Join us for Laurier's first Climate Action Week from October 7 to 11

Join us for Wilfrid Laurier University's first Climate Action Week from October 7 to 11 on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses! Led by the Sustainability Office, the 2024 Climate Action Week theme is "Collaboration for Climate Action." Tackling some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges requires extensive collaboration among industry leaders, educational institutions, governments, NGOs and all citizens. Within our community, collaboration is also a critical tool to create solutions to the environmental and social issues that stem from climate change. To maximize collaborative efforts, it is imperative to raise awareness and create space for our students, faculty and staff to participate. 

This year's Climate Action Week will showcase research, operational, and engagement efforts across Laurier that support the creation of a low-carbon campus and resilient community. Through online and in-person engagement, we aim to show the Laurier communtiy how they can become active participants and leaders in climate action. This in turn will help Wilfrid Laurier University to progress as a leader in climate action among post-secondary institutions. 

Climate Action Week Schedule

Monday, October 7

Climate Action Week Kick-off!

We're starting off the week with a climate action themed giveaway. To enter, follow the Sustainability Office on Instagram @LaurierGreen, and wait for the giveaway post to launch. Once we've launched the giveaway, answer the question in the caption. For a bonus entry, tag one friend! The prize will be a climate themed package valued at $100.

Faces of Climate Action Feature

There are so many contributors involved in achieving a low-carbon, sustainable future. At Laurier there are researchers, students, faculty and staff who work diligently to support climate action. Throughout the week, the Sustainability Office will be featuring the "faces of climate action" at Laurier. Stay tuned to learn about all the community-facing and behind-the-scenes work happening to create a brighter future!

Tuesday, October 8

Laurier 2040 Challenge: Mapping Climate Action

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on our campus's future? Join us on October 8 in the Hawk's Nest on the Waterloo Campus, from 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m. for a one-of-a-kind event designed exclusively for Laurier students. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and tackle the Laurier 2040 Challenge: Mapping Climate Action!

• Students can work as a team (up to five members in each team) to decide on innovative solutions that will transform our campus into a sustainable, low-carbon community by 2040.
• Bring your best ideas! Each team will be evaluated by a panel of judges.
• The stakes are high! The winning team will walk away with an incredible prize - either $100 OneCard top-ups for each team member OR the opportunity to donate $500 to a Laurier vetted environmental charity in Canada (preference for a local organization).
• This event's registration is limited. Please register at the Laurier 2040 Challenge event page. 

Wednesday, October 9

What's our Flight Plan? Tackling air travel in Laurier's climate action

Air travel plays a crucial role in core university missions including research, collaborations, and student exchanges, field courses and recruitment. Flying is also an important source of greenhouse gas emissions. Universities have struggled to create meaningful policies to reduce their flight emissions. How can we tackle this difficult issue at Laurier, while still carrying out our work in effective ways? Please join us to think through the ethics of academic air travel, in a climate emergency and potential strategies to reduce it. 

• Co-sponsored by the Office of Research Services, the Sustainability Office and the WLUFA Climate Action Committee.
• Wednesday, October 9, from 1:00p.m. to 2:20p.m., Senate and Board Chambers, Waterloo and Brantford.
• This will be a hybrid event with a connection between the in-person locations in Brantford and Waterloo. The in-person presentations will be made at the Waterloo campus. For those wishing to participate virtually - please register here, registration will be not be required for those attending in-person. 

Thursday, October 10

Laurier 2040 Challenge: Mapping Climate Action 

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on our campus's future? Join us on October 10 in the Senate and Board Chambers on the Brantford Campus, from 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m. for a one-of-a-kind event designed exclusively for Laurier students. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and tackle the Laurier 2040 Challenge: Mapping Climate Action!

• Students can work as a team (up to five members on a team) to decide on innovative solutions that will transform our campus into a sustainable, low-carbon community by 2040. 
• Bring your best ideas! Each team will be evaluated by a panel of judges. 
• The stakes are high! The winning team will walk away with an incredible prize - either $100 OneCard top-ups for each team member OR the opportunity to donate $500 to a Laurier vetted environmental charity in Canada (preference for a local organization). 
• This event's registration is limited. Please register at the Laurier 2040 Challenge event page. 

We're looking forward to seeing you in-person or online! Don't forget to follow @LaurierGreen to stay in the loop with Climate Action Week. If you have any questions, please reach out to one of the Sustainability Outreach and Programs Officers - Kat at kmilicic@wlu.ca or Dan at dmcgregor@wlu.ca.