A CLIMATE CHANGE CONVERSATION IN EASTERN ONTARIO: A RIVER INSTITUTE PROJECT CORNWALL

Future Climate Leaders is the name of the project. The goal of this project is to increase public awareness about climate change within different levels of society, while encouraging the community with information to support a climate change solution. Even if it is one action done many times, it has an effect. This project will be delivered online with town halls, a website and workshops.

Louis Savard, Head of RiverLabs, the Applied Research department of The River Institute outlined that, “This project will include a website to educate, inform and guide individuals to progress towards sustainable thinking and most  important of all, action.”

“This is an initiative to create a means for outreach, awareness and development of future resources for our community and region” explained the Project Coordinator, Lee Theodore.

Townhalls will begin on May 18^th, 2021 and occur every third Tuesday (to the best of our ability) of each month. The general public is greatly welcomed to participate with any Townhall. The final Townhall will conclude on December 14^th, 2021 and information can be found on the Future Climate Leaders Facebook page.

The region of Eastern Ontario is a unique one. Specific to Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry United Counties, the combined population is in the approximation of 113, 400+, including the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne and Cornwall (30,000+, 46,000+, respectively), the population includes some 189,000 unique individuals employed across varying sectors including but not limited to: agriculture, services, retail and manufacturing.

The St. Lawrence River binds history, nations and livelihoods. With the commonality of that mighty river in mind, this initiative delivered by The River Institute, funded in part by the Government of Canada, is set to begin a public dialogue campaign on the issue of climate change in our region.

The River Institute was established in 1994 as a unique community partnership involving the City of Cornwall, government, education, business and industry, and the Mohawks of Akwesasne. Its mandate is environmental research and education with a focus on the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence River ecosystem. As a non-profit charitable organization, the River Institute raises its own funds for all essential costs, including salaries, administration, overhead, and operations. To support the River Institute visit https://www.riverinstitute.ca/donate/