Keynote

Presented by: Derek Forgie

Bio: Actor, comedian and activist Derek Forgie is a remarkable plate-spinner. (metaphorically, of course) When he’s not entertaining the daily in-studio audiences at MTV Canada he somehow manages to balance a hearty diet of stand-up comedy, activism and popping up in the occasional television commercial. If you were to add up every time he’s been a: keynote speaker, warm-up act, DJ, comic, emcee, host, and actor, in front of a crowd, it adds up to a staggering 1800+ different audiences before the age of 30.
Description: Discussion about water and its surrounding issues.

 

Workshop 1: Virtual Water

Presented by: Sebastian Basualto, OCT

Bio: Sebastian Basualto has been working with

Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) for over 3 years as a member of the

Outreach Education team. He is an Ontario Certified Teacher and has a passion

for teaching students the importance of protecting their environment. Part of his

role as an Instructor is to deliver nature-themed programs to schools in the greater

Toronto area. Sebastian also coordinates the Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) program

which allows high school students from York Region and Peel Region to volunteer

their time with the TRCA during the summer.

Workshop Description: The true amount of water used in the production of

products is often not known to consumers. Through discussion and the creation of

a water trail, students learn about the water embedded in energy use, the clothes

they wear and the food they eat.

 

Workshop 2: Polar Sustainability

Presented by: Robert Adragna

Workshop Description:  He will be discussing the most dramatic effect of climate change on

the world’s polar regions - the melting of the icecaps. The class will analyze how these ice

caps melt, how quickly they are currently melting and the effects of their thaw on our

climate and world. In addition, he will be drawing on his personal experiences in the

Antarctic to discuss a fundamental yet often overlooked reason why we should all be

motivated to help stop climate change - the preservation our planet’s natural beauty.​

 

Workshop 3: Being Smart About Water
Presented by: Presented By: Garth Cole
Bio: A well-known educator of environmental issues, and promoter of environmental stewardship with over 26 years of experience in Community Outreach and Public Education for various municipal governments.
Workshop Description: An interactive discussion about being smart with efficiency, inside and outside the home, protective measures, retaining quality and our impact on the community environment; with the goal to attain a common sense approach to best practices and respect for our water.

 

Workshop 4: Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment in the City of Toronto

Presented by: Daniel Hsia

Bio: An environmental engineer-in-training and water consultant who administers Toronto Water's efficiency programs for industrial, commercial, and institutional clients. He has designed numerous drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, and worked in various parts of Canada for private industry, and federal and municipal governments.

Workshop Description: Understand the processes Toronto Water uses to transform raw water into safe drinking water, and the systems that are utilized to treat wastewater before returning it to a water body; with this behind the scenes look at the complex world of water science.

List of Materials Required for Workshop: Projector (with HDMI connection), and Screen (or a suitable surface).

 

Workshop 5: Development and Peace

Presented by: Luke Stocking

Bio: Luke Stockings works for CCODP, providing pro-visions of emergency relief, sustainable long term development, and edu-cation and action in Canada.
Workshop Description: In this workshop, he will explore how the effects of climate change have a rippling effect across all areas of society.

 

Workshop 6: Water Myths

Presented By: Stephen Stockton

Bio: Stephen Stockton, PhD and Professor of Environmental Science

Workshop Description: A presentation 3 common myths about water: 1) Canada's water abundance, 2) H2O is a non-depletable renewable resource, 3) water and land are separate places.

 

Workshop 7: Great Lakes Ontario

Presented by: Ruth Grier
Bio: Ruth Grier is a representative of CCFEW (Citizens Concerned about the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront), a community group that organises regular bird walks in Col. Sam Smith Park and collaborates with Humber College Arboretum to run nature programmes in the park for elementary schools.
Workshop Description: Father Redmond is a school beside a park that borders one of the Great Lakes. The park contains a large storm sewer outlet to Lake Ontario and next door is a drinking water treatment plant. The park has recently been designated an Environmentally Sensitive Area by the City. This workshop will discuss the following questions: What does this mean and what can we do to protect this special place? What does this mean for individual residents and why does it matter?

 

Workshop 8: Water and Technology

Presented by: Steve Byrne

Bio: The Green4Good program is an IT asset disposition solution that effectively eliminates the environmental impact of a business function that is critical to virtually every organization – the disposition of end-of-life IT assets – thus contributing to an organization’s ‘sustainable IT’ goals, while at the same time turning the net residual value of decommissioned IT assets into assistance for charitable organizations.

Workshop Description: Students will explore the relationship between water and the ever evolving world of technology

 

Workshop 9: Water Testing

Presented by: Daniel Dalessandr
Bio: Daniel attended Chaminade College School from 2005-2009, where he was an active member in the Eco Club. One of their main initiatives was in the clean-up and re-introduction of Rainbow Trout populations in the Humber River. Afterwards he completed his B.Sc and M.Sc in Chemistry at U of T and is currently enrolled in the Master's of Teaching program.
Workshop Description: Students will test different sample of water to compare water quality and bring awareness to this issue.