Suzuki set to be part of EcoShift in Winnipeg

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/09/2010 (5799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

David Suzuki says that local communities are crucial in the fight against our planet’s “ecological holocaust.”

The iconic academic, broadcaster and environmental activist will be in Winnipeg on Sept. 26 as part of a community celebration of green living.

The forum will be a perfect opportunity to speak about how powerful local communities can be in preserving the planet, he said.

“I really think that local communities will be at the heart of the solution to issues like climate change and the collapse of the oceans, because these are issues that confront every one of us,” Suzuki said via telephone from Vancouver.

“If we don’t change our ways, there’s going to be an ecological holocaust — no question about it”
Suzuki, 74, will be speaking at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue at 561 Wellington Cres. at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26. His appearance will mark the end an event entitled EcoShift.

EcoShift is the brainchild of husband-and-wife Winnipeggers Sarah Allentuck Secter, 27, and Dov Secter, 33. Both are members of J-PEG — the young leadership division of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. The event is billed as a community-wide celebration of living green.

Organized by J-PEG’s environmental awareness committee and supported by local businesses and sponsors, EcoShift will be a full day dedicated to raising awareness of ecological sustainability within the Jewish and general Winnipeg communities.

“Our motivations in creating this event are two-fold,” Allentuck Secter said.

“Firstly, we want to encourage environmental responsibility among individuals and families in our community. Secondly, we want to encourage the Jewish non-profit organizations to adopt green policies. With the event, we’re hoping for short-term impact and long-term gain.”

The daytime portion of EcoShift will be held between 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Asper Jewish Community Campus, located at 123 Doncaster St. in Tuxedo.

Allentuck Secter said there will be plenty of green-themed activities for families to enjoy, including a green vendor showcase, children’s activities and lawn care and water conservation workshops.

Visitors can also expect to find an e-waste drop-off for unwanted electronic items, an organic farmers’ market and lots of green giveaways.

Allentuck said that despite its roots in the Jewish community, everyone is welcome to attend the event.

“My husband has always said that we can all become leaders of environmental responsibility. In this respect, we’re all one community, regardless of culture, ethics or demographics,” she said.

“We just hope it will motivate people to adopt more environmentally responsible practices in their daily lives and understand the role that each individual plays in impacting the earth and our survival.”

Allentuck Secter, a River Heights resident, said she never dreamed of landing someone of Suzuki’s calibre to speak at the event.

“Our committee of volunteers wanted a big-name speaker, so we drew up a shortlist. We decided he would be a big draw and someone that might attract people that wouldn’t normally be environmentally responsible. We’re privileged to welcome David Suzuki to our event,” she said.

Suzuki emphasized the importance of working together to go green.

“Local communities are going to have to be much more self-sufficient. We’ve got to grow much more of our own food where we live. We can’t go on importing food at such a great cost,” Suzuki said.

Tickets for EcoShift are available at www.eco-shift.ca or by calling JFW at 477-7407 or Shaarey Zedek Synagogue at 452-3711.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com