at the climate change conference in Madrid. While civil society was kicked out from the COP25, fossil fuel lobbyists remained inside. This cannot be tolerated!
We cannot accept this injustice and violation of human rights. We have to stand up for our rights and our future! The climate strikers present in Madrid are calling out for an international strike and action day TOMORROW, Friday, December 13th. We need to call attention to the inaction at COP25 and the exclusion of civil society from COP25.
Please mobilize your local groups this Friday, and forward to all strikers around the world!
The outcomes of COP25 are insufficient, and a painful image of how little politicians care about the planet. We stand in solidarity with indigenous people, people from the Global South, and people that are already suffering from the climate crisis.
We will no longer accept empty words. We need leaders that listen to the people.
The world is facing a climate emergency, with real impacts on the lives and futures of all people here in Waterloo Region. That’s why we continue to RISE UP to demand bold climate action and justice alongside millions of people around the world!
November 2019
Friday Nov 29th, 2019, 11:00am-1:30pm — STRIKE DAY! Global Climate Strike. Waterloo Town Square.
The climate crisis is still accelerating, so young climate strikers are calling on everyone to step up for action once more this November 29th. Parents, workers and all concerned humans around the world … come join in solidarity during these wintry months for another beautiful climate strike! This is a family and kid-friendly event, following on the power of this community’s previous climate strike last September, and this time will include a speakers panel on Canada’s climate responsibilities indoors following a short rally.
We’re not stopping until Climate Crisis solution is in hand. Let’s keep up the pressure.
- 10:00am – The UWaterloo community is gathering in SLC Great Hall, then taking the Ion to arrive at Waterloo Town Square for 11am. The WLU community is also organizing (contact Kai for more information).
- 11:00am – Round dance organized by Idle No More at Waterloo Town Square in recognition that Indigenous sovereignty is climate action. Everyone is welcome to participate.
- 12:00am – Very brief rally at Waterloo Town Square, then a procession to First United Church (map,streetview)
- 12:30pm – Community Panel: Canada’s International Climate Responsibilities: Our Role in Madrid (see poster), hosted by numerous UWaterloo and WLU departments, at First United Church (with Q&A to follow for those with time). Please RSVP and joint the IC3 mailing list. Powerful, diverse voices will inspire us to ensure Canada takes a positive leadership role at the upcoming UN climate change conference.
- 1:30pm – End
Thursday, Nov 21st, 7-9pm — Solar Heating Information Session. Kitchener City Hall, 200 King Street West, Kitchener (map, streetview). Are you interested in a cheap and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint? Would you like to fight climate change and save money on your monthly utility bill? Solar heating is one of the most cost-effective and accessible solutions to addressing the climate crisis and it provides a great introduction to other forms of solar and renewable energy.
Join us this Thursday, Nov 21st for an information session at Kitchener City Hall (Conestoga Room) where you can learn how to build a solar heater in an afternoon for less than $300 in materials that can save 5% off your gas bill. Details here.
Tuesday, Nov 19th, 7pm — Cambridge’s Climate Emergency Declaration Vote – Fill Council Chambers! Cambridge City Hall, 46 Dickson Street (map, streetview). More information here. You can also register a delegation to speak at council: here
Monday Nov. 18th, 3pm (New time) — Waterloo’s Climate Emergency Declaration vote – Fill the Council Chambers! Waterloo’s motion is more ambitious than others that we’ve seen regionally so far, and with their leadership it would be so much more likely that the rest of the Region will follow! Waterloo City Hall, 100 Regina St S. (map, streetview). More information here. You can also register a delegation to speak at council: clerkinfo@waterloo.ca; 519-747-8549 Presentations must be submitted by 10am Monday. See CTV coverage of the introduction of the motion: City of Waterloo introduces motion to declare climate emergency. City of Waterloo Council Agenda.
“Declaring a climate emergency … is like putting on the brakes when you see a car crash ahead. At some point you are going to stop. The question is ‘Do you control the process?’ Do you put the brakes on or do you just plow into the car crash?”
Tenillie Bonogoure, Waterloo City Councillor
Sunday Nov 17th 3-8pm ART BUILD #2! — Art build #1 successfully created all the amazing tall banners and many great signs for our first large-scale strike, which also contributed to the beautiful photos we took at the Mural Opening Ceremony! Nowthe Climate Strike WR team is hosting ANOTHER awesome art build to make more incredible signage, in advance of the next Global Climate Strike Nov 29th. You are invited along with your friends to come out this next Sunday Nov 17th anytime between 3-8pm to make some powerful climate art! (You don’t need to be a master artist – just join us for some fun!) This event will be hosted in the Civic Hub/Social Development Centre, 23 Water St North, Kitchener (map, streetview).
