This climate rally had some powerful speeches:
- Dr Kyla Tienhara (Canada Research Chair in Economy and Environment) talked about climate reparations and justice. The current situation in Pakistan with flooding is a case where the rich countries need to provide assistance to those suffering the consequences of climate change to which they contributed very little.
- Dr. Henry Swoboda (CAPE – Canadian Associationof Physicians for the Environment) talked about the link between climate change disease and health.
- Dr. Jeremy Milloy (Lead, Integrity of Creation and Climate Change at Sisters of Providence) talked about the links between climate change and social justice. (See Just Recovery Kingston for more information).
- Gavin Hutchison (Founding member of 350 Kingston) announced the official launch of 50by2030Kingston.ca – an umbrella group asking the City of Kingston to increase its ambition in curbing Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHGs) beyond the current goal of 30% to a 50% reduction by 2030 in keeping with the science.
- Stephanie Sherman (a Queen’s U undergraduate student) spoke on behalf Kingston Youth Climate Action about the upcoming municipal election: its importance and how to register and vote.
- Municipal Candidates who were in support of the 50% GHG reduction goal spoke briefly:
Annette Burfoot – Williamsville
Joel Thompson – Collins-Bayridge
Ivan Stoiljkovic – Mayor
Ian Clark – Williamsville
Rob Matheson – Trillium
Colleen Murphy – Portsmouth
Oren Nimelman – Portsmouth
Jacqui Collier – Loyalist-Cataraqui
These candidates have pledged but were unable to attend;
Peter Stroud – Sydenham
Jacob Wynperle – Meadowbrook-Strathcona
Lindsay Duggan – Pittsburgh
Paul Chaves – Loyalist-Cataraqui
Zachary Typhair – Portsmouth
Wendy Stephen – Lakeside
Brandon Tozzo – Kingston Rideau
Tina Fraser – Mayor
Conny Glenn – Sydenham
Jimmy Hassan -Trillium
Lisa Osanic – Collinsbay-Bayridge
