From the Organizers:
Joan Simalchik researches the impact of climate change on women. People worldwide are displaced due to climate change, and 50 million could be in the next decade. Environmental catastrophe and gender are not recognized as a reason for refugee protection by the United Nations. How are women taking up this challenge? What preparations, including Canadian ones, are being made?

b.h. Yael will screen Trading the Future, a video essay questioning the politics of the idea of an environmental apocalypse, the symbolism of death and the growth of the market place. She proposes alternatives in the idea of natality, the productivity of biodiversity and the agency of everyday activism.

Liz’s Comments: I’ve gone to this event 2x and had a great time. (Don’t wait until 4 to arraive as this is a popular event and food can run out by 4pm) .

Description from Organizer:
Do you have an uncontrollable sweet tooth? Interested in treats that are completely animal friendly? Then you’ll love the Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake-off brought to you by the Toronto Vegetarian Association. Samples dozens of cakes, cookies, tarts and more, some baked traditionally and some using gluten-free and raw ingredients. Enjoy baked goods made by Toronto’s professionals as our celebrity judge (Doug McNish) decides who takes the top prize. You won’t want to miss this absolutely delicious event!

Info from Planet In Focus organizers:
Directed by: Mark MacInnis | 93 minutes | USA | English | Rated G |
Against a sprawling backdrop of boarded-up shops, empty lots and defunct factories, seeds of change have taken root in Motor City. Directed by Detroit-native Mark MacInnis and produced by The 11th Hour’s Leila Conners, Urban Roots looks at the social, economic and environmental factors—as well as the dedicated residents—that cultivated an urban farming revolution amid the debris of America’s collapsed automotive powerhouse.
A testament to the power of grassroots transformation, Urban Roots tells a compelling story about claiming independence from our reliance on commercial industries.
Join us for provocative and entertaining Canadian and international films about the state of our planet at the NFB’s theatre at the corner of Richmond and John Street. All screenings will be followed by a discussion. Screenings will take place the first Wednesday of every month at the NFB Mediatheque (150 John Street, Toronto).
Brought to you by Planet in Focus, Canada’s leading environmental media arts organization and the National Film Board of Canada, breaking ground in interactive works, social-issue documentaries, auteur animation and alternative dramas for over 70 years.

From the organizers:
USC Canada presents an inspiring evening with the visionary author of the ground-breaking Diet for a Small Planet (1971), Frances Moore Lappé.

Based on her new book, EcoMind, Lappé confronts our current myths about markets, food, and environmental issues, challenging us to change the way we think so we can create the world we want.

Date: Friday, January 27, 2012 from 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Another Story Bookshop, 315 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto

Description from Organizers:

You are invited to a Book Launch and Book Signing with Award Winning Author Clare Walker Leslie whose newest book “The Nature Connection” was published in 2010 and won a 2011 Teachers Choice Award.

Clare will be talking about her book and how parents and educators can help build a deeper connection to nature with children of all ages. She will also be leading two workshops at the High Park Nature Centre on January 28th & 29th.

Clare Walker Leslie has taught at Williams College, Harvard’s Landscape Design Program, College of the Atlantic, Antioch New England, and many Audubon Centers and is a member of the National Guild of Scientific Illustrators. She has taught Nature Drawing and the Nature Journal Clare has written 11 books, the latest being The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms. Please see www.clarewalkerleslie.com

This is Clare Walker Leslies’ first time doing workshops and speaking engagements in Toronto.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUcYEOE7feM

Description from Organizers:
This month Joe Oliver sided with big oil, characterizing concerned communities and individuals who have signed up to take part in the democratic hearings in place to examine the controversial Enbridge Tar Sands pipeline as boogeymen. In reality over 4,000 people are registered to speak, 79 per cent of which are residents of British Columbia.

This disrespect for democracy and Joe Oliver’s preferential treatment of Big Oil marked the beginning of the marriage between Joe Oliver, Enbridge, Exxon, Shell, Total, and British Petroleum (BP).

On Friday, January 27th, at 11am concerned individuals along with Greenpeace and Council of Canadians will offer Joe Oliver a marriage reception to commemorate the union of the Conservative Government and Big Oil, following his talk at a business luncheon at the Sutton place Hotel.

You are invited to the reception! Come tell Joe Oliver that you oppose his marriage with Big Oil. Bring any anti Enbridge, anti pipeline, anti tanker, or anti tar sands signs, placards, or banners you may have!

SEE YOU AT THE CORNER OF WELLESLY AND BAY AT 11AM! Please dress warm

Read Joe Oliver’s open letter here:

http://​business.financialpost.com/​2012/01/09/​joe-olivers-open-letter-the​-regulatory-system-is-brok​en/?__lsa=cf46a754

Read response from Dene Nation:

http://www.ienearth.org/​news/​minister-oliver-misinformed​-on-northern-gatweay-pipel​ine.html

Response from Sierra Club’s John Bennet:

http://www.sierraclub.ca/​en/tar-sands/media/release/​open-letter-response-joe-ol​iver%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cop​en-letter%E2%80%9D

Response from Greenpeace’s Christine Leclerc:

http://www.greenpeace.org/​canada/en/Blog/​an-open-letter-to-natural-r​esources-minister-/blog/​38590/

From the Organizer:
An activist culture that emphasizes passion and unwavering commitment can be alienating to those members who have lost some of that initial spark. This workshop aims to break down the stigma surrounding activist burnout, offer some constructive solutions for how to get back from the brink of burnout, and tips how to prevent it in yourself and members of your group.

Trainer: Angela Bischoff is the Outreach Director for the Ontario Clean Air Alliance.

From the organizers:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1109114–natural-cities-on-an-urban-planet
A description of the book can be found at:

http://www.utppublishing.com/The-Natural-City-Re-envisioning-the-Built-Environment.html

Description from Organizers:
Toronto Climate Campaign is inviting reps from various climate action groups, organizations, to attend a Climate Action Roundtable. We would like to hear about the different events and actions planned for 2012 by the different groups working on climate issues (in Toronto, in Ontario, in Canada, internationally) so that we can work most effectively together to press for change. We hope that can be represented.