Staff
Cameron Fenton – National Director
director@ourclimate.ca
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Cameron grew up splitting time between the rocky mountains and the northern prairies. He developed a passion for do it yourself organizing as a teenager in the Edmonton music scene, starting both a promotion company and record label and connecting music with grassroots movements for social and environmental justice. After moving to Montreal to study at Concordia University Cameron became increasingly involved in climate organizing, and has since been involved in numerous initiatives with the CYCC and other organizations. He is also an avid supporter of independent media, having worked as a journalist and editor for a number of independent papers and magazines in Canada. Cam is also a founding member of Climate Justice Montreal and an action and strategy trainer, and is dedicated to empowering youth to become the movement we need to ensure a safe, just and clean future for our generation and those that will follow us.
Amara Possian – Coordinator, Canadian Youth Delegation to COP17
amara@ourclimate.ca/cyd.djc@ourclimate.ca
I recently finished up a degree in Political Science and Middle East Studies and I’m currently calling Toronto “home” as I plan my next steps. Over the past couple of years, I’ve served as one of the national coordinators of Power Shift Canada, blogged for the CYCC from the UNFCCC intersessional negotiations in Bonn, taken part in the COP-16 climate negotiations as part of the Canadian Youth Delegation, and had the opportunity of collaborating with and learning from some pretty inspiring and passionate folks. I’ve learned that ensuring a strong youth voice is at the table requires a little bit of creativity and I’m really looking forward to working on our Wings of Change campaign, which uses popular education and creative actions to push the Canadian government to act on climate change.
Taryn Hancock – Education & Outreach Intern Edmonton
taryn@ourclimate.ca
Having grown up in Calgary, I moved to my birthplace, Edmonton, to complete a degree at the University of Alberta. After moving to Edmonton, I began to become involved in feminism and reproductive rights, starting up the pro-choice group Voices for Choices. The more I learned about the world around me, the more I saw the interconnectedness of oppressions, and saw a need to become involved in environmentalism. During the Copenhagen Summit I participated in Climate Justice sit-ins in MP offices and became connected to a community of inspiring activists.
Having now spent a couple of years in activism of numerous types, I see the inter-connectedness of oppressions even more, including within our activist communities. I spend much of my time developing skills related to anti-oppression, community building, and non-hierarchical organizing as I see it as necessary to the fight for the environment. I am excited to now be a part of CYCC, since its focus on climate justice and empowering youth is central to our struggle! When I am not doing activism I spend my time biking, rock climbing, at music festivals, making visual art, writing poetry and learning to grow and preserve my own food.
Robin Tress – Education & Outreach Intern Halifax
robin@ourclimate.ca
Robin grew up in
Barrie, Ontario, but has since relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and recently graduated from Environmental Science and Biology at Dalhousie University. Robin has been largely involved in campus sustainability groups and local social justice movements, and has been involved in CYCC activities since 2009. She is currently the CYCC outreach co-ordinator for Atlantic Canada, and is working on projects like Power Summer and the Wings of Change. She would like to get into green energy development in the future, but for now is working on local environmental issues like coastal protection and environmental education. Robin was part of the media and actions teams on CYD-Cancun in 2010, and has used her CYD training and connections back in Halifax to organize events like a vote mob and a rally for electoral reform. She’s excited to get to work with CYD-Durban and would love to meet with anyone in the Halifax area to build the movement and help them become more involved in the CYCC.
Pomme Arros – Education & Outreach Intern Vancouver
pomme@ourclimate.ca
While born in Montreal, I’m a west coast girl at heart. I grew up on a small Gulf Island in BC where I learned to be an environmentalist simply by habit. After deciding habits can be shared and taught, I registered at Uvic in the Environmental Studies program. During my undergrad, I was active in campus sustainability groups such as Common Energy and the BC Campus Climate Network until I graduated in
2010 with a Double Major in Environmental Studies and Geography. The best graduation gift I received was an open ended ticket to India, which I redeemed exactly one week after submitting my final paper. While volunteering for an Indian NGO and traveling through India, Nepal, China and South Korea my understanding of the links between social and environmental wellbeing deepened, and so too did my personal dedication to climate justice. I am now situated in Vancouver preparing myself for graduate school in the Masters of Public Policy program at Simon Fraser University, where I hope to follow my interest in climate policy. In my spare time, I like to remind myself of what I love most and spend as much time as possible outdoors doing it.
