Dedicated Changemakers continue to push for sustainability and climate justice

With 84 members, SFU350 is one of the largest climate groups on campus. Active since 2013, the student-led club works closely with faculty, staff, and other SFU community members on sustainability-related initiatives. Last spring, they received a Faculty of Environment Changemaker of the Year award to celebrate their dedication to creating positive environmental change.

“Being presented with the FENV Changemaker award was the first formal recognition our club received after achieving the goals of our SFU Climate Emergency Declaration campaign,” says Liam Mackay, core leadership member of the team and environmental science student. “It was an exciting moment for our entire club, and it encouraged us to continue striving to make SFU a more just and sustainable university.”

Mackay joined SFU350 in 2021. He wanted to make a difference in his community and felt the club was creating meaningful change through their work. “I also found that working with a group of like-minded, passionate individuals helped me cope with my ecoanxiety,” he says.

The club’s Climate Emergency Declaration campaign consisted of an open letter and presentation to SFU’s Board of Governors. It called on SFU to officially declare a climate emergency and included seven other sustainability-related demands. The team collaboration had the support of numerous other organizations at SFU.

Allyson Soriano, who does social media for the club, joined in 2021 to help with the campaign. Like Mackay, she’s passionate about the work they’re doing and being part of the team. “It was meant to be a temporary position,” she says, “but after meeting so many amazing people doing such great work, I couldn’t leave!”

The campaign came to a close after SFU officially declared a global climate emergency on April 4^th, 2022. SFU350 subsequently restructured their club into multiple working groups, each with ongoing initiatives focused on the individual demands from their open letter.

This semester, one group is hosting community town halls to receive input from students on the establishment of a climate hub at the university to engage the student body on climate justice topics. Groups are also meeting with SFU staff about creating a climate literacy course, and about reinvesting funds from SFU’s endowment into local businesses. “I’m really excited to be working on raising awareness and promoting positive change on campus,” says Callum Meisner, a newer member of the club who joined last September.

Students interested in learning more about SFU350 or joining the club can visit their website, Instagram, or the SFSS clubs list. Members can participate in as many or as few of the various subgroups as they want. “No background experience is required to join,” says Mackay. “You can always learn along the way!”