The Martlet

Get ready to have your sustainability memory challenged.

From March 19 to 20, the Environmental Studies Students’ Association (ESSA) will be hosting “Reclaiming Sustainability,” a conference designed to make students question the stereotypes and thought processes around one of the newest environmental buzzwords — uniquely from the undergraduate level.

“UVic has really become a centre for ecological activism and sustainability issues, and there’s a lot of really good work that goes on at the undergraduate level that doesn’t get discussed,” said Michael Pickering, the academic organizer for the conference. “We wanted to give undergrads a chance to have their ideas heard, and to share those ideas with other undergrads.”

The conference will open with a keynote speech from UVic’s own Environmental Studies professor James Rowe, titled: “The End of Sustainability (A Good News Story).” If the title is any indication, students will be taking a new look at the root causes of environmental degradation and how we can most effectively address the future.

“We all have this very particular idea of what sustainability means to us at UVic, but that’s not the same as what’s shared by the word bank or the UN. What is it exactly that we mean?” Pickering said. “We wanted to do something to foster that relationship and that dialogue.”

With speakers hailing from UVic, Simon Fraser University and the University of Northern B.C., topics will range from “Redefining Sustainability Through Technology” to “The Role of Activism in Sustainability.” Pickering says he’s thrilled with the response that’s been directed toward the conference so far.

“The thing that makes me the happiest about this [conference] at this point is seeing that there are people coming in from other universities just to be here and attend the event,” he said. “If we get a good turnout of maybe 40 students from other universities that’s a great networking opportunity for everyone.”

ESSA hopes to see the event become a regular affair.

The conference is completely open to all UVic students, and admittance is by donation. Proceeds will pay for the costs of the conference, while the remainder will be put toward a scholarship fund for the Red Fish School of Change, a group that sponsors the efforts of young people directing greater ecological sustainability and social equity.

Pickering even a $5 donation can make a big difference.

“We have this incredible environment developing on Vancouver Island, where there’s a great momentum surrounding the sustainable movement, he said. “We want to do what we can to help build those bridges throughout the community.”

For more information, or to see the full schedule, check out the group’s Facebook page, “Reclaiming Sustainability Conference.”