Photo credit: Iron & Earth (CC BY-SA)

This public event organized by the UBC Department of Geography Climate Action Committee and student-directed seminar ASTU 400B: Exploring the Intersections of Climate Change offers a discussion about the following questions: What does Canada need to do to reach its Paris Agreement goal, and what does a Just Transition for All look like? What should Canada’s energy future look like over the long term?

The goal of this panel is to introduce various work and research that are currently underway within the field and promote an open conversation between the panel and audience members about energy transition and action.

While this event is hosted virtually, the organizers are based on the unceded, traditional, ancestral and occupied homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, also known as Vancouver today. These lands were never surrendered.

Upon registration, you will receive a Zoom link 2 days before the event and an event reminder 30 minutes prior. The event is free and participants are encouraged to engage with their video on/off or through the chat. This event will be recorded for those who are not able to attend.

Our speakers:

Mihskakwan James Harper (he/him/his)

Mihskakwan James Harper is a passionate Nehiyaw (Cree) man from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, located in Treaty 8 territory (northern Alberta). Born in Edmonton, and raised by his mom, along with his two younger sisters, he was brought up with a foundation based on the teachings of his ancestors. While he grew up in the city, his mother always made sure to lead by example by taking action in various political and grassroots movements, which helped him gain an insight into what it means to be Cree in a contemporary context. He graduated high school in Winnipeg the same year his mom graduated law school. He then pursued a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Manitoba, where he founded a vehicle design team that competed in an ultra-efficient battery electric vehicle in the Shell Eco-Marathon competition.

To build even stronger aptitude in climate action, renewable energy, and decarbonization, he recently completed a masters in science in renewable energy, a dual program that brought him to Stockholm and Paris. He is dedicated to bringing solutions that empower communities with clean technologies, ensuring that the children of the future get to experience the gifts of the land as much as he did.

Shakti Ramkumar (she/her/hers)

Shakti Ramkumar is the Director of Communications and Policy at Student Energy, a global youth-led non-profit empowering the next generation of leaders who will accelerate the transition to a sustainable, equitable energy future. Shakti leads Student Energy's communications strategy, centered on uniting and amplifying the voices of young people in energy. As part of her work, Shakti led the expansion and redesign of Student Energy's Energy System Map, a free, dynamic energy education tool that has to date reached over 3.5 million global users. She is also an inaugural member of the Canada-wide Climate Action Cohort, led by Students on Ice and Youth Climate Lab. Previously, she has designed and taught a short course on energy and climate change for middle school students in her hometown in rural India, sparking an interest in creating accessible energy education and skill-building opportunities for young people with a global focus.

Sandeep Pai (he/him/his)

Sandeep Pai is a former journalist and current PhD Candidate at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC. He is also the co-author of the book, "Total Transition: The Human Side of the Renewable Energy Revolution."

Seth Klein (he/him/his)

Seth Klein served for 22 years as the founding British Columbia Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a research institute committed to social, economic and environmental justice. He is now a freelance writer, speaker and policy consultant, and an adjunct professor with Simon Fraser University’s Urban Studies program. His book – A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency – was released in September 2020.