Kids talk climate change with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

TORONTO, November 25, 2016 -- Kids age 9-12 from Toronto reached out to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with questions about one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change. The Prime Minister is set to answer via a series of video responses on Twitter beginning today, Friday, November 25 through Sunday, November 27, 2016. His participation marks the latest iteration of Climate Talks, a documentary project created by Toronto-based artcollective Madeleine Co. (external link)  and commissioned by the Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) in conjunction with the RIC exhibition The Edge of the Earth: Climate Change in Photography and Video. The public can also join in the talks with @RICgallery using the hashtag #climatetalks.

In the new iteration of Climate Talks, this same group of 9-12-year-old children from Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood turned their attention toward teacher, father, advocate and leader of Canada, Prime Minister Trudeau, with a series of pointed questions about climate change. Keep an eye on @RICgallery (external link)  and @JustinTrudeau (external link)  to watch the Prime Minister’s thoughtful responses this weekend.

The public is also invited to watch all 8 episodes in the original series at www.climatetalks.ca (external link)  of conversations between children and adults about their hopes, fears and failings as they confront a future impacted by climate change. Featured participants range from parents and teachers, to artists, activists and politicians, including renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky, Toronto city councillor Gord Perks and Canadian MP Julie Dzerowicz. Climate Talks brings honesty, humour and refreshing candour into a deeply polarizing discussion around the impending threat faced by future generations. Most importantly, it starts a new conversation – one that bridges the opportunity for youth and adults to act together to face climate change.

On view at the Ryerson Image Centre until December 4, The Edge of the Earth: Climate Change in Photography and Video questions traditional views and challenges our environmental consciousness, while attempting to foster a reconsideration of climate change. The exhibition features recent and historic work by a range of pioneering and visionary artists (including Amy Balkin, Raymond Boisjoly, Edward Burtynsky, Peter Goin, Naoya Hatakeyama, Isabelle Hayeur, Mishka Henner, Chris Jordan, Richard Misrach, Evariste Richer, Joel Sternfeld and Sharon Stewart) from around the world. Photojournalism from the RIC’s famed Black Star Collection is also included, contextualizing artistic reflections alongside half a century of historical reportage on the environment.

The Edge of the Earth is generously supported by Cineplex Media and Invesco, and by media sponsors Toronto Life and Toronto Star. Climate Talks is made possible with generous support from the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council and ArtReach Toronto.

Madeleine Co. is a Toronto-based art collective reimagining social issues through experiential storytelling and multimedia art. Projects include: the Creative Catalyst symposium on art and social change, internationally touring walking performance These are the People in Your Neighbourhood, and Let's Imagine Canada's Future commissioned by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Madeleine Co. has been featured in festivals such as Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Luminato, and Art of the Danforth. Learn more about past projects at www.madeleineco.com (external link) 

The Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) exists for the research, teaching and exhibition of photography and related media. We are an active partner within the academic fabric of Ryerson University, the cultural network of greater Toronto, and the national and international artistic community. We develop rigorous yet inclusive programs for students, faculty, artists, researchers and curators, as well as the general public. The RIC boasts three interrelated areas of activity. Our exhibition program addresses topics of social, cultural, aesthetic and historical concern from a variety of contemporary perspectives. Our Peter Higdon Research Centre conducts and facilitates inquiry into primary resource materials and offers workshops, lectures, symposia and publication programs. Finally, we maintain a collection of photography spanning the medium’s history, as well as several artist and journalism archives—including the renowned Black Star Collection of twentieth century photoreportage. For more information, visit https://www.torontomu.ca/ric

Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 41,500 students, including 2,400 master's and PhD students, 3,200 faculty and staff, and nearly 170,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past five years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit https://www.torontomu.ca

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Media Contact: Erin Warner, Ryerson Image Centre, erin.warner@torontomu.ca / T+416 979 5000 x7032 @RICgallery