Events

Do you have an event that you think the HVS might be interested in? Or perhaps you're looking for us to sponsor something? Don't hesitate in getting in contact with us! We'd love to talk about any event that helps spread the word on both environmental and vegetarian issues.

The Age of Stupid: Movie Presentation

It was a packed auditorium for the premier screening of Age of Stupid at Westdale Secondary School. Almost a thousand able bodied citizens concerned with environmental sustainability crammed into the lecture hall to witness a profound and important film about the dangers of climate change. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and the crowd was resiliently energetic: David Suzuki was in attendance.

Presented by Students Bridging Borders, a non-profit environmental organization comprised of compassionate and caring students at Westdale Secondary, the event hosted the Hamilton premier of Age of Stupid, a Sci-Fi into the future look of what the world would be like if humanity failed to over come climate change. The distinguished guest of the evening was none other than environmental superstar David Suzuki.

“I knew once Suzuki was involved we would attract a good audience,” said event organizer Geoff Orton. “We basically had to go from nothing…a lot of quick thinking,” he later mentioned. Geoff was absolutely right, there wasn’t an empty seat in the house. The movie itself was extremely eye opening. The film, which has been critically acclaimed, presented the problems of our society’s current infatuation with unsustainability, inequality and misinformation. A particular sequence in the film was extremely powerful. The scene followed a group of locals in a rural town that protested the development of sustainable and efficient wind generators simply because the wind mills would “ruin their view.” The “not in my back yard” mentality, which was a particular running theme throughout the film, was extremely concerning.

After the filmed had concluded, to the delight of the crowd, David Suzuki took to the stage for a question and answer period. Much to everyone’s surprise, Mr. Suzuki went right into speech. The highlight of the night was certainly hearing David Suzuki speak. You could sense his frustrations, his high hopes, and his disdain over the Canadian government’s role in climate change. His words were truly inspiring, riveting and emphatic. The crowd clapped and cheered, followed and revered every word he spoke that night. The theater and its patrons where absolutely enthralled with David Suzuki throughout the evening. “I got a kick out of his frank manor…and [his] passion for environmental issues,” said Emil Gadjanski, assistant coordinator to the event.

Beyond the screening of Age of Stupid and the collaborative efforts of all those involved, the event raised a considerable amount of funds for the non-profit, environmental and social group Students Bridging Borders. Mr. Orton, director of the SBB, and his colleague, Mr. Gadjanski, both went on to say:

“We will use the funds for various projects in environmental and social justice. We're still tallying, but we are supporting a number of causes immediately; a sustainable orphanage project in Kikima, Kenya; Kiva third world microloans; a giant food drive at Westdale secondary; the Stephen Lewis project for fighting AIDS in Africa; and more.”

Of course, the evening would not have been possible if it were not for the dedication and support of the all students who took part during the event. Their efforts brought about a truly inspiring evening that will go on producing positive change around the world for years to come. Events like the Age of Stupid shows how Hamilton is taking action on both a local and international level: by proactively evoking change towards a more sustainable and just world through education and community interaction.