EDMONTON, Nov. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton, Alberta, is the first of Canada's Big City Mayors to participate in the #savethetoque campaign. Started by the Alberta-based company, The Carbon Farmer, this awareness campaign is designed to get Canadians to think about the impact climate change will have on them. And the national icons, like the toque, that we risk losing along the way.
While some Canadians may be tempted by the benefits of warmer temperatures, especially at this time of the year, it is really important to think about what that would really mean, not only to our economy and ecology, but also our national identity.
"There's an intrinsic value of living in the true north strong and free climate, which includes bundling up, and still risking frostbite, for multiple months of the year," says The Carbon Farmer co-founder Brad Rabiey. "Think about Canada without a classic Canadian winter. In Edmonton, for example, you have a celebrated WinterCity Strategy and cold weather is even part of the branding for the new downtown arena's ICE District," he adds.
The campaign's goal is to inspire as many Canadians as possible to participate by sharing a picture in their favourite toque as part of a #savethetoque social media post about the reasons they are advocating for, and actively taking steps towards, living with less carbon.
There's no catch. No email sign up form. And no cost. In fact, #savethetoque encourages you and all other participants to wear your favourite, trusty ol' toque as opposed to buying a new one.
When asked why he has chosen to participate, Mayor Iveson noted that, "There is an Indigenous teaching, known as the Seventh Generation Principle, and it teaches us to consider how our decisions will impact seven generations into the future. I think we can all take a lot away from that teaching and apply it where we can."
A new proud toque-wearing Canadian climate change leader will be announced on savethetoque.ca on each of the 21 days leading up to the conclusion of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), which is scheduled to end on December 11, 2015.
SOURCE The Carbon Farmer Inc.
Image with caption: "Mayor Don Iveson standing on guard for thee Canadian icon of the toque. (CNW Group/The Carbon Farmer Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151126_C1144_PHOTO_EN_553854.jpg
Brad Rabiey, Co-Founder, 780.624.3193, [email protected]
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