Emily Rees – Education & Outreach Intern Ottawa
emily
@ourclimate.ca
Raised in Dundas, Ontario, Emily now lives in Ottawa completing her Undergraduate degree in International Development and Globalization Studies. She is passionate about the outdoors and loves spending time connecting with the Earth’s natural environment. Emily has worked as a Park Naturalist in Northern Ontario as well as spent time working in Indigenous communities along Hudson’s Bay. Emily has been involved with climate activism, primarily in Ottawa, being a collective member of Climate Justice Ottawa, and volunteering with Peoples Republic of Delicious (PRD), one of Ottawa’s vegan food collectives. Emily has also spent significant time abroad, which has allowed her to observe and gain another perspective in relation to climate change and other environment issues. The opportunities of conducting field research in Senegal and working in Cambodia with Fisheries Action Coalition Team, doing research in rural fishery communities are two examples where she was able to engage with environmental and social issues. Another one of Emily’s primary interests is in Social media, having created a video documentary about the fisheries while in Cambodia. The ability to be active in various issues has provided her with motivation and further passion. It is our future, and we need to be active if we want to see change.
Gill Buckle – Education & Outreach Intern Toronto
gill@ourclimate.ca
Born and raised in downtown Toronto, Gill spent her childhood summers in rural Québec and the Haliburton Highlands. She moved to Guelph to pursue a degree in Environmental Governance and English at the University of Guelph, and it was there that she discovered the joys of grassroots environmental organizing. She then decided to try her hand at more formal structures of involvement and was elected to the University Senate, and the
Guelph Central Student Association Board of Directors. When in Guelph, she lives here. In her spare time she can be seen going to concerts, reading fiction, practicing yoga, knitting, cooking (mainly desserts) and passing you in
the cycling lane (she wishes).
Volunteer Coordinators
Actions & Strategy:
Campaign Coordinators
Natasha Peters. tasha@ourclimate.ca
Raised in Calgary, and with roots in Northern Alberta’s Peace River region, I now call Ottawa home. I’ve been involved with environmental and social justice initiatives since high school and am now finishing a degree in political science and environmental studies at the University of Ottawa. After spending my first year as a page in the House of Commons, I realized that neither our government nor its broader political structure is working towards an environmentally just society; in fact, they are going the other direction. I am now an organizer with Climate Justice Ottawa and try to connect with and learn from (dis)ability, radical feminist, migrant justice and Indigenous movements. In addition to attending several action trainings, I have been involved with the planning and carrying out of many direct and symbolic actions. I am on the board of my student federation and work at the campus bike co-op. In December of 2010 I traveled to the UN Climate Conference in Cancun with the Canadian Youth Delegation and connected with members of frontline communities around the world who are resisting climate injustice. I also enjoy biking, critical theory, coffee with friends, discussing movement strategy, experimental cooking, and queer dance parties.
Communications:
Media Coordinators
Emilie Novaczek. emilie@ourclimate.ca
Born and raised in (very) rural Prince Edward Island, I originally came out to Halifax to study Philosophy at the University of King’ s College. Four years later, I’m finishing a combined honours in Biology and Sustainability through Dalhousie. This year I spent a semester at the University of the West Indies in Barbados, studying Marine Biology & Climatology (my research focuses on the effects of climate change on the El Nino Southern Oscillation). Outside the classroom, I volunteer with the campus alternative food co-op and I.T.S. For Girls, a program that encourages girls to get involved and interested in science. I spend most of my “free” time planning projects and working with Action!King’s, an organization that tackles student issues like campus food, sustainability on campus and rising tuition. Last December I traveled to COP16 in Cancun with the Canadian Youth Delegation, an incredible experience that allowed me to work with passionate youth from across Canada and around the world. During the summer, I’m an instructor with SuperNOVA, developing and delivering science workshops & summer camps for grades K-12. I love vegetarian cooking (I make a mean African peanut & sweet potato stew), black coffee, social media and scuba diving.
