Earth Day Symposium accentuates the positive
For those who despair the world is on an unsustainable course when it comes to the environment and see the current political climate as a terrible backslide in terms of humanity’s response to these challenges, take heart, says University of Lethbridge Earth Day Symposium organizer Antoine Gendron.
“We want to focus on those things we have done right in terms of the environment here in the area and we wanted to build some connections in the community,” said Gendron, a general science and pre-ed. student at the U of L who also emceed Tuesday’s symposium in the university’s Atrium. “Little steps we take together make big steps for everyone as a whole. Often when we talk about Earth Day it is kind of negative. So I wanted to see what we have accomplished which is positive, and we could continue to build on.”
Gendron was echoed in this thought by Oldman Watershed Council executive director Shannon Frank, who was one of about a dozen local speakers at the three-hour event.
“I am going to assume you care about environmental issues like climate change, water quality and species extinction because you are here right now,” said Frank to the approximately 100 attendees at the symposium. “I am going to assume sometimes you are afraid like I am that things seem to be heading south. You don’t want to watch the news anymore. And if you read things on Facebook, that can be kind of terrifying. You wonder why the powerful politicians don’t seem to be doing anything about it.
“Lucky for you, I have all the answers. And it really is much simpler than you think. Just three things that make a big difference.”
Frank highlighted the importance of supporting environmental organizations who are as passionate about your cause as you are, donating money to support their work and volunteering your time to assist them in the work they need to do.
However, she didn’t sugarcoat the challenges ahead for all who wish to fight for a more environmentally friendly community and world.
“But also there is some bad news,” she added. “It ain’t easy. It kind of sucks sometimes and it’s scary, and it’s probably going to take your whole life to accomplish. It never ends. It’s about doing things over and over and not losing hope.”