Connecting speeches about critical minerals, the actual mining of the planet, and day-to-day life is not in the everyday train of thought, but the connection is as tangible as the screen you’re looking at.
CRITICAL MINERALS, RARE EARTH ELEMENTS, MINING, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
How we live our lives today relies on the mining of critical minerals and rare earth elements. (Fun fact: Whether a mineral is labelled ‘critical’ is a decision that can change over time. ‘Rare earth’ elements are a defined group of 17 elements on the periodic table.)
Newfoundland and Labrador has both. What does it take to mine them? What is the cost?
NLEN Green Conversations is talking about it! Be part of the conversation with conversation starters:
– Arn Keeling (Geography, MUN): Social and political aspects of mineral development and mine closure
– John Sandlos (History, MUN): Environmental history of mining in Northern Canada, occupation health and mining
IN PERSON – Whale Atrium, Core Science Building
ONLINE – VIRTUAL via ZOOM – Click here 7:00 pm Tuesday 24 03 2026
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84768250945…
All respectful viewpoints welcome
Light refreshments following – bring your water bottle
About Green Conversations
Approximately 60+ organizations in this province are dedicated to building a stronger, healthier environment. ENGOs and members of the public will join NLEN and resource people in conversation about topics that will help individuals, the public, and the planet move forward with resilience.
The NLEN Green Conversation Series is a loosely-structured, moderated, 75 minute unscripted program developed to engage dialogue and consideration about environmental-related topics important to our province and our collective future amongst members of the community. All are welcome participants (live and online).
The model is listening and sharing thoughts and knowledge. The goal of the series is to consider, in all cases, ‘how can we do it better?’.
TRANSPORTATION
Metrobus – Routes 1, 9, 10, 14, 16, 33 stop near the University Centre, next to the Core Science Facility
Link to parking map – chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.mun.ca/…/Pay%20Per%20Use%20Lot%20Map.pdf
Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network’s Green Conversations is proud to receive QuickStart funding from Memorial’s Office of Public Engagement and in-kind support from Memorial University’s Conference & Event Services.
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PAST EVENTS
on the bus / behind the bus / under the bus / o no don’t wait – there is no bus:
PUBLIC TRANSIT IN THE NORTHEAST AVALON AND BEYOND
Green Conversations February 3, 2026 / 7 – 9 pm
- PHYSICAL – Whale Atrium, Core Science Building, 45 Arctic Avenue St. John’s
- VIRTUAL via ZOOM Click here 7:00 pm Tuesday 02 03 2026
There’s buzz on the bus! In St. John’s ridership is growing – more than half a million rides taken in 2024. There are new routes, electrification plans, and funding.
Bus buzz continues beyond St. John’s with initiatives like the Killick Coast Regional Transit Study and other places.
But there are challenges.
Wet waits, unshoveled stops, routes/absence of routes and schedules pose challenges to the convenience of public transit.
What will it take to make public transit the transport of choice, and bring the environmental benefits to our communities?
NLEN Green Conversations is talking about it! Be part of the conversation. NLEN welcomes conversation starters:
- Kate Cadigan – Councillor and lead for Engineering, Transportation and Mobility, City of St. John’s
- Toni Dray – Bus user and transit advocate (Essential Transit Association)
- Kerry Murray – Director of Economic Development Town of Torbay and lead on the Killick Coast Transit study
- David Brake – Member of the Essential Transit Association
- Myles Russell – Founder of Streets are for People
Transportation
- Metrobus – Transportation to and from the event is served by Routes 1, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 23 near the University Centre, next to the Core Science Facility
- Link to parking map
In Person – Whale Atrium, CORE Sciences Building, Memorial University, 45 Arctic Avenue
Click here 7:00 pm Tuesday 02 03 2026 Zoom LinkGREEN CONVERSATIONS – Wildfires, Extreme Weather & Ocean Change – What’s Going on and What Next?
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Tuesday October 21, 2025 7 – 9 pm
Our October Green Conversations – Wildfires, Extreme Weather & Ocean Change – What’s Going on and What Next? with Conversation Starters
Uta Passow (Understanding the Ocean, Department of Ocean Sciences, MUN) and Carissa Brown (Climate and Environmental Change, Department of Geography, MUN)Was a great success!
Check the media coverage: CBC Morning Show with Jenn White – https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-56-st-johns-morning-show/clip/16176923-whats-going-environment-right-better
Thanks also to BAYFM & VOCM / Tim Powers Show for their interest!
Conversation Starters
- Carissa Brown (Climate and Environmental Change, Department of Geography, MUN)
- Uta Passow (Understanding the Ocean, Department of Ocean Sciences, MUN)
Transportation
- Metrobus – Routes 1, 9, 10, 14, 16, 33 stop near the University Centre, next to the Core Science Facility
- Link to parking map
All respectful viewpoints welcome.
Light refreshments following – bring your water bottle!
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NLEN AGM & LUNCHEON
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 12:30 – 2 pm
In-person B2007A (Changed from B1013), Main Floor, Emera Innovation Exchange, 100 Signal Hill Road,
Online – Click here for ZOOM link
Paid Parking a Emera Innovation Exchange with Passport Parking Canada App – download app here
Free Parking Johnson Geo Centre, 175 Signal Hill Road.
Public Transit – Metrobus On Demand – https://www.metrobus.com/BookARideSH/metrobus-on-demand.html
All welcome, but only up to date members may vote. Join or update here.
Light lunch will be provided.
GREEN CONVERSATIONS – Living On Earth – Promoting Personal and Environmental Resilience Now
May 15, 2025 7 – 9 pm
- In Person – Whale Atrium, CORE Sciences Building, Memorial University, 45 Arctic Avenue
- Online- ZOOM LINK
This conversation focuses on sustainability in uncertain times. Approximately 60+ organizations in this province are dedicated to building a stronger, healthier environment. ENGOs and members of the public will join NLEN and resource people in conversation about topics that will help individuals, the public, and the planet move forward with resilience.
Conversation starters include:
- Dr. Martin Day, social psychologist at Memorial.
- Dr. Rita Anderson, Honourary Research Professor at Memorial.
- Neighbours United, a national charity dedicated to innovative and inclusive solutions to communities healthy and safe.
- Kim Todd, founder of non-profit thegreenrock ~ Live Sustainably NL Inc.
Discussion Topics can include, but are not to be limited to:
- how to access good information and ensure validity
- how to recognize and counter misinformation
- understanding ‘climate denial’ and how to advance understanding
- actions you can take to live sustainably
and more!
We can do this! Join us, in person or online for an open conversation as we work to build resiliency now.
Transportation
- Metrobus – Routes 1, 9, 10, 14, 16, 33 stop near the University Centre, next to the Core Science Facility
- Link to parking map
All respectful viewpoints welcome.
Light refreshments following – bring your water bottle!
Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network’s Green Conversations is proud to receive QuickStart funding from Memorial’s Office of Public Engagement and in-kind support from Memorial University’s Conference & Event Services.
Newfoundland & Labrador Environment Network 