Social Media Coordinators
Mihae Ahn. mihae@ourclimate.ca
Mihae was born and raised in Seoul, Korea, and moved to New York City when she was 20 years old. She earned her BBA in Design and Management in New York City, and is currently working on her master’s degree in Environmental Studies at York University. Her major research is focused on climate justice and international climate negotiations. As a university student back home, she led a student advocacy group that fought for social justice and educated not only students but also the general public about various social-justice issues both within and outside of the national border. Given her activist background, Mihae strongly supports and believes in grassroots movements. With her diverse educational, professional, and cultural experience, she is eager to work with CYCC to reach out to manifold groups of people in Canada and around the world via social media, to raise more awareness for the climate crisis, and to encourage people to take action.
Amanda Charles. amanda@ourclimate.ca
I was born and raised in Cobourg, Ontario and went to Cobourg East high school where I played on different sports teams and helped organize various spirit and fundraising events. In search of something new I decided to move to Halifax to go to Dalhousie University where I currently study Management with a major in Environment, Sustainability and Society. I’ve developed a passion for environmental activism through a series of lectures about the effects of climate change on our world. The more I learn about what we could be doing better for the world, the more I feel this urge to do something about it. I’m here to share my knowledge and passion with the CYCC and learn many new things on my journey. I hope to be a driving force in distributing information as well as inspiring young Canadians to join this movement.
Outreach:
Regional Coordinators
Shawn Khan (Toronto). shawn@ourclimate.ca
Shawn Khan – Born & resides in Toronto, and lived in most of the western provinces of Canada plus around the world. My background has been in environmental and equality issues including more diversity, food rights, and queer justice. Ever since I was little, I have had the passion to bring a more just environment to Climate Justice in which I learned this through various schools, talks, camps, lectures, and family. Many of these have involved direct and indirect actions across Canada to affect real change. Currently, I am helping to build systems that will allow many people access to food, water, shelter in very unique ways. I am involved with the Toronto Climate Campaign and Toronto People’s Assembly bring creative ideas forward. I have been involved with CYCC for 3 years now, working on conferences, campaigns, and outreach. Outside of all of this, I enjoy being vegan (vee-gan), queer, and a diverse youth.
Jazmin Coulson (Kelowna). jazmin@ourclimate.ca
With an aptitude for activism that seems to have stemmed in her diaper-clad years, Jazmin is a dedicated advocate for all sorts of social justice and humanitarian issues. Currently in her graduating year of high school, this hardworking youth is a member of several local and global service initiatives. She is currently serving as Mob Lead for the Okanagan Chapter of the Me to We Mobilizers and has been working closely with organizations like Free the Children and VIDEA for years. When she’s not studying, enjoying time with her family or getting into a heated political discussion, she is in her dance/yoga studio, playing the piano, in choir practice or in a play rehersal.
Robin Tress (Halifax). robin@ourclimate.ca
I’m Robin, I grew up in Barrie, Ontario, and moved to Halifax to attend Dalhousie University in 2007. Since then, I’ve earned a degree in Environmental Science and Biology, focusing on coastal ecology. Outside of the classroom, I spent a lot of time working on campus sustainability projects, community development, and CYCC-driven climate actions. In 2009 I attended PowerShift Canada, which really got me going with the climate movement. In 2010 I had the amazing fortune of going to COP16 in Mexico with the Canadian Youth Delegation, which has given me a greater understanding of the global climate movement, and solidified my desire to stop climate change in its tracks. Now that I’m done school, I’m looking for my next big challenge, and I’m looking forward to working the CYCC in a more direct way! I’m excited to see where it takes me – I want to get people involved in the movement by helping them apply their talents to climate action. Outside of the climate realm, I love checking out marine life at the beach, hiking with friends who know more about the forest than I do, and enjoying time in the sunshine (with appropriate SPF).
