Summer 2024

Greetings from Kevin Lindsay, NCAH Board Chair

It has been a while since you last heard from us! Certainly, that's not because of a lack of climate action news to to share—rather many of us at NCAH have taken some much-needed time to get outdoors this summer with family and friends. As a relatively recent Island dweller, I'm still getting used to playing host to scores of visitors to this beautiful place we call home!

Obviously, climate change doesn't take a summer holiday. As residents of Jasper start returning to the devastating effects of the wildfire that destroyed more than 30% of the idyllic Alberta mountain town, we are reminded that summer is when we can be most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Here in B.C., there have been 1,488 wildfires this season, according to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

While the wildfire season is far from over, we welcomed and felt some relief by the much-needed rain here on the Island this week.

What's on my mind a lot at the moment—and the minds of many British Columbians, I know—is climate leadership. With a provincial election less than two months away, the need to elevate the climate conversation has never been more urgent. NCAH will take an active part in the conversation this Fall, creating opportunities for you to hear directly from candidates on their parties' plans to address climate change and respond to the very real threats constituents are experiencing (see info at bottom of this newsletter and be sure to mark your calendar!).

In gratitude to all you climate leaders,

Kevin

We are hiring!

Marketing & Communications Coordinator Intern

NCAH is offering a temporary, part-time marketing internship opportunity suited for a college or university student who is passionate about climate action and wishes to hone their marketing, communications, engagement and events planning skills—while gaining real-world experience in the climate space.

As the successful candidate, you will possess the following skills: copywriting; basic design using Canva; basic email marketing; and social media. In addition, you will also use your organizational skills to plan and staff local events. The required work hours will range from 15-30 per month, depending on NCAH's activity schedule as well as your own academic commitments. You will be paid a modest but competitive monthly honorarium and will gain valuable experience you can put toward landing your future climate marketing/comms career!

Email cover letter and resume to: nanaimoclimateaction@gmail.com by August 27th.

The Time For a Youth Climate Corps is Now

Young people are tired of waiting for the government’s actions and policy to match its 2019 climate emergency declaration. In fact, polling shows the majority of Canadians want a Youth Climate Corps now.

The Youth Climate Corps (YCC) campaign is looking to organize an action during the Liberal caucus retreat (Sept 9 - 11) in Nanaimo. The details aren't finalized, but they will be putting on a creative, attention-grabbing action to show MPs and the media that there's a strong demand for a YCC.

This is our opportunity to convince the federal Liberals to fund a national Youth Climate Corps! Help us spread the word—especially to anyone under the age of 35 who wants a good, green job! Join NCAH and Climate Emergency Unit members via Zoom on September 5th to plan this important action in Nanaimo. Sign up here to attend.

September 21st Climate Solutions Café: Fall Equinox Picnic in the Park

After a summer hiatus, we will ease into a new season of Climate Solutions Cafés with a social gathering outdoors! Come join us for a Fall Equinox potluck picnic at Neck Point Park. This will be a social gathering as well as a chance to engage in climate solutions dialogue through some activities intended to get our creative juices flowing!

Be sure to register at this link. Plan to bring a potluck item to share, as well as your own plates, utensils, folding chairs, etc. We are looking forward to reconnecting with you next month at Neck Point Park!

Nanaimo and Ladysmith: Let's Win Heat Pumps for All

350.org is building a people-powered movement to get a heat pump into every home. The campaign is calling on MPs across Canada to champion a Universal Heat Pump Program, overseen by a new publicly owned entity that produces, distributes, and installs heat pumps in homes across the country. With built-in tenant protections, this program would save lives, cut our bills, and protect the planet.

Eva Fraser, a VIU student, is the summer fellow organizing the movement in the federal riding of Nanaimo-Ladysmith. Watch for Eva at local events and sign the 350.org petition calling on Lisa Marie Barron, MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith, to champion this heat pump campaign because “Everyone deserves to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.”

Three More Communities Join the Sue Big Oil Campaign

Port Moody, Cumberland, and Sechelt have joined the class action lawsuit (along with View Royal, Squamish, Qualicum Beach, Saanich, Slocan, and Burnaby) bringing the total to nine.

Port Moody: In a public statement, Mayor Meghan Lahti said, “It is our intention to join with other local governments to support a class action lawsuit to recover our fair share of climate costs, contingent on one local government acting as the representative class action plaintiff.”

Cumberland: Mayor Vickey Brown, says the village is vulnerable to heat waves and wildfires and with such a small tax base, they cannot afford the skyrocketing costs. Ms. Brown cites the cost of climate adaptations required for their wastewater project at over one million dollars, an amount the small community cannot afford. Read the full story here.

Sechelt: Local resident Maryann Kamphuis was delighted with the Council’s decision: “For our children, their children and their children’s children, I am so very grateful to the District of Sechelt Council for voting to join the class action. A win will mean costs can be borne more equitably by those companies responsible for causing the damage.” Read more here.

Are you curious about the Sue Big Oil campaign? Markham Hislop, Canadian energy and climate journalist, interviews Andrew Gage, staff lawyer at West Coast Environmental Law, about the class action lawsuit against oil companies. The hour-long interview is free on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PhMxAl8iSKNJpTfo6EH0z

Highlights of the interview include: the mechanics of the lawsuit, what is the problem we are trying to solve, why don’t oil companies reduce their emissions, you can sue a manufacturer when they sell a product knowing full well that the use of the product will cause harm, “Bitumen Beyond Combustion” – it has worth that doesn’t involve burning it, and “it’s not fair that the taxpayers bear 100% of the costs while the fossil fuel industry pockets the profits!”.

Mark Your Calendar! NCAH Will Host Two All Candidates Forums on Climate Change

This will be your chance to hear from and engage with candidates from all parties officially running in the Nanaimo-Gabriola Island (NAI) and Nanaimo-Lantzville (NAL) Electoral Districts. The topic? You got it: climate change.

Please note the following dates and locations, then stay tuned for detailed information and a link to register (registration will be required to attend this event).

Nanaimo-Gabriola Island (NAI) Electoral District: Monday, Sept. 30th, 6:30 pm, Legion Branch 256
Nanaimo-Lantzville (NAL) Electoral District: Saturday, Oct. 5th, 10:00 am, Wellington Hall

Again, this notice serves as a 'mark your calendar'. You will receive a direct email with additional details, including registration link, in approximately two weeks.

Looking for an easy way to support Nanaimo Climate Action Hub?

We have an account with the Regional Recycling South Return-It Depot at 839 Victoria Road in Nanaimo. You can donate the money from returnable items by asking the clerk to credit the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub account. Thanks in advance for your support. It makes a huge difference!

This newsletter is a publication of the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub. For more information, please click below:

We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw, Stz'uminus and Snaw-Naw-As First Nations.