So, a little bit about what the heck this festival is about … this will be about a celebration of sustainability solutions, human social ingenuity and creativity. Our goal is to inspire you to become a part of the sustainability revolution. We welcome you to the growing movement of people who are redefining human progress, development and culture. We hope to wet your appetite for sustainability solutions, lifestyle changes that lighten your impact and the love of continuous learning. Join us in our efforts to leverage the unique environment, expertise and tools of the university to create great social change in a fun and playful context.

The SFU Sustainability Festival 2007 is a collaborative event organized by the Climate Change Action Group, Sustainable SFU and the Resource and Environmental Management graduate student union. The festival is intended to raise awareness of sustainability issues with a specific focus on climate change and to celebrate sustainability solutions that individuals can immediately apply to their daily lives. This festival has a positive and playful focus, which is intended to inspire, engage and entertain SFU community members. Climate Change is a complex and sometimes terrifying concept that can have a paralyzing effect on many people. This effect on a societal or community level leads to a dangerous form of collective procrastination on the development and implementation of climate change mitigation solutions. This festival will focus on reducing the complexities of the climate change problem, inspiring people to celebrate and integrate solutions into their daily lives and empowering them to make this step by providing them with tools and resources.

Education and Entertainment

An eco-fashion show designed to creatively display low impact fashion choices that are both affordable and desirable.

Live stage performance featuring local SFU and Vancouver bands, DJ’s and artists.

A locally based microbrewery beer garden where festival attendees can relax, enjoy a beverage and socialize with community members.

A marketplace displaying sustainable products and services available to SFU community members to purchase on site. This marketplace will also feature a ‘freecycle’ exchange where participants can drop off for exchange and walk away with clothing and other household items free of charge to encourage a spirit of ‘reuse.’

A learning exchange centre where educational booths will facilitate the exchange of information on sustainability solutions, resources, networks, partnerships, programs, and avenues for individual involvement in both volunteer and paid work opportunities on campus. Participants will be encouraged to both learn from and contribute to each learning booth through interactive visioning activities, contests, quizzes and knowledge transfer stations.

A sustainability pledge where community members can learn about how they can make a difference and pledge to integrate these solutions into their lifestyles. Pledge participants will receive a pledge postcard with a checklist of the actions they committed to, which can be placed on their fridge or bulletin board at home as a friendly reminder. Each participant will also have an opportunity to add to the list of solutions and contribute their own personal actions for others to learn from.