Friday Nov 1st, 2019, 11:00am–1:00pm — Opening ceremony to celebrate the “Climate is Life” mural on Laurier’s Waterloo campus and honor our shared earth and climate which sustains all life. Event details here.
Climate is Life mural opening a big success!: Take a moment to look at this beautiful album from last Friday’s event, which was an incredible opening ceremony for the Climate is Life mural on Laurier campus. What beautiful moments we create when we come together!! A special thank you to everyone who participated, and particularly to Clarence Cachagee the Cree Community Educator who led us through the opening ceremony so beautifully. Please share this album to inspire others!
October 2019
Tuesday Oct 15th, 7 PM – 9 PM— Cambridge Climate Emergency Declaration Vote. Lets fill the council chambers! (see facebook page for Details), Cambridge City Hall, 46 Dickson Street, Cambridge, ON (streetview, map).
- Join us at Cambridge City Council’s next meeting where Councillors will be voting on a Climate Emergency declaration for the City of Cambridge!
- The Climate Emergency motion will likely be early on the agenda, so please be sure to arrive on time (as close to 7:00 pm as possible).
- We want to fill the chambers in support of this motion, so invite everyone you know!!
Wednesday Oct 9th, 7 PM – 9 PM— Waterloo Region Climate Emergency Declaration Vote. Lets fill the council chambers! (see facebook page for Details), 150 Frederick Street, 2nd Floor, Kitchener, Ontario (streetview, map).
- Join us at Waterloo Region Council’s next meeting where Councillors will be voting on a Climate Emergency declaration for the Region!
- The Climate Emergency motion will likely be early on the agenda, so please be sure to arrive on time (as close to 7:00 pm as possible).
- We want to fill the chambers in support of this motion, so invite everyone you know!!
Please Note: There are many venues for 100 Debates on the Environment all across Canada. If you or your friends want to attend these events outside of Waterloo Region check out their main site. Following are the five Waterloo Region events (poster) and their facebook event pages (to get free tickets):
Wednesday, October 02, 7pm – 9pm- Kitchener Centre, WalterFedy Building, Suite #111, 675 Queen St S., Kitchener.
- Kitchener South-Hespeler, Waterloo Regional Museum, 10 Huron Rd, Kitchener.
- Cambridge, School of Architecture UofW, 7 Melville St. S., Cambridge.
Wednesday, October 09, 7pm – 9pm
- Waterloo, Theatre of the Arts, UofW Ring Road, Waterloo.
- Kitchener Conestoga, New Dundee Community Centre, 1028 Queen St., New Dundee.
Friday October 4th, 2019 12Noon-1pm — Climate Strike, Demand UW ACT NOW – Week 4. Arts Quad/DP Library (map). Read more here.
Wednesday October 2nd at 5pm PT/8pm ET — What’s next after the strikes? We just made history at the global climate strikes with 800,000+ people on the streets in Canada and over 8 million worldwide. Now, let’s keep that momentum going to make sure the climate crisis is front and center in this federal election.
Join 350.org ‘s webinar to find your place in the movement to win a made-in-Canada Green New Deal. A Green New Deal is the only plan that can tackle the climate emergency at the scale and urgency required. A Green New Deal means science-based climate policy, millions of jobs in a renewable energy economy, Indigenous rights, and justice for all. Sign up to join us.
Check out our website to learn more about the work that we are doing: https://our-time.ca.
September 2019
Saturday Sept 28th, 12:30-2:30pm — Cooking For The Climate, Protein-Packed Plant-Based Cooking 101 (poster), Rockway Community Centre, 1405 King St. E., Kitchener (streetview, map). Register via Eventbrite $20.
Always wondered how to cook tempeh and tofu?
Learn how to prepare high-protein vegan dishes in this fun, hands-on workshop. Learn several recipes and enjoy them for lunch. All abilities and diets welcome.
Friday Sept 27, 9:00-10:30am — Sign Making for Critical Mass Bike Ride, at Recycle Cycles (37 Market Ln, Kitchener) behind The Green Door, (streetview, map). We will be making signs relating to our current climate crisis. There will be supplies provided, but definitely bring more if you have any! Things like wood, paint, poster board, fabric, markers, stencils, glitter. (see Poster).
Friday Sept 27, 10:45-11:30am — Critical Mass Bike Ride, Starting at Recycle Cycles, 37 Market Ln, Kitchener (streetview, map). After making all of our pretty signs we will head out on a critical mass bike ride through king street, ending at the strike in Waterloo Town Square. If you have noise makers, bring ‘em! (see Poster).
Friday Sept 27, 9:30-11:00am — Climate Strike Prayer Service, Mary Allen Park, Willow St & Allen St E, Waterloo (streetview, map).