Arielle Kayabaga (Ottawa). arielle@ourclimate.ca
Arielle is originally from a small country in the heart of Africa, called Burundi. She grew up in London Ontario but is currently based in Ottawa Ontario. She is studying Political Science with 2 minors in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies. Arielle recently got involved in the climate change movement and her first experience was through the Canadian Youth Delegation attending the UNFCCC COP 16 in Cancun back in November 2010. Since then, She has been actively involved with environmental groups at Carleton and has started a project on War Affected Children for Climate Change which will begin it’s work starting the summer of 2011. She’s passionate about the indigenous groups and cultures and has found pleasure learning and working with them. She looks forward to take part of many great environmental groups to advocate and mobilize Canadians to be aware of their environmental policies and issues as a whole. She loves to read, recently became a coffee fanatic and loves great conversation.
Daniel T’seleie (NWT). daniel@ourclimate.ca
Daniel T’seleie is a member of the K’asho Got’ine First Nation from Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories. He now lives in Yellowknife and works with NGOs on climate change mitigation and adaptation. After spending a year and a half with Yellowknife-based Ecology North as a climate change planner for Tlicho communities, Daniel has recently taken a Northern Climate Internship with Climate Action Network Canada, and is supporting the work of the Northern Voices in the Global Climate Coalition. Daniel completed high school in Yellowknife before spending the next several years of his life working a combination of jobs and attending McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario where he graduated with a BSc in mathematical sciences in 2007. Prior to his current focus on climate change issues, Daniel has taught math, worked as a photojournalist in Yellowknife and Iqaluit, and held policy positions with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Despite living in Yellowknife, Daniel considers Fort Good Hope his home, and regularly returns to visit family and go hunting. He also enjoys reading, writing, and playing music with his friends in Yellowknife.
Policy:
Research Team
Graham Carey. graham@ourclimate.ca
Graham Carey – scientist, environmentalist and proud Maritimer. Graham has a BSc from Dalhousie University in Chemistry and Physics, and is currently working on a PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Toronto. His scientific background taught him the value of conveying important and exciting information to the public without the jargon and ABC XYZ’s, and to trust the hard facts over fancy words. A budding policy wonk who eats UN manuscripts for breakfast, Graham can be found spending his free time (what free time?) with his wife and dog, exploring the Canadian wilderness and the urban Toronto “wilderness”, or vaulting awkwardly through the air in pursuit of an errant Frisbee.
Evan Pivnik. evan@ourclimate.ca
Evan Pivnick – I was born in Calgary, Alberta where I spent much of my childhood in the surrounding Rocky Mountains, skiing and hiking with my family. For the past three years I have been studying at the University of Victoria, pursuing a Major in Political Science, and a Minor in Human Dimensions of Climate Change. I have contributed to a number of local publications, including The Tyee and The Martlet, while also playing two seasons with the University of Victoria Varsity Men’s Soccer team. Recently, I have become focused on influencing environmental policy within Canada, and developing sustainable strategies with regards to its Environmental and Resource Development responsibilities. I am a new member of the CYCC, but strongly believe that since youth are the future, our voice should receive adequate representation in long-term decisions making.
Steve Roddick. steve@ourclimate.ca
Born and raised in the Yukon, Steve has been involved with a wide variety of social justice initiatives for many years before honing in on climate change. After completing a BA in political science from St Francis Xavier University, Steve worked to promote human rights awareness for Yukon youth before relocating to rural Quebec, then rural Mali, to work on agricultural and environmental projects as a participant with Canada World Youth. Steve’s interest in social justice and international development led him to further explore and involve himself with climate change issues, both nationally and internationally.
