We are excited to announce Nanaimo Climate Connections 2025 — Nanaimo’s inaugural community climate event, hosted by Nanaimo Climate Action Hub, which will take place at Wellington Hall in Nanaimo, Sept. 12th and 13th, 2025!
This year’s theme is: Local Actions in a Global Crisis. Together, we will explore how collectively we can affect significant impact toward addressing the climate emergency.
Planning is well-underway! Watch this space as we announce new speakers and workshop topics to what will be a jam-packed agenda of inspiring solutions and actions. Registration will open soon!
Volunteer for Nanaimo Climate Connections 2025!
Sign up soon to exhibit at our Community Solutions Fair !
Be a sponsor! Email us at nanaimoclimateaction@gmail.com for more information!
Speaker Line-Up (more TBA!):
Seth Klein, Keynote Speaker
Seth is the Team Lead and Director of Strategy with the Climate Emergency Unit. Prior to that, he served for 22 years as the founding director of the British Columbia office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), a social justice think tank. He is now a freelance policy consultant, speaker, researcher and writer, and author of A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency. Seth is a regular columnist with Canada’s National Observer, an adjunct professor with Simon Fraser University’s Urban Studies program, and serves on the board of the BC Society for Policy Solutions.
Geraldine Manson, Speaker
In her role as a VIU Elder-in-Residence, Geraldine shares her Traditional Knowledge, working directly with students and Faculty/Professors in Health and Human Services programs at VIU and the Shq’apthut/Gathering Place. Geraldine is a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and is married to Earl Manson. She has worked for her community since 1980 and credits her cultural wisdom and education to her Elders, present, and Elders who have passed on. As the Elders’ Coordinator for Snuneymuxw First Nation, she carries many other responsibilities that relate to culture and traditions in the community. Geraldine served 12 years as an elected council-member and continues to be mentored in the traditional cultural practices of the Snuneymuxw people.
Chloë Fraser, Speaker
Chloë Fraser is a storyteller, communications strategist, and facilitator committed to driving impactful community action across Canada, and currently works in communications at the Pacific Salmon Foundation, where she translates critical fish and climate science into stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Chloë has taught an accredited storytelling course at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and led dozens of workshops on climate communications. Chloë was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Under 25 Environmental Leaders and was featured among the National Observer’s climate leaders column. She holds a BA in Economics, Law, and Ethics from Sciences Po Paris and a degree in International Relations and Creative Writing from UBC.
Dr. Deb Morrison, Speaker
Dr. Deb L. Morrison fosters communication and learning at the intersection of climate science, sustainability, and learning sciences through research-practice-policy partnerships. She works to iteratively understand complex socio-ecological systems through design-based and action-oriented research while at the same time seeking to improve human-environment relationships and sustainability. Deb is a well-published author on diverse topics, an experienced facilitator of convenings across communities of practice, and an experienced public speaker.
Andrew Gage, Speaker
Andrew (he/him/his) was an environmental activist before he was an environmental lawyer: he was accepted into law school shortly after being arrested for protesting logging in Clayoquot Sound, on Vancouver Island’s West Coast. During law school Andrew helped found the University of Victoria’s Environmental Law Centre. Andrew is currently project lead for West Coast's Climate Change program. Under his direction the program has focused on the legal and professional consequences – to industry, government and professionals – of failing to address climate change. We’re excited Andrew is joining us!
David Quigg, Speaker
In his Organizer role at Sierra Club B.C., David invites all to consider their role in this all-hands-on-deck moment for life and the multi-generational responsibilities we have to each other and the more than human world. He believes that our only limit is our imagination, and he works closely with SCBC Local Leaders to re-imagine a better world designed for healing, climate-cooling, and growing deeper roots of inter-connection with all life. As a settler, he recognizes his responsibility to listen and learn from the Indigenous peoples of these lands and waters. He acknowledges that the roots of the climate and biodiversity crises are planted in colonization and solutions lie in decolonization and supporting Indigenous-led pathways.
Elise Boulanger, Musical Guest
Elise Boulanger is a sweet darkness wrapped in orchestral instrumentation. Hailing from Nanaimo (Snuneymuxw), this Chamber-Folk-Pop artist completely captivates audiences with her haunting avalanche of a voice. Boulanger is a bilingual multi-instrumentalist and composer that creates cinematic dreamscapes. Her lyrics are poetic, evocative and questioning. Her style is built upon her classical training and influences from both nature and artists such as Regina Spektor, Patrick Watson, Franz Schubert and Radiohead. We are excited to have Elise bring her musical gifts to our Friday night opening reception!
Nanaimo Climate Connections 2025 is possible thank to generous support from the City of Nanaimo’s Environmental Sustainability Community Project Grant and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.
