Conference addresses environmental issues

It was standing room only as some 250 people filled the auditorium in the SP Building to listen to Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament and leader of the Green Party of Canada and Damon Matthews, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment,present keynote addresses to kick off the Sustainability: Rio +20 conference. The conference was organized by Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability (formerly Loyola International College) and Siena College.

With tears in her eyes, May expressed concern that while Canada was once at the forefront of global efforts to promote cutting emissions and setting international goals towards a greener planet, we were now falling far behind other industrialized nations. Canada’s opting out of the Kyoto Pact was only one example she cited in a litany of regressive steps and her discussion of the new budget made it clear that environmental concerns were lacking.

May’s concerns were echoed on day two of the Conference which saw a collection of presentations from Siena and Concordia students and professors on themes of local and global sustainability. .

“The theme of this year’s conference was particularly important to us as it marked the first event hosted by the newly renamed Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability and the appearance of a new Minor in Sustainability Studies,” says Rosemarie Schade, Principal of the College. “What better way to introduce the new Minor and the new direction of the College.”

The two Colleges have been hosting joint conferences since 2005 on themes surrounding globalization.

This year, in support of the College’s mission to minimize its footprint, meals were served using biodegradable and ceramic dishes and cutlery. It was dedicated to the memory of Journalism Professor Ross Perigoe, who died in January and for many years was a Fellow of the College.