Plug Out – Tune In
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Updated: November 20, 2009 5:03 PM
Abbotsford Collegiate student Alexandria Mitchell wants to get the community of Abbotsford powered up over the issue of global warming.
The Grade 12 student has been invited as a youth delegate to attend the COP 15 United Nations Climate Conference Dec. 7 to 18 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In advance of her trip, she’s organized a town hall meeting at the University of Fraser Valley to get Abbotsford residents involved in the issue of global warming.
The event, titled Plug Out – Tune In, will focus on climate change and the role Canadians can play in the international problem.
“I want to get people turning down our power usage and tuning in to the issues,” said Mitchell. “It will be an opportunity to attract people who may not be so active in environmental issues, and give them an opportunity to take part in the discussion.”
University of British Columbia Professor Dr. William Rees, the originator of the “ecological footprint” concept, is keynote speaker.
UFV Professor Dr. Tim Cooper and Abbotsford Coun. Patricia Ross are also presenting.
Mitchell, 16, said her passion for the environment stems from her middle school days when she did a project around recycling after discovering the school district didn’t have a program in place.
The COP 15 conference is bound to bring together a wide variety of individuals committed to a common goal, said Mitchell.
“It will be a hot spot for political activity. But the politics are irrelevant because (climate change) is an issue that has no boundaries.”
However, the real work will happen before and after the conference, she said.
“I want to broaden the discussion around climate change.”
To do so, Mitchell has set up a blog and website, and a Facebook page for those who want to “tune into” her adventures at the conference.
The Plug Out - Tune In meeting takes place Wednesday Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at UFV, 33844 King Road.
To check out Mitchell’s blog visit http://plugout-tunein.blogspot.com/
