.png)
With existing technologies and methods to capture carbon and eliminate emissions, we can reach ‘drawdown’, the point in time when the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere starts to decline. We have all the solutions we need to solve the crisis while also producing jobs, improving health, saving money, eliminating hunger and preventing pollution. Climate solutions are key to protecting and regenerating the natural resources of our one planet, and rebuilding our relationship with the systems that sustain all life on Earth.
The Countdown speakers shared stories about solutions already at work to reverse global warming across a range of issues, including retrofitting buildings, active transportation, food waste and the new green economy. Through the insights of our speakers, we seek to foster learning, inspiration and wonder – and provoke conversations that matter.
Regenerating Toronto held and coproduced a TEDx event in 2020, Countdown to a new Decade. In collaboration with ClimateFast, Green Neighbours Network and Transition Toronto, RegenTO engaged a diverse array of leading speakers to explore solutions to climate change. This event was combined with the annual Ecofair Toronto, and was introduced as part of Countdown, a global initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis.
We are grateful to our terrific speakers, thanks to: Dr. Dianne Sax, Elizabeth Bagley, Dr. Toni Sappon, Dr. Tomislav Svoboda, Sayan Sivanesan, Sheena Sharp, Leslie Solomonian, Carolynne Crawley, Jon Love and Ayesha Khan.
Dr. Dianne Saxe is one of Canada’s most respected environmental lawyers, and was the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario 2015 to 2019. She was appointed unanimously by all MPPs to report to the Legislature on Ontario’s environmental, energy and climate performance, and to be the guardian of the Environmental Bill of Rights. Now heading SaxeFacts Law Professional Corporation, providing legal and strategic inspiration and direction on climate, energy and environment. Substantial board experience.
Elizabeth Bagley is Director of Drawdown Learn at Project Drawdown, where she connects people with climate change solutions, creating relevant, researched, and relatable initiatives that inspire audiences to take action to help people and the planet thrive together
Dr. Sappong is a community family physician based in Toronto, passionate about environmental and social justice. She is the co-founder of PlasticFree Toronto, an educational platform devoted to environmental sustainability, climate justice, and community resilience.
Tomislav Svoboda MD is an Associate Professor, Family Physician and Public Health Specialist in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Toronto. His clinical work has focused on providing primary care based mental health and addictions care for those who are homeless. His environmental work includes studying and practicing sustainably low GHG emission lifestyles. He enjoys a whole food vegan diet and has not been in a car or plane for more than 12 years.
Sayan is the Project Coordinator for TEA’s Zero Waste High Rise Project. He works with high-rise buildings across Toronto to measure their waste output, as well as develop and implement custom waste reduction plans. Before coming to TEA, Sayan worked with Futurpreneur Canada to design and scale national programs to support young entrepreneurs.
Sheena Sharp is a Licensed architect, and a fellow of Architecture Canada (RAIC). She is the principal at Coolearth Architecture inc., located in Toronto, which specializes in low carbon design. She serves a Chair of the Ontario Association of Architects Building Committee which has just completed a Net Zero renovation of their headquarters building, preserving the structure and appearance of the building while refreshing the interiors. Her firm co-designed the City of Toronto Mount Dennis Childcare which is aiming to be Net Zero Carbon and has a low embodied carbon footprint. It is srtating construction at 1234 Weston Road.
Leslie Solomonian is a human, a woman, a mother, a Unitarian-Universalist, a naturopathic doctor and a rebel who seeks to help individuals, communities and the planet reach their fullest potential.
Carolynne Crawley is a Mi’kmaw woman with both African and Irish ancestry. She is founder of Msit No’kmaq (“All My Relations”) which supports people in reconnecting with the land and themselves through land-based workshops, walks and retreats. She is also a member of the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle in Tkaronto/Toronto. For the past decade, Carolynne worked with one of Canada’s largest food security organizations, building school food gardens and developing curriculum-linked food literacy workshops.
Jon Love is active in the movement for a just, sustainable, thriving world for all. He has worked with the Pachamama Alliance, the Hunger Project, and most recently with Drawdown Toronto.
Ayesha Khan is a York University Environmental Studies student and local activist based in Toronto’s Jane-Finch community. She works for the City of Toronto and is the Digital Communications Manager for the local progressive paper, the Downsview Advocate, along with involvement in various charity organizations and initiatives. After flying to South Africa to care for rehabilitated monkeys, Ayesha’s love for the environment was awakened. She has a vision for the future in which humans and nature live in harmony through woman-focused practices and Indigenous forms of knowledge. She dreams of reawakening the ancient spirit of the Commons in humans’ collective consciousness.
