The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 “Climate Action” is a call for immediate action by all to lower greenhouse emissions, build resilience and improve education on climate change. Affordable, scalable solutions such as renewable energy, clean technologies are available to enable countries to leapfrog to a greener, more resilient economies.

Libraries have a key role to play to build a more sustainable world. Many libraries are facing crises related to climate change: snow, floods, smoke from fires in the mountains near the community, mold, hurricanes- and many communities they serve are experiencing these crises as well. 

As set out in IFLA’s paper on libraries and sustainability, two key roles of libraries are as examples and educators, building an understanding of the issues among citizens, and helping them to learn how to change their own behavior.

Join our event to hear from librarians in different regions of the world who are helping communities. Speakers come from the United Nations, IFLA’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB), and the American Library Association’s Sustainability Round Table. 

Moderated by Loida Garcia-Febo, CPDWL Consultant, International Library Consultant

Speakers

Sherri Aldis
Chief, United Nations Publications (Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications)

Harri Sahavirta
Chief Librarian Helsinki City Library, Arabianranta and Vallila libraries, Finland

Casey Conlin
Library Sustainability Coordinator, Mid-Hudson Library System, New York, United States

Learning outcomes

  • Recognize that the protection of the global climate is an essential task for libraries and that we need to completely re-evaluate our worldview and everyday behaviours in light of this
  • Evaluate whether activities at your library are climate friendly and – where not – to revise them. 
  • Promote climate-protecting policies and support climate-friendly economic activities at your local community.

Register for the webinar happening on Apr 26, 2021 – 11:00 ET USA | 17:00 CET
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