| Karen Keller is among six young Calgarians calling themselves Heady Ideas, who’ve put together a new kind of public discussion focused on Kyoto. The forum, involving three experts on environmental issues will take place at Broken City Social Club on April 16. "Pubs have always been places that people gather to exchange ideas," says Keller.
While many other 20 and 30-somethings are gallivanting around the globe, buying stuff and climbing the corporate ladder, Keller felt it was important to take the time to organize this forum. She asserts, "passivity is just boring — it’s actually far more interesting to be aware of important issues and to know what’s going on in the world around you."
She says the forum is going to be a place where people can get the facts about Kyoto, how regulations could affect the Alberta economy and discuss the issues in the company of people who know the most about them.
"I think sometimes people are either too intimidated or too passive to ask the questions," says Keller, "or are just not given the opportunity to do so. We want to help change that." Attendees can expect background information on the issues and political, scientific and industry perspectives and will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the event’s assembled panel.
The forum isn’t going to be stiff or overly structured. With beer, food and a short performance by local songwriter and musician Kris Demeanor, this gathering will be lively. Keller is committed to making the forum accessible and appealing to a broad audience. "This is a broad-perspective forum – we're not trying to shove an agenda down anyone’s throat."
Although some politicians like the Honourable Ted Morton, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development, declined to participate in the discussion, the forum still features influential decision-makers. Guest speakers include Jaisel Vadgama, policy analyst and senior assistant to the executive director of the Pembina Institute; Brian Pincott, NDP candidate for Calgary Centre and co-founder and current vice-chair of the Calgary chapter of the Sierra Club of Canada; and Dave Ebner, business reporter for the Globe and Mail.
Keller and her group noticed confusion and a certain amount of fear amongst Calgarians about environmental regulation. She also worries that in the midst of our city’s economic boom, it’s all too easy to become passive about important issues. She wants to see Calgarians get more active.
"There’s a real need for all people, not just youth, to feel more comfortable to approach the people in power with their concerns and questions. There is a big need for debate. People need to be more active in filtering and understanding the information they’re fed by the media and politicians.
"We want everyone to leave the forum with the sense that big issues such as this are not bigger than they are – these issues affect all of us and that dividing line between the powers that be and the average person needs to be crossed more regularly and freely."
Keller wants people to understand that their daily choices have impacts on the environment and that everyone has the power to create change. "You don't have to be a total tree-hugging activist to engage in environmentally responsible behaviour."
Check out Alberta & Kyoto — Like Oil and Water? on Monday April 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Broken City Social Club, 613 — 11 Avenue SW. The forum will also be broadcast live on CJSW 90.9FM. |
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