Beneath the Surface: Climate Clues from our Water Systems
Our lakes, oceans and marine life hold powerful clues about the state of our climate and the solutions we need. This month, Climate North brings together an exciting lineup who will dive deep into the intersection of climate science, conservation, and innovation. Come to learn, connect, and explore how what lies beneath the surface can shape what comes next.
Join us on Tuesday June 24th, from 5:30 PM to 8:15 PM for an evening that’s all about:
Innovative, off-grid recycling systems that are transforming ocean conservation
Aquatic ecosystems as both indicators and drivers of climate change
The story of the North Atlantic whale, and what it teaches us about the delicate balance between marine conservation, climate pressures, and human livelihoods
🌿 Event Schedule
5:30 PM – Doors Open + Meet and Greet
6:15 PM - Climate North Intro + Sponsor Welcome
6:35 PM - One Shoreline at a time
Ryan Hollinrake is the founder of EcoCycle Labs and a global leader in sustainability and social innovation, with a focus on scalable solutions to combat ocean plastic pollution. With over 17 years of nonprofit leadership, Ryan has developed and piloted off-grid recycling technologies in vulnerable coastal communities, aiming to advance circular economies and protect marine ecosystems. He is a passionate advocate for environmental justice and has been recognized with multiple global nominations, including the EarthShot Prize 3 years in a row.
This session examines the relationship between ocean plastic pollution and broader ocean conservation efforts, highlighting how decentralized, community-based recycling solutions can help protect marine ecosystems, support local livelihoods, and reduce the flow of plastic waste into our oceans.
7:05 PM - Charting Climate Change Through Aquatic Systems
Dr. Soren Brothers is the Allan and Helaine Shiff Curator of Climate Change at the Royal Ontario Museum, and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto. Soren will unpack his research for us which examines the effects of climate change on lakes, and how changes in aquatic systems can influence their greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. As a climate change curator, his work spans exhibition development, gallery work, public programming, and collections care, bridging natural, cultural, and artistic lenses through which the climate crisis and its solutions can be understood and communicated.
7:35 PM - Right whales, wrong time…. again
Dr Shiva Jian-Javdan is a Research Scientist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), and a Sessional Faculty Member/Lecturer with the University of Toronto and Trent University. For more than a decade, Shiva’s dedication to marine mammal science and conservation has led her to projects with NGOs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Greece. Since returning to Canada, Shiva has helped lead projects aimed at assessing the risk of entanglement from fishing gear to large whales in the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. In her talk “Right whales, wrong time…again,” Shiva will use the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale as a case study to explore the complex interactions between human activities and migratory marine mammals in an environment that cannot escape the impacts of climate change. Her talk will highlight the role that research, technological innovations, and community collaborations play in mitigating threats while sustaining livelihoods in an ever-changing marine environment.
8:15 PM - Close & drinks at Goodman Pub
Thank you to
Our sponsor Humi. Humi is Canada’s leading all-in-one HR, payroll, benefits and SR&ED built for growing businesses. Designed to simplify people operations, Humi helps companies manage the entire employee lifecycle - from hiring and onboarding to performance tracking and payroll processing - all in one place. With a user-friendly design and compliance focus, Humi empowers organizations to build better workplaces. Click here for an exclusive offer for the Climate North community!
Toronto Tech Week 2025
We are officially part of Toronto Tech Week 2025, a weeklong citywide collection of events to connect and celebrate the builders. June 23 → June 27, 2025 | torontotechweek.com
We can’t wait to spend the night with you and continue building this awesome community.
🌿 The Climate North Team
📸 Notice of Filming and Photography
When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to this recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction. Please let us know at the event if you prefer to be excluded from any content.