The Climate Consortium for Research Action Integration (CC-RAI) will host the first Canadian screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary, Sun Come Up – A story of the world’s first climate change refugees, at York University’s Keele campus on Friday, April 1.

Students interested in how climate change will affect people in Canada and abroad are welcome to attend this free event. You can watch the trailer on CC-RAI's website.

Sun Come Up follows the relocation of some of the Carteret Islanders, a peaceful community living on a remote island chain in the South Pacific Ocean, and now, some of the world’s first environmental refugees.

When rising seas threaten their survival, the islanders face a painful decision: they must leave their beloved land in search of a new place to call home. The film follows the group, who are led by Nick Hakata, as they search for land in Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea 50 miles across the open ocean.

The premiere of Sun Come Up is made possible by CC-RAI. Formed through a partnership between York University and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), CC-RAI stimulates research and action around climate change and provides resources to help communities become more sustainable.

“CC-RAI aims to engage students, faculty and the wider public in meaningful dialogue around climate change,” said Stewart Dutfield, program and communications manager for CC-RAI. “We support researchers who are exploring climate change’s implications from both a natural and social science perspective. Since both TRCA and York University are committed to addressing global issues at the local level, CC-RAI is a natural extension of their partnership.”

When: Friday, April 1, 2011 at 4pm

Where: Nat Taylor Cinema, N102 Ross Building (#28 on the York U map), Keele Campus, York University

Tickets: Free, provided you register online

Visitor parking is available at the Student Services Parking Garage (#84)