Zoe is an amazing individual.

Dhavita Topiwala - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
BSc- Neuroscience.
April 22, 2007 15:04 (Atlantic)

Truly inspiring and an excellent role model!

Asha Sundareshan - Halifax
Dept of Health Informatics, Dal
April 22, 2007 21:19 (Atlantic)

I like the way she is thinking for a global cause and her smile of course!

Maritza Estridge
Environmental Science
April 23, 2007 19:37 (Atlantic)

Not only has Zoe done great things for environmental awareness, but her enthusiasm and character has inspired her peers greatly!

Zoë Caron (Abriel photo) + Outstanding student volunteers Barbara Walls, Zoë Caron, Ian Joyce and Mike Sornberger (Abriel photo).

At Dalhousie, learning extends beyond the classroom. Many students are making a significant difference in the wider community while achieving success within the classroom. This year, the department of Student Services began an initiative called “Making a Difference at Dal,” recognizing outstanding student achievements within the Dalhousie community and beyond. This week, Dal News profiles these five students.

Zoë Caron, a vibrant BC native, is completing a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in International Development Studies and Environmental Sciences. Caron says her passion for environmentalism and community involvement can be traced back to two summers ago when she attended a climate change conference. “It was at this event that I really started to understand the issues that we were facing,” she says.

That event was just the beginning. Now in her fourth and final year of study, Caron’s list of accomplishments reads like an impressive resume, one that even David Suzuki might note. Her experiences include acting as the Atlantic Youth Coordinator for the Sierra Youth Coalition, being part of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, becoming a DSU Senator and co-founding the Dalhousie Integrated Sustainability Initiative (DISI). As if she wasn’t busy enough, Caron agreed to co-author a book with Federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May entitled Global Warming for Dummies. Not bad for a student who hasn’t even reached her 22nd birthday.

“If you have an issue, then you should do something about it.”

Caron’s concern about environmental issues reflects the same issues raised by Canadians throughout the country. “This is a critical and unique point in time … the first time the environment has been recognized to be such an important issue by the public, who are beginning to place it above such things as health care. Now is the time to make changes,” she says.

Caron’s voluntary and extracurricular experiences have taught her many lessons that complement those she has learned in the classroom. While she plans on continuing her involvement with environmental issues, she is continuously pursuing new avenues for her future. “There are many organizations that have opportunities and internships,” she says. “It is really important for young people to get involved in areas such as the media and politics. If you have an issue, then you should do something about it.”

A local environmental activist is rubbing shoulders with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Alanis Morissette in the current issue of Vanity Fair.

Zoë Caron, Atlantic co-ordinator for Sustainable Campuses with the Sierra Youth Coalition, appears in the May edition - the mag’s second annual Green Issue - which recently hit newstands.

“I think it’s incredible,” the Dalhousie University student told The Daily News yesterday.

“I think having a mainstream magazine focusing on environmental issues is really great. It reaches a whole other population.”

Caron, 21, was in Washington, D.C., in January for a Campus Climate Change staff meeting when the 35 members on hand were asked to pose for the group photo - the very next day.

“We have been really successful on campuses in the last year and a half - it’s exploded,” she said of the attention the movement has obviously garnered. “I think this program is really fun and inspiring and actually creates change on campus.”

The group of youthful environmentalists - including fellow Canuck Anjali Helferty of Ottawa - were photographed by Art Streiber in a Greenpeace warehouse.

The caption applauds them for “taking the cause from the crunchy confines of hippiedom into the mainstream, giving hope to those who previously felt powerless as their parents and politicians dropped the biggest ball of all: Earth.”

And while DiCaprio, whose upcoming documentary The 11th Hour chronicles environmental ills, appears on the cover, Caron is happy Vanity Fair didn’t take a superficial approach to the green movement.

“There are people who have taken issues and made huge changes,” said the B.C. native, who is studying environmental science and international development in Halifax.

Caron will take another run at print in the next year, as the co-author of Global Warming for Dummies, with Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.

Why am I not surprised to hear about this? I have come to expect this steady stream of exceptional and consequential things from the big Z. You push these wonderful things so fast, it keeps everyone running to keep up - thats exactly what we should be doing about this problem, running full tilt.

cheers

adam

You are amazing and you daily inspire me. I was thrilled to see this post and I can’t wait to get the book!!!! Keep doing your amazing work but remember to step back and breathe. I try to remember that.

Lilith- thank you so much for getting the news out!

Love,
Shadia

Juanpa, my love - I don’t think I will be in Bali… I will be in South America… Unless someone sends me… I’ll work on it, esp. since this one is so important!! aaaah.

Liz - what a coincidence! You’re my hero!
xoxo