Sunday, November 6, 2022 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Zoom
Event Category:
Environmental Sustainability
Join us for the third annual TEDxSelkirkCollege Countdown. Together, we will champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and turn ideas into action.
- Sunday, November 6
- 3–5 pm
- Zoom
- attendance is free, everyone is welcome
- registration is required
Let’s build a better future by cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 in the race to a zero-carbon world—a world that is safer, cleaner and fairer for everyone.
This event is hosted in partnership between Selkirk College and the West Kootenay Climate Hub. Find out more!
Local speakers at this event include:
Kaitlyn Taburiaux completed the Rural Pre-Medicine program at Selkirk College last year. As part of this program, she partnered with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby to complete a research project on the most significant mental health impacts affecting local youth due to the climate crisis.
Sarah West, MPA, BA(H), DKATI, is a professional development consultant and environmental arts therapist, working with individuals and organizations to deepen resiliency and innovate decision-making through creative, land-based practices. With over a decade of senior level experience working with governments and Indigenous communities, her lifelong practice of engaging the transformative power of creativity and connecting with the land has resulted in a deep, inner knowing that the natural world is full of teachings and guidance, and that we are responsible for its sustainable, reciprocal stewardship.
Malin Christensson has been teaching since she was director of studies at the Centre for Environment and Development Studies at Uppsala University, Sweden. She runs the outdoor school The Forest Path and has facilitated many ecological grief workshops in the tradition of Joanna Macy.
Olga Hallborg is a mom, registered nurse, master of public health and resident of Castlegar. In 2020, Olga answered the call from the David Suzuki Foundation and became a butterflyway ranger. She started Butterflyway Project in Castlegar to support local native pollinators through planting native plants.
Elizabeth Hallborg is a student at Stanley Humphries Secondary School (SHSS) and president of the SHSS Environmental Club. In 2020, she started volunteering with the Butterflyway Project alongside her mom.
Melissa Lavery is the coordinator for Wildsight's Youth Climate Corps program in West Kootenay. She entered the role with over a decade of experience in youth leadership and outdoor education and is currently studying the impacts of the Youth Climate Corps programming as she completes her master's in environmental education and communication.
Alex Leffelaar participated in the first Youth Climate Corps in Nelson in 2020. He is currently working with the RDCK as the climate action assistant, helping to develop a four-year Climate Action Plan that is innovative in its focus on cultural and systemic shifts, and influence in rural communities. He has recently begun studying music at Selkirk College, adding to his background in environmental engineering.
Bruno-Charles Busseau completed a BA in geography and environmental studies from the University of Ottawa and a MSc in geography applied to remote sensing from Sherbrooke University. He has since been working in the fields of forestry and agriculture.
Since joining Selkirk College as an assistant researcher, he has moved his focus to the use of LiDAR technologies in natural environments.
Solita Work is the vice president of the West Kootenay Cycling Coalition and the owner and founder of Bear Spring Eco Retreat and Reworks Upcyle Shop. Her passion for riding bicycles, active transportation and waste reduction spans over 20 years and is deeply intertwined with her eco entrepreneur experience. She is actively involved in building strong, connected communities equipped to address the climate crises using existing knowledge, infrastructure and innovative visioning.
Jacomien van Tonder is the director of Metal Tech Alley, a successful regional marketing strategy from the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC) based in Trail, BC. The LCIC is considered a leader in economic development best practices through creating a circular economy hub in small rural areas. The success of Metal Tech Alley rests on embracing industry of all sectors and supporting innovation for companies that are engaging with circular practices and doughnut economics. Jacomien was born in South Africa and emigrated to Canada 14 years ago. She got a Baccalaureus Procurationis degree and practiced as a lawyer and CEO of a Top 500 South African Company. Since moving to Canada, she has branched out to take her career in new directions to include Economic Development and Project Management.
Joelle Burnie is the environmental outreach coordinator for Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society. She is a young and passionate environmentalist with over four years of experience working for non-profits dedicated to protecting and stewarding nature. 
Sapphire Guthrie is a 19 year old singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is studying voice, songwriting and composition in the Music & Technology program at Selkirk College. Her poetic songs span many genres, including folk, pop, rock and ballads, and are inspired by themes such as the human condition, the beauty of the natural world, and social and political issues.
Marie-Luise Flury, a second year Rural Pre-Medicine student at Selkirk College, will be hosting this year’s TEDx event! She is passionate about preserving our environment and is keen to get more invovled. Marie-Luise is always looking for ways to help community, especially here at home in the beautiful Kootenay region.
Tia Currie is first year nursing student at Selkirk College. She lives on unceded Sinixt territory in Trail, BC, with her two dogs, Cece and Franklin, and partner, Andrew. She is passionate about gardening, local food security and zero-waste initiatives. She is one of our hosts for this year’s TEDx event!Follow Sustainable Selkirk on Facebook and Instagram.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.