Annual Sustainability Fair this Friday features the new Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

sustainability posterThe annual York University Sustainability Fair takes place this Friday, March 18 from 10am to 4pm. The first portion of the day, from 10am to 2pm in the Vari Hall rotunda, features tabling from sustainability clubs and organizations along with the Seeds of Hope poster exhibit.

The visiting Seeds of Hope poster exhibit is based on a simple premise – “it starts with one” – and conveys the importance of individual action for community sustainability. Through a series of 24 panels, it focuses on the themes of interconnectedness, social justice and peace to show how one idea can inspire and transform an entire community towards sustainable living.

The exhibit also features global examples of how individuals and small groups have taken simple actions inspired by the Earth Charter to create more sustainable communities. Visitors to the exhibit will have the opportunity to fill out pledge cards to be displayed on one of the posters and can also fill out suggestion cards with ideas on how we can continue to reduce our carbon footprint at York.

“What Can You Do with a Flashlight, a Can Opener and a Megaphone?”

Diane Saxe
Dianne Saxe

The second portion of day takes place in the Senate chamber (N940 Ross) from 2:30 to 4pm, with a Q&A session with Dianne Saxe.

Saxe is the recently appointed Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, a graduate York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, and one of Canada’s most respected environmental lawyers. She will discuss the role of the environmental commissioner’s office in directing public attention to important issues (the flashlight), getting information from the government (the can opener), and communicating findings (the megaphone).

York’s Annual Sustainability Fair is co-hosted by the President’s Sustainability Council and the Business and Sustainability class in the Faculty of Environmental Studies.