2025 Kingston Climate Change Symposium

Join us for the 2025 Kingston Climate Change Symposium, presented by the City of Kingston and Sustainable Kingston, and get ready to be inspired by our remarkable lineup of speakers.

Our keynote address will be delivered by Autumn Peltier, an Indigenous Rights & Water activist whose journey for justice has made waves around the globe. Ali Hassan, the dynamic and engaging host of CBC's Laugh out Loud and moderator of Canada Reads, will once again return as our event host. The full speaker lineup, including panelists, is to be determined.

Under the theme "Rooted in Action: Empowering Youth to Build a Sustainable Future," the 2025 Symposium is set to be an inspiring event highlighting youth-led climate action, bringing together passionate young leaders, environmental advocates, educators and community members for engaging dialogue on climate solutions driven by youth.

During breaks and after the symposium, you'll also have the chance to connect with local environmental groups and city leaders at our small exhibit located at Kingston Grand Theatre.

This signature event is all about sparking action, showcasing the latest progress in community-driven climate projects, enhancing our local community connections and nurturing new ones.

2025 Kingston Climate Change Symposium: Speakers

Ali Hassan – Returning for a fourth time to host the Climate Change Symposium, Ali is the host of Canada Reads and a best-selling author and broadcaster.

Autumn Peltier - Amongst her many accolades, Autumn has appeared as a featured speaker at the World Economic Forum sharing the stage with Greta Thunberg, been selected as the runner-up for the 2022 International Children’s Peace Prize with the Novel Peace Prize committee and continues to travel the international stage speaking about Indigenous rights, inclusion, representation and collaboration all while inspiring the next generation.

Lilah Williamson - Lilah Williamson is an award-winning climate activist, community organizer and advocate for youth engagement. She co-founded both Sustainabiliteens, a Vancouver-based youth climate organization, and Climate Strike Canada, a national network of youth climate groups. Lilah co-organized the September 27th climate strike, which was the largest protest in Vancouver’s history and mobilized over a million people across the country.

Arts and Climate Change Panel: We're also proud to present our Arts and Climate Change Panel featuring Youth Imagine the Future organizer Jerri Jerreat, theatre creator and Queen's DAN School of Drama and Music faculty Joe Pagnan, award-winning dancer and choreographer Colleen Snell and artist and costume designer Noelle Hamlyn. Lauren Desroches, Communications Officer with the City of Kingston, will moderate the panel.

Sustainable Kingston wishes to make the 2025 Kingston Climate Change Symposium as accessible as possible. We have put aside some free tickets for individuals for whom cost is a barrier to attending the event, as well as for school groups. If you would like to secure a free ticket for yourself or your class, please contact Geoff Hendry by emailing Geoff@SustainableKingston.com.

• Thanks to the generosity of Kingston Transit, attendees can enjoy complimentary transit to and from the venue. Simply show your ticket and ride for free!
• Let’s keep this event waste-free! Please bring your reusable water bottle.
• This event is made possible thanks to the support and generosity of event partners Rotary Clubs of Kingston and Gananoque, and event sponsors: Queen's University, Greenscale, McDougall Insurance and St. Lawrence College.