Creatives must play crucial role in driving meaningful action to address climate change

How can artists, designers and scholars help the world address the climate crisis? What role can creatives play in inspiring meaningful action? How can innovative design create a more sustainable and democratic world? 

These questions are at the heart of the panel discussion, Creative Climate Action through Art and Design, at this year’s DemocracyXChange Summit (#DXC23) on Saturday, March 25. 

The panel is being organized by OCAD University’s new Global Centre for Climate Action, a convener and incubator for creative approaches to challenging the climate crisis in ways that also focus on decolonization and social justice. The Centre’s participation at #DXC23 marks its formal launch within the community. 

“In a world desperate for solutions to the mounting issues facing the climate, the Global Centre for Climate Action is a place for interdisciplinary, creative and practice-oriented research focused on climate justice,” says Dr. Sarita Srivastava who is the Centre’s Director and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science at OCAD U. 

MEET THE PANEL

The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Srivastava, will highlight the crucial role artists, designers and scholars must play in meeting the intertwined needs of social justice and protecting our environment. Panel members will also examine sustainable design, climate justice, and youth activism, and share the hope and promise for tomorrow that they find in art, design and activism. 

Members of the panel include:

• Ranee Lee 郭恩琳: an Associate Professor of Industrial Design at OCAD U who has been teaching students on how to give back to the community through design. As the founder of DESIGNwith, she advances environmental and social sustainability, using design as a tool for disruption and response to the challenges facing our society;

• Kazmy Chi Muñoz: an architect, researcher and educator who specializes in morphology, form/finding and environmental design. She challenges designers to consider their impact on the preservation of life on Earth and find other uses of design to effect positive social change; and

• Aliénor (Allie) Rougeot: who fights for the climate and a just transition for workers and communities as a program manager with Environmental Defence Canada. As a co-founder of Fridays for Future Toronto, she mobilizes to demand climate justice and empowers youth to push for more sustainable future.

ABOUT THE GLOBAL CENTRE FOR CLIMATE ACTION

OCAD U’s  Global Centre for Climate Action is aligned with the University’s Academic and Strategic Plan and its priorities to pursue environmental sustainability; decolonize, Indigenize art and design education and advance equity; innovate learning, teaching and research; and emerge as a vibrant creative hub. In addition to cultivating a global network for climate justice, the Centre will also include physical and virtual sites for building cultural communities, creating arts projects, curating exhibitions and supporting creative action and research.

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