Greys for Green launch event in Alliston raises awareness on climate issues
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Reprinted from Simcoe.com
The Greys for Green inaugural launch event was an especially important day for six residents from the Briar Hill community who formed the not-for-profit organization.
Its mission is to engage the New Tecumseth community and council in the development of a model to reduce their carbon footprint and take meaningful steps toward solving our climate change challenges.
The group hosted its inaugural launch recently at the Gibson Centre in Alliston with a program that included a keynote speaker, Dr. Peter Sale, who is a world-renowned researcher and spokesperson for coral reefs.
In his talk, Dr. Sale detailed the threat our coral reefs face because of our changing climate. He then broadened his focus to what is happening globally, what the consequence is if we don’t do something to stop our atmosphere from heating up and the need for action on everyone’s part to change and reduce the adverse consequences that now seem unavoidable. Dr. Sale ended his talk with a message of hope, giving examples of people, cities, and countries taking steps to do just that.
Also, part of the program was an important well-received short video featuring Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, an immensely popular Canadian atmospheric scientist who has become a universally recognized climate crusader. Prior to handing out several door prizes and a closing statement by Kelly Pearce, the president and founder of Greys for Green, several open and meaningful conversations were conducted with local businesses who provided funding, including cutyourhomecarbon.com, Trillium Ford, Alliston Physiotherapy and Sports Rehabilitation, and The Tooth Doctors. The conversations centred on why they supported the organization, how climate change was impacting their business, how they were dealing with those impacts, and creative ways they were reducing their carbon footprints
The overall theme of the evening was to raise awareness of the issue and offer the participants an opportunity to join the group or provide funding, as well as commit to attending future information and workshop events. These upcoming events will deal with a wide range of topics, from energy consumption to food waste, that would ultimately identify lifestyle choices that could become part of an individual’s carbon reduction strategy.
Participants were asked to share this information and initiate a conversation with family, friends, and neighbours to better broaden awareness of the bigger problem and the need to participate as individuals in meaningful solutions and lifestyle changes
Around 47 people were present for the launch event held Sept. 20, including several municipal election candidates. Most attendees seemed appreciative of the information provided and, judging by the questions from the floor, engaged in the issue.
“Great agenda. Great speakers. Great turnout,” said Tim Short, from cutyourhomecarbon.com, the event’s platinum sponsor. “Very, very charming venue. I think Greys for Green managed to platform the organization and cause very well.”
“Kudos to the Greys for Green committee for this event,” said Briar Hill resident Garry Munnings. “It was very informative. The experts who presented said that a lot of work is needed to lessen our carbon footprint on this planet, and time is of the essence.”
After the event, participants were sent a survey asking for valuable feedback to assist Greys for Green in planning future community initiatives.