CALGARY, Alberta & VANCOUVER, British Columbia--Svante Technologies Inc. (Svante), recognized as a global leader in carbon capture and removal technology, has unveiled their latest climate change awareness initiative, the 'Save the Ice' campaign, during the ISU World Cup Speed SkATING event held recently in Calgary. This campaign is focused on raising awareness about how global warming is affecting winter sports, particularly speed skating.
The 'Save the Ice' campaign facilitates actions Canadians can take to combat climate issues. Viewers are invited to watch and share a video featuring renowned Canadian Olympic speed skater, Gaetan Boucher, who articulates the adverse effects of climate change on winter sports. To amplify the campaign's impact, for every video shared, Svante pledges to remove half a kilogram of CO₂* from the atmosphere through their partnership with fellow Canadian carbon removal firm, Deep Sky, under certain conditions.
With greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) driving global warming, which leads to the alarming reduction of ice and snow, winter sports are being significantly threatened. Once held outdoors, many speed skating events are now obliged to take place indoors due to unpredictable ice conditions brought on by climate change. Ron Weiser, Chair of the Board of Directors at Speed SkATING Canada, remarked, "Climate change is not just a global issue—it’s deeply personal for athletes and communities whose lives revolve around winter sports. Through the ‘Save the Ice’ campaign, we’re excited to partner with Svante to raise awareness about the urgent need for climate action and show Canadians how they can make a tangible impact. Together, we can help preserve the ice, the sport we love, and our planet for future generations."
Richard Laliberte, Chief Operating Officer at Svante and former speed skating athlete, expressed the campaign's significance, stating, "This campaign holds special meaning for me. It highlights the reality facing winter sports—climate change is threatening their future. By working together, we can take meaningful steps to preserve the sports and environments we cherish." To encourage engagement at the event, signage was displayed around the Olympic Oval with the message, "Help the Climate. Save the Ice," along with a QR code directing attendees to their dedicated campaign webpage at www.svanteinc.com/save-the-ice. After visiting, users can learn about how CO2 contributes to climate change and share the video to help remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Colleen Nitta, Director of Marketing and Communications at Svante, stated, "This initiative builds on the strong partnership between Svante and Speed SkATING Canada... inspire Canadians and the global community to learn about what causes climate change and inspire them to take action." Svante operates from Vancouver, BC, and is dedicated to providing environmentally responsible carbon capture solutions. Their recognition on 2025 Global Cleantech 100 and their efforts have established them as key players in the climate action arena.
Meanwhile, at the Cresson Public Library's “Let’s Talk About It: Conversations Among Citizens Series,” educator John Frederick delivered insightful commentary on climate change, likening its gradual impact to the dangers of cigarette smoking. He noted, "Some people smoke 'like a chimney' and live to 90, whereas others with moderately harmful habits may only see 43 years before succumbing to lung cancer. Each cigarette raises the risk—similarly, every neglect of climate change mildly increases our chances for severe repercussions from it."
Throughout his presentation titled "Climate Change and Central Pennsylvania: Separately Fact from Fiction," Frederick addressed six pivotal questions concerning climate change, its costs, and societal impacts. His primary objective? To demystify what many perceive as complex scientific matters, making it more accessible to the public. He stated, "Sometimes, people struggle with these topics because they think the science is beyond their grasp. Others hesitate to engage because they find the issue to be too politically charged."
Frederick underscored verifiable data demonstrating the correlation between climate change and the increasing frequency of natural disasters, stating firmly, "It’s difficult for me to understand how, after the last few years, there are still skeptics claiming this is all a hoax... We see unprecedented wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and rising sea levels. This is all unprecedented stuff." His intent was to rally public sentiment around the evident challenges posed by climate change.
Etta Albright, part of the group organizing Frederick's presentation, echoed his sentiments, stressing the immediate importance for citizens to comprehend climate science. "We need to understand the facts about climate change so we can take informed action instead of waiting for more dramatic disasters to occur before realizing the urgency," she warned. Her call to action contrasted sharply with the perceived inertia surrounding climate-related discussions.
Both the 'Save the Ice' campaign and John Frederick’s efforts are prime examples of how educational initiatives can spur environmental consciousness and direct individuals toward meaningful action against climate change. Their combined message is clear: awareness can be the catalyst for change, and there's no time to delay.