In the month of September, Christians around the world come together to celebrate the “Season of Creation.” Join students and community members for sign-making and an ecumenical prayer service with Taizé song as we prepare to take part in the Global Climate Strike. Organized by Taize.
- 9:30-10:30am – Sign-Making,
- 10:30-11:00am – Climate Strike Prayer Service.
Friday Sept 27, 11:30-2:00pm — CLIMATE STRIKE!!! Waterloo Town Square (streetview, map). Family friendly!
- UW and Laurier crowds gather on their campuses [~10:00am],
- Processions leave from UW and Laurier and meet up along the way [~10:45],
- Processions arrive from UW, Laurier, and local schools [~11:15],
- 11:30 Indigenous Welcome. The Blue Sky Singers and Cedar Hill Singers will provide an opening and then Sydney Hannusch and Andrew Judge will speak,
- 12:00-1:30 the following happens:
- Church bells ring (Bells For Future),
- Flash Mob: Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, organized by Julie Baumgartel and conducted by Mark Vuorinen,
- Short speeches,
- Voting for A Safe Climate action, adults pledge to give their votes to kids at mock voting booths,
- Chanting,
- Closing with Outside Voices choir leading crowd in song: “The Tide is Rising (lyrics)”, “Blowing in the Wind (lyrics)” and “Sing for the Climate Belgium (lyrics)”,
Climate strike Waterloo Region and Fridays for Future Waterloo Region strikes have been organized by youth from local middle and high schools; students and professors from the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University; and members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Communities for Conservation, The Council of Canadians, Divest Waterloo, Extinction Rebellion, Kitchener-Waterloo Climate Save, and Rise for Climate Waterloo Region.
We will have photographers and videographers at the strike. We will be using photos and videos for promoting future strikes, and they will be posted on social media. Also, The Museum in downtown Kitchener will be mounting an exhibit in January about the climate crisis, and they will feature photographs from our strike in the exhibit, and across the front of the building. The groups organizing the climate strike in Waterloo Region are all nonprofits, as is The Museum. None of the organizers will be profiting in any way from the photos or videos; they will be used for artistic and publicity purposes, and to continue to raise awareness about the climate crisis. **Teachers may want to think about getting parental permission for photos and videos.
Friday Sept 27th, 7:00-9:00pm — Surprised By Enough, Honouring Nature by Living Within Our Limits, Fresh Ground Cafe, 256 King Street East, Kitchener.
In light of the environmental crisis many people are asking: what does it mean to live equitably amongst all people, other species, and future generations? Join Jim Merkel, author, filmmaker, volunteer, and engineer, who moved from involvement in the military industry to pioneering in simplicity. Tickets are $25 for the evening including food and drink. (see: poster, streetview, map)
Thursday, Sept 26th, 3:00 PM–9:00 PM — What Does Climate Change Ask of You? The Leadership Role of Faith Communities in Response to Climate Change (workshop, dinner, panel). St Mary’s Church 56 Duke Street West, Kitchener ON, N2H 3W7 (streetview, map)
As the impacts of climate change become more evident and more worrisome, faith communities are uniquely situated to show leadership and galvanize the strength of their members — and beyond. You are welcome to attend any portion of the event. No entrance fees are required, but freewill offerings will be gratefully accepted.
- 2:30 Doors open for registration and refreshments
- 3-5:30 pm: Workshops by Sheila Murray, Resilience Project Manager, and Stephen Collette, Building Audit Manager for Faith & the Common Good
- 6 pm: Dinner
- 7 pm: Panel discussion: What could climate justice look like with the leadership of Waterloo Region’s faith communities?
Tuesday Sept 24, 6:30pm — Forks Over Knives screening (Eventbrite). Fresh Ground Cafe, The Working Centre, 256 King St. E. Cafe opens at 6:30 and the screening is at 7:15.
Tuesday Sept 24, 6:30pm — Banner Making for Critical Mass Bike Ride, 154 Weber St. E. (Zachary’s House). We will be making larger banners to have during our critical mass bike ride. Put on by the Zachary Fowler of the non-profit community bike shop; Recycle Cycles. See post.
Tuesday Sept 24th, 7-9pm — Woolwich Climate Emergency Declaration vote, This is one step towards a Regional vote October 9th – let’s fill the council chambers in support! (see facebook page for Details), 24 Church St W, Elmira, Ontario (streetview, map).
- Join us at Woolwich Township Council’s next meeting where Councillors will be voting on a Climate Emergency declaration for the Township of Woolwich! The declaration also includes a carbon budget, which will keep the township accountable and on track to meet its emission goals.
- The Climate Emergency motion will likely be early on the agenda, so please be sure to arrive on time (as close to 7:00 pm as possible).
- We want to fill the chambers in support of this motion, so invite everyone you know!!
