Sault Ste. Marie’s Climathon: Building an environmentally sustainable, resilient and diverse Sault Ste. Marie
The Climate-KIC Climathon is a global 24-hour climate change event which will take place simultaneously in major cities around the world on 28 October 2016.
In Sault Ste. Marie the Climate-KIC Climathon will begin on the morning of the 28 October EDT and finish on the following day. It is organised by Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, Algoma University, SSM Chamber of Commerce, City of SSM, Sault College, and PUC to create new solutions to build an environmentally sustainable and resilient city.
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The Challenge
Some of the most distinct and immediate challenges for Sault Ste. Marie are around economic diversification/development and energy security. We hope that with the Climathon we can focus on particular issues around the economy, environment, education, energy, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, youth and agriculture, through collaboration and innovation.
As a Northern Ontario community, many of our needs and challenges are distinct from those in larger urban areas, and many other remote or Northern communities in Ontario and Canada can relate. The Sault’s representation in the Climathon will help drive engagement and encourage new ideas and opportunities for the Sault.
We are a US border town, rich in natural resources, alternative energy, and biodiversity; and we have a strong academic foundation in our local college and university; however, we continue to struggle as a traditionally industry town with a local steel plant continuously facing challenges.
We must diversify and become more resilient, and the best way to get there is by collaborating as a community and engaging those eager to create change and new opportunities out of adversity.
Pitching to expert judges
The Climathon event will culminate in presentation of each group’s idea in front of panel members who will provide valuable feedback. The panel is comprised of different science and business experts.
Partners
In collaboration with community partners including: Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, Algoma University, SSM Chamber of Commerce, City of SSM, Sault College, PUC, and more.
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