Over the last couple of months we’ve been hearing a lot about COP26. This United Nations Climate Change Conference, is the 26th such conference. It was held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland between 31 October and 12 November 2021, under the presidency of the United Kingdom. For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits – called COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.
Rotary International has recognized the importance of addressing climate change. In 2019 “Supporting the Environment” become Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development.
On May 14, 2022, the Rotary District 5360 Conference will be coming to Cochane and the theme is “Supporting the Environment”. This conference will take us on a journey of discovery, looking at our world through the lens of Air, Water, Earth and Fire.
We have a number of incredible speakers including Stephanie Christensen, Executive Director of Shelterbox, Canada. Using personal deployment stories, Stephanie will talk about how disasters are changing, and how the new challenges we are facing (global pandemics, overcrowding, food scarcity and more) are impacting how the humanitarian system provides emergency relief.
We will also be hearing from Sari Ohsada. Sari is a Rotary Global Grant Scholar from Canmore, Alberta, who read the MSc in Environmental Change and Management program at the University of Oxford. As a researcher, she examined justice and equity aspects of the thermal coal transition that affects rural Albertan communities. She is a learner and advocate for community diversity and inclusion and conflict resolution. Sari will share her experiences working in Canada and abroad in the area of climate change, and how listening can be a powerful skill to bring people together, especially in times of rapid change.
The one day conference will held at the Alliance Church and we are looking forward to welcoming 400 participants.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this conference. Meet Rotarians from across Southern Alberta and learn about how we can all make a change. If you are interested in checking out this conference and registering then go to: www.discon5360.ca.
We only have one earth. It is only by working together that we can ensure that we have a sustainable future for everyone on this Plant.
© 2021 Martin Parnell
