IES organizes and collaborates on a number of special events during the year. Every March, the Institute hosts a special guest speaker for the Annual Earth Day Special Presentations.

Past Events

Panel and Pizza Lunch

In this March 2015 panel, student researchers and local professionals engaged in a discussion about

enacting environmental sustainability research into practice.

 Capitalism vs the Climate

Naomi Klein, award-winning journalist and author was the Institute's 2016 Earth Day speaker. Naomi Klein's critically acclaimed new book, This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate, is the 2014 winner of the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction.

WATER

Photo credit: Edward Burtynsky,

courtesy Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Toronto

IES hosted Edward Burtynsky , renowned photographer, to present in March 2015.  Edward told the story of where water comes from, how we distribute it, use it, and waste it. It was a thought provoking journey tackling environmental issues.                                                                                                                                                         

Inquiry Exhibition  

In September 2014, IES  was pleased to offer a unique opportunity for Mount Royal University instructors and students. The Inquiry Exhibition was installed at Mount Royal University during the Under Western Skies conference. The exhibition featured the first person stories from 30 young people who spoke out during the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry led by Justice Thomas Berger in the 1970's. Inquiry raised questions about large resource projects that continue to spark debate in Canada. Drew Ann Wake, the curator of the exhibition, lead interactive seminars for Mount Royal classes during that week. The exhibition, which features images by Calgary photographer Linda MacCannell, was designed in 2009 with the help of more than 200 elders in 25 Dene and Inuvialuit communities of the Northwest Territories.

Exploring Environmental Sustainability with Alan AtKisson

On March 6, 2014, an audience of 300 joined Alan AtKisson, author, musician, environmentalist, speaker and member of the Sustainability Hall of Fame, as he explored some of today's most pressing challenges related to sustainability.  Using story and song, Alan guided us on an entertaining romp into the fascinating realm of sustainability in this world premiere performance presented IES. The audience learned how they can be a more effective change agent for a more sustainable planet.