Hiking up the hill

A dedicated group of students, staff, faculty and friends from the John Molson School of Business hiked up Mount-Royal last Saturday to take a stand on climate change. The walk coincided with 5 200 events worldwide organized under the auspices of 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action. Measured in parts per million, 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Organizer Chantal Forgues, a research associate at the David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise, rallied the troops in the lobby of the MB Building. “Let’s get some carbon-free exercise!” she said as they set off up the hill.

Once at the lookout, they posed for a group photo to post on 350.org and then headed into the chalet for a vegetarian lunch from Le Commensal.

Rina Albala, graduate president of the John Molson Sustainable Business Group and co-organizer of the walk, said the business community has no choice but to address sustainability.

“Green companies will have a huge competitive advantage. It just makes good business sense. It’s good for morale and it’s good for your bottom line,” said Albala.

The Concordia Student Union hosted their own 350 events, including a bike rally to city hall later that day.

On Oct. 30, the David O’Brien Center will also be presenting a lecture in association with the School of Canadian Irish studies (see related story) featuring Jim Kennelly from Skidmore College in New York. Kennelly will address Competitiveness, Sustainability and Sense of Place in Post-Boom Ireland at 5 p.m. in MB 02-210.