Young and old alike, whether they liked it or not, were all suddenly force into using online platforms like Zoom, Skype, Teams and FaceTime to connect with colleagues, family and friends.  It is our new normal.  My 68-year-old Mom just had her first Zoom meeting last week, and if she can do it, I swear anyone can (I love you, Mom!).   For me, utilizing online platforms to attend events and meeting was not new, but living in a pandemic, they have provided connections and the sense of community that I have been missing so much. 

As a Sustainability Professional working in Kingston and surrounding communities for the past 10+ years, I have looked forward to attending the Kingston Climate Change Symposium each year.  It has given me an opportunity connect peers, share solutions and highlight successes in tackling the climate crisis locally and globally.   It is also very much a celebration.  A celebration of our local achievement and passionate people being the change we need to be.  While we will not be gathering in person this year, we will still gather as a community to celebrate, share and listen to folks working on the front lines to make deep and lasting change in our country and community. 

Now to age myself; it was 1992 and 13-year-old me, heard then 12 year-old Severn Suzuki speak at the Rio Earth Summit.  She spoke the words I had thought a 1000 times before, and still think today.  It was a powerful moment seeing a young person, like me, speaking with conviction about an issue I felt so powerfully about too.  I have no doubt that her keynote speech on January 14, 2021 will be another powerful moment for me, and every other person able to attend The 2021 Kingston Climate Change Symposium