The Green Economy Network (GEN) is mourning the loss of its founder Tony Clarke, 80, a renowned advocate for social and environmental justice who leaves a foundational legacy in the Canadian climate movement.
In the years after the financial crisis of 2008, Clark united a broad coalition of those who saw the need to face the looming climate crisis with a plan that would address the ecological, economic, and equity challenges of our time.
The result was GEN, an organization that continues to bring together diverse voices to support a just transition for Canadians.
In the early days of the organization, Tony did much of the spadework of coalition-building — producing GEN’s first documents and research and ensuring the network met its goals without a dedicated staff.
Clarke, a prolific writer and organizer who also led the Polaris Institute, acted as a mentor to many who went on to take on leadership roles among GEN’s membership. His profound impact bringing together diverse causes and movements continues to inspire GEN’s work.
Matt Firth, senior officer at CUPE National and a member of the GEN management committee, remembers that Clarke’s passion and commitment were always balanced with personal warmth and good humour.
“Tony’s real strength was finding common bonds between people and the organizations that they represented,” Firth said. “I certainly miss him.”
GEN is committed to honouring Clarke’s memory by continuing to forge these ties between movements dedicated to a socially, economically and environmentally just Canada.