GUELPH – The Community Environmental Leadership Program (CELP) is set to host 150 Grade 9 students at the University of Guelph Arboretum Centre on Nov. 13 for its second ever Clima-Con.
Grade 10 CELP students and their teachers are planning the day as part of their curriculum in science, civics and interdisciplinary studies.
It’s funded by the Youth Climate Action Grant from the City of Guelph.
Local youth climate activist Abigail Walton will address attendees with a keynote talk on how youth can get involved and take action on climate issues.
Grade 9 student teams from geography classes at John F Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute (CVI), Guelph CVI and Centennial CVI will compete in hands-on team challenges around the Arboretum.
Topics will include food waste, the City of Guelph’s climate goals, sustainable transportation, postcards to politicians, invasive species, native tree identification and local climate issues and solutions.
Points will be awarded by local “celebrity judges” from community groups and city departments that have been working on climate issues in the community, Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) officials state.
During lunch, teams will have the opportunity to earn more points by visiting a climate fair to learn about how to act on climate change issues in Guelph.
Organizations confirmed so far for the climate fair include eMerge Guelph, Fresh Water Canada, the Guelph Tool Library, Guelph Climate Action Network, The Arboretum, City of Guelph Forestry and Sustainable Landscapes, City of Guelph Race to Zero Energy and Climate Change, Trees for Guelph, Seniors for Climate Action,Now Guelph, The Climate Hope Lab, Guelph Family Health Study, the Climate Reality Project and City of Guelph Transportation Services.
