Peel Environmental Youth Alliance

Speaker Series Archive: Joanna Dafoe

Joanna Dafoe was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, where she was first introduced to a smorgasbord of political ideas by her older brother. Joanna has done extensive traveling around the world. She spent a year living in London, England, where she worked for Amnesty International and helped in the organization of the European Social Forum, among other activities. Her recent participation at the United Nations COP11/MOP1 has piqued an exciting academic curiosity about the global climate change discussions, the various levers of power delegates use to pursue their agendas, how those agendas are formed, and whether such political meetings lead to effective environmental institutions. This past December, Joanna was part of a youth delegation that traveled to Bali for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Joanna is also a member of the Sierra Youth Coalition, as well as Trinity College's Environment Club at the University of Toronto. She is enrolled in the Peace and Conflict Studies program.

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Joanna was the first speaker in our PEYA Online Speaker series, and talked about her work on the International Climate Change Scene. Joanna offered a multitude of resources and websites which are listed below. She also welcomed any further questions from PEYA members via email, joanna.dafoe at gmail.com

If you missed Joanna and would like to watch a recording from Tuesday February 19th, click here!

International Climate Change Efforts

1 - International Youth Climate Network
This is the wiki site of the international youth climate network. The site gives an idea of our current projects and organizing around the UN climate negotiations. To join our listserve, send me an email or register here

2 - United Nations Climate Change Conferences
If you are interested in seeing, and impacting, the creation of international environmental policy then consider attending a UN climate change conference. Two forthcoming conferences to consider include the Commission on Sustainable Development in New York City from May 5-16th (link) or next year's climate change conference in Poland and the many intercessional meetings leading up to Poland.

Canadian Climate Change Efforts

1 - Canadian Youth Climate Coalition
If you are part of an environmental group that would benefit from joining a network of other youth NGOs who work on climate change then consider joining the CYCC. They also have a great listserve to learn about activities happening across the country.

2 - Canadian Youth Delegation
Learn about the Canadian Youth Delegation to UN Climate Change conferences. If this interests you, consider joining our team next year!

3 - Sierra Youth Coalition
Part of a high school, University or College that you think could be more sustainable? The SYC Sustainable High School and Campuses Project will connect you to the resources, people, and networks to help you make this happen. You can come to Sustainable Campuses conferences to learn about the green initiatives taking place across the country, showcase your own projects, and brainstorm around the challenges you face on campus.
There are also cool volunteer opportunities with SYC including the chance to participate or facilitate in a Youth Action Gathering camp (think - a getaway with a group of amazing young people inspired to change their communities and learn more about the world... for no cost); be a member on the Project Committee of Board of Directors; or design your own volunteer position. Here is the icing on the cake that is SYC - members get 40% off Via Rail tickets!

4 - Its Getting Hot in Here Blog
IGHIH blog is the place to go for a fresh perspective on climate change issues as it relates to young people. The blog is often focused on campus initiatives across North America. Aspiring eco-journalists should consider being a contributing author.

Information sites

1 - Climate Action Network
A network of NGOs around the world and in Canada who focus on climate change issues. This is *the* group for coordinating NGO activities around the UN negotiations and has a great sense of recent climate change activity (policy, scientific, etc.)

2 - The Pembina Institute
A great policy resources if you want to learn more about environmentally friendly policies that can or should be made in Canada. A great general resource.

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