Tuesday, Sept 24th, 7:00 – 9pm — Wellesley’s Climate Emergency Declaration Vote. Lets fill the council chambers! (see facebook page for Details), 4805 William Hastings Line, Millbank, Ontario (streetview, map).
- Join us at Wellesley Township Council’s next meeting where Councillors will be voting on a Climate Emergency declaration for the Township of Wellesley! The declaration also includes a carbon budget, which will keep the township accountable and on track to meet its emission goals.
- The Climate Emergency motion will likely be early on the agenda, so please be sure to arrive on time (as close to 7:00 pm as possible).
- We want to fill the chambers in support of this motion, so invite everyone you know!! Join us at Wellesley Township Council’s next meeting where Councillors will be voting on a Climate Emergency declaration for the Township of Wellesley! The declaration also includes a carbon budget, which will keep the township accountable and on track to meet its emission goals.
- The Climate Emergency motion will likely be early on the agenda, so please be sure to arrive on time (as close to 7:00 pm as possible).
- We want to fill the chambers in support of this motion, so invite everyone you know!!
Tuesday Sept 24th — Working Centre, Weaving Ecology Reading Group. Let us know by Tuesday, September 24th your interest in our next reading group — reading Carolyn Baker’s Love in the Age of Ecological Apocalypse: Cultivating the Relationships We Need to Thrive. The first reading groups will begin in October, based on the availability of interested individuals. (see: poster)
Monday Sept 23, 6:30-9pm, A screening of the climate action documentary Beyond Crisis, Princess Twin Cinema 46 King St N, Waterloo (map). Register on EventBrite or through Facebook (Pay-by-Donation / PWYC).
- 6:30pm – Mingling for climate action,
- 7:00pm – Beyond Crisis,
- 8:00pm – Panel discussion.
BEYOND CRISIS is a story of hope for a rapidly changing world: a meditative call to action that explores what it means to be living in this new era of climate change, as told by over fifty diverse voices from across Canada, the U.S. and beyond.
Monday, Sept 23rd, 7:00 – 9pm — Wilmot’s Climate Emergency Declaration Vote. Lets fill the council chambers! (see facebook page for Details), 60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden, Ontario (streetview, map).
- Join us at Wilmot Township Council’s next meeting where Councillors will be voting on a Climate Emergency declaration for the Township of Wilmot! The declaration also includes a carbon budget, which will keep the township accountable and on track to meet its emission goals.
- The Climate Emergency motion will likely be early on the agenda, so please be sure to arrive on time (as close to 7:00 pm as possible).
- We want to fill the chambers in support of this motion, so invite everyone you know!!
Sept 21st, 12Noon-2:00pm — Our Time KW Organizing Meeting, Social Development Centre Waterloo Region (St John’s church), 23 Water Street North, Kitchener (streetview, map).
The climate crisis is here, and as youth, we will be affected more than any generation before us. As the largest voting bloc for the first time in Canadian history, we also have a huge opportunity. For decades, fossil fuel billionaires and their political allies have put people and the planet in jeopardy. Last fall, scientists confirmed we only have until 2030 to cut our emissions in half to avoid catastrophic climate change. Their time is over. The 2019 election is Our Time. Please register and get more details here.
Sept 20-27th, Wilfrid Laurier — “Climate is Life” mural creation , Wilfrid Laurier Waterloo campus. Painting will start Friday, Sept 20th at 9am on the path leading up to the Quad / Veritas Cafe (see: poster).
- Permanent participatory mural creation for climate action on exterior wall of Laurier campus, to engage Laurier students / community in solidarity with the Global Climate Week, and as a powerful symbol to help build a more engaged “culture of sustainability” at Laurier university.
- Primarily intended for Laurier students, staff, faculty, though anyone welcome to attend.
Wednesday Sept. 18th, 2-3pm — Climate Strike: Teach-In, UofWaterloo, J.R. Coutts Engineering Lecture Hall @RCH 307, Learn about the school strike for climate and how to get involved. Featuring Amy Smoke & Martin Lukacs. Food provided! Intended for students but open to all (See poster)
Wednesday Sept 18th, 7:00-8:30 pm — “The Trudeau Formula: Seduction and Betrayal in an Age of Discontent” talk with author Martin Lukacs, Balsillie School of International Affairs • Room 1-42 67 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON. RSVP here. Free public event.
Just in time for the fall federal election, Martin Lukacs is launching his new book, which unpacks the failings of the Trudeau government and illuminates the kind of politics we need instead: one where Canada’s progressive majority works together to confront inequality, racism, and the climate crisis.
Sunday Sept 15, 3:00-8:00pm — Art Build, The Civic Hub, St. John The Evangelist Anglican Church, 23 Water St. North Kitchener (streetview, map)