After relocating to Ottawa, Steve took part in the Power Shift 2009 climate conference, and subsequently, the COP 15 conference in Copenhagen, where he served as an assistant to the Arctic Athabaskan Council. Currently, Steve is pursuing as MA in public and international affairs at the University of Ottawa, where he studies climate change policy, adaptation, and political ecology. He enjoys live music, photography, and writing long sentences about himself in the third person.
Kaeigh McGregor-Bales. kaleigh@ourclimate.ca
I am currently studying Environmental Science and Community Design at Dalhousie University. I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. My first act of activism was in the sixth grade, when my best friend and I contacted Monsanto asking them to please stop exploiting farmers and suing them when GM seeds blew onto their land. My passion for the environment and social justice, with a particular focus on food issues continued, and last year I helped start an Edible Campus Urban Container Garden to reclaim un-used concrete spaces on campus. I also helped start the Loaded Ladle, a student-run food cooperative on campus. I love to share my skills and teach others. I have coached youth soccer and Special Olympics nordic skiing. Last year I organized the Sierra Youth Coalition Youth Action Gathering for high school students in the Maritimes which was an inspiring experience. After attending PowerShift and a Greenpeace Climate Action Camp in 2009, I helped organize “Climate Mob Mondays” leading up to COP15 in Copenhagen and other direct actions in Halifax. I enjoy rock climbing, making medicines with local wild plants and going on canoe trips.
Jenna Gall. jenna@ourclimate.ca
Jenna is currently in her first year of studies at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. She is studying Earth and Environmental Sciences with emphasis in climate change and ecology. She is also a proud 2010 Weston Loran Scholar. Born and raised in the small farming community of Montmartre, Saskatchewan, Jenna has always been a passionate naturalist who sees the world through an environmental lens. She spends her free time running, hiking, kayaking, travelling, gardening, reading and working on the farm. She first became involved in environmental policy in 2009 when she was accepted to be a part of a Students on Ice Expedition to the Arctic and was inspired by travelling with informed youth, scientists and activists from all over the world. Upon her return, she created a Green Team environmental group in her high school. Later that year she travelled again with Students on Ice to Antarctica which once again fostered her passion for environmental issues. She then spent time working with the Canadian Youth Delegation’s ‘Home Team’ during COP15 and COP16, writing blogs and motivating Canadians to care about environmental policy. This summer she will be working as a climate policy analyst assistant for the Yukon Climate Change Secretariat in Whitehorse, YT.
Ekaterina Yakushina. ekaterina@ourclimate.ca
Having completed a Bachelor of Science (major in Biology), I continued studying at McGill University to obtain a Diploma in Environment. I have been acquainted with the theme of global climate change predominantly through scientific research, encompassing not only climate change and also biodiversity. For example, in one of my study projects, I have investigated how elevated levels of carbon dioxide affect the growth rates of invertebrates, rotifers. Aside from environmental studies, my interests include team sports (in particular, soccer and basketball), Russian martial art (Systema), dancing, and historical novels. In addition, I like to make compositions of herbs and flowers on paper and keep a journal listing their medicinal properties. Needless to say, I am fascinated to become a part of this awesome CYCC team and to contribute my skills and knowledge to achieving its goals.
Fun(d)raising Team
Lotus Yang. lotus@ourclimate.ca
Born and raised in Fushun, China, I immigrated to Canada at the age of 9, where I settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba with my parents. Currently in my second year of Bachelor of Science degree, I am majoring in honours biochemistry and plans to later pursue a career in medicine. During my high school years, other than leading a highly active music background where I taught piano and competed nationally, I was involved with student council and cultural groups to organize school wide events. Currently, I am dedicated to improving the pediatric and maternal health issues in the developing world, been the founder and president of the Foundation for the Medical Relief of Children at McGill, by raising awareness, fundraising and supporting FIMRC’s global health volunteer trip. Noticing the frequency of natural disasters in our media in recent years, current and future climate issues will only further increase that frequency unless we do something about it and I would really like to bring my passion and creativity to expose the seriousness of climate change that faces us today through working with CYCC. Some things that I enjoy are trying out recipes, staying active, exploring the unexplored and staying on trend.