Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability

SCAN! Seniors Day for Climate Action

CAFES member SCAN Ottawa (Seniors for Climate Action Now) will definitely put Ottawa on the national map. October 1st 2024 will be the National Seniors Day for Climate, organized by SCAN! There will be 63 different events going on across the country, and Ottawa's event is sure to be one you won't want to miss. CAFES will be delivering a presentation along with 5-6 other environmental organizations, and there will be several exciting musical performances.

SCAN! is a seniors’ climate action group that aims to inform and mobilize seniors in an effort to prevent more climate catastrophes and protect the planet for future generations. SCAN! recognizes that climate action is also a demand for social justice and economic transformation as well as an opportunity to address racism, economic inequities and Indigenous solidarity. 

Read on to hear convener and CAFES member Letitia Charbonneau speak about SCAN Ottawa and the event that is planned in Ottawa on October 1st.

"Participating along with 800 other seniors in a webinar this evening with David Suzuki and Courtney Howard, hosted by Seniors for Climate, I feel so inspired and energized. Such good advice and wisdom is just what is needed to help us continue working on our plans for our National Seniors for Climate Day event here in Ottawa on October 1st.

The challenges we face in dealing with climate change can often feel overwhelming but events such as these give us the motivation and energy to carry on and continue to help organize and mobilize seniors across the country. Knowing that ACTION IS HOPE is what spurs me to continue to be active and engaged.

Our organizing team is the result of a coalition of a few groups: SCAN! (Seniors for Climate Action Now), The Council of Canadians Ottawa, and GRAN (Grandmothers Advocacy Network Ottawa-Gatineau). We have had a lot of fun organizing a flashmob which attracted over 60 dancers and have enjoyed working with young volunteers helping us with social media and designing promotional materials online.

For the October 1st event, we have benefitted from our connections with local organizations and have able to put together an exciting afternoon of information sharing and discussion on how we can all work together to be more effective and have a greater impact. Our presenters will be from CAFES, Ecology Ottawa, Horizon, ACORN, Ottawa Renewable Energy Coop and CAPE (Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment). To celebrate the day, we have invited musical guests, like the Raging Grannies, accompanied by Chris White, and the Just Voices choir.

We will begin the event with the deputy mayor Laine Johnson presenting us with a proclamation officially declaring October 1st 'National Seniors for Climate Day'. We plan to use that as leverage in future encounters with City Council and committees when delegating on so many items relating to how Ottawa deals with climate change.

Our event will take place at Knox Presbyterian, 120 Lisgar at Elgin, from 1 to 4 pm. Folks who arrive early will enjoy a surprise near the Human Rights Monument. Doors will open at 12:45pm. There is no charge for admission but people are encouraged to pre-register HERE on Eventbrite. Come prepared to participate in an interactive and productive discussion. Be part of the solution. Hope comes from action!"

For more information on SCAN! and this exciting national event on October 1st, visit seniorsforclimateactionnow.org or contact ottawa@seniorsforclimateactionnow.org

SCAN! acknowledges the Ottawa Climate Action Fund for their generous contribution in supporting this event.

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