What if Earth had a beating heart that powered everything on the planet? In a way, the Global Ocean is like Earth’s heart.  

Using this powerful premise and the principles of ocean literacy, award-winning author Rochelle Strauss builds students’ understanding of the global ocean’s influence on us, and our influence on the ocean.  

Through this dynamic, engaging and interactive presentation, students will dive into the global ocean to discover that while Earth is home to five distinct oceans, these oceans are actually connected to form one global ocean and this one ocean sustains all life on Earth. The presentation will highlight the important roles the global ocean plays in supporting all life on Earth, such as regulating Earth’s climate, controlling weather, providing habitat, and as a source of food for many animals on the planet (including people).  

But the global ocean is in trouble, with many human activities having a huge impact on the global ocean.  Students will explore how pollution, overfishing, acidification, habitat destruction, warming water and rising sea levels are all affecting the health of the global ocean.  

Through stories called Ripples of Change, Rochelle will share that the news isn’t all bad. By showcasing leading ocean conservation initiatives and other good news stories from around the world, Rochelle will demonstrate the actions people and organizations are taking to protect the global ocean.  

The final, and perhaps most impactful and dramatic moment of the presentation comes with an interactive activity that engages the full audience and which clearly demonstrates to each student the power of just one person to make a change. This activity leaves students feeling empowered and inspired. It will also build their capacity for making informed and responsible decisions when it comes to protecting the Earth’s global ocean. 

Come meet to enjoy and discuss a wide variety of books selected by book club members. All are welcome!

Every second Thursday of the month from 1.30pm to 3.00pm.

Here's what we're reading in 2024/2025:

• March 14: Dead Wake by Eric Larson
• April 11: Warlight by Michael Ondaatje 
• May 9: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
• June 6: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up by John Carreyrou
• July 11: Mansions of the Moon by Shyam Selvadurai
• August 8: Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
• September 12: On the Ravine by Vincent Lam
• October 10: The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez
• November 14: Snow by John Banville
• December 12: Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin
• January 9: A Newfoundlander in Canada by Alan Doyle
• February 13: The Drowning Woman by Robin Harding

Library and Archives Canada (LAC), the Ottawa International Writers Festival and the Ottawa Public Library invite you to the launch of Canadians Who Innovate: The Trailblazers and Ideas That Are Changing the World by Roseann O’Reilly Runte, president of the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.

This remarkable new book profiles of some of the most inventive and creative Canadians and the ideas that are making Canada a leading nation in innovation. 

This special occasion will include a discussion on innovation with the author and Nobel laureate, Art McDonald, and a performance by OrKidstra introduced by Tina Fedeski and Margaret Maria Toblowska. A number of innovators featured in the book will also be present.

Featuring brilliant thinkers from coast to coast to coast and others from around the world who now call Canada home, Canadians Who Innovate paints a promising picture of a cleaner, healthier, more innovative future for us all.

Seating is limited, please register.

Do you love browsing through cookbooks and trying new recipes? Then come and meet with other food enthusiasts and put a cookbook to the test! Each month will be a different cookbook! We will then make recipes at home and share comments on the results with the group.

No need to put a hold on a copy! You will get the cookbooks at the meetings.

 Cookbook for April              Cookbook for May