Are you ready to step up to the challenges of the Circularity Gap and Ocean Plastics?
Zero Waste Conference Day 1 keynote speakers, Valerie Craig and Harald Friedl, are calling for leadership on the twin crises of rampant resource waste and ocean plastic pollution.
These are daunting challenges – but they are surmountable.
Day 1 of #ZWC19 focuses on practical approaches to help you and your organization get aboard the Circular Economy. From large corporations rethinking their business models, to the announcement of the finalists in the Canadian Innovation Showcase – the conference showcases a range of solutions for reducing waste, ending pollution and ushering in an era of circular cities.
The Circular Economy is gaining momentum, and now’s the time to get aboard.
Harald Friedl, CEO, Circle Economy
Amsterdam-based think tank Circle Economy recently made international headlines with its 2019 Circularity Gap Report, released at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The report shows that only 9% of the 92.8 billion tonnes of minerals, fossil fuels, metals and biomass that enter the economy are re-used annually.
According to the report, addressing the issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and diminishing resources requires a rapid uptake of the Circular Economy:
“A 1.5 degree world can only be a circular world. Recycling, greater resource efficiency and circular business models offer huge scope to reduce emissions. A systemic approach to applying these strategies would tip the balance in the battle against global warming.
…
Governments’ climate change strategies have focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency and avoiding deforestation but they have overlooked the vast potential of the circular economy.â€
– Harald Friedl
Hardal Friedl’s keynote presentation on day 1 of #ZWC19 will detail the Circularity Gap and how communities in Europe are closing that gap by adopting the Circular Economy.
Valerie Craig, Deputy to the Chief Scientist and Vice President of Operating Programs for the National Geographic Society
Valerie Craig is at the forefront of National Geographic’s worldwide efforts to raise awareness of plastic pollution and the Circular Economy.
The National Geographic Society and Sky Ocean Ventures have launched an Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge to source ideas from around the world about how to address plastic waste.
The challenge has three streams – the first calls on scientists and innovators to develop zero-waste packaging solutions; the second calls for Circular Economy and zero waste business models, and the third calls for creative ways of illustrating the scale of the plastics pollution problem.
“What gets public attention are the really flashy, exciting sexy things – people love to hear about the latest water bottle made form seaweed or edible utensils. Those make great stories and demonstrate the opportunity for innovation, but they’re just scratching the surface of the problem.â€
– Valerie Craig
Craig’s keynote presentation will help us understand how we got to this point, and remind us that solutions will truly require global thinking. From governments, corporations and civil society, systemic change will require human ingenuity and global thinking.
Whether you’re totally new to the concept or an industry veteran, the Zero Waste Conference in collaboration with the National Zero Waste Council strikes a balance between theory and action. The conference is your guide to the people, ideas and actions that are having the biggest impact.
2019 Zero Waste Conference:
Mobilizing for Success in the Circular Economy
October 30 – 31, 2019
Vancouver Convention Centre (999 Canada Place)
Keynotes Speakers:
Tom Szaky
Arthur Huang
Harald Friedl
Valerie Craig
