October 2023

Hello friends!

As we fully settle into our Fall routines and welcome the rains and shorter days, it feels like the dry, hot summer is a distant memory. And while the wildfire season is mostly behind us, with only one current wildfire "of note" and under control (according to B.C. Wildfire Service), we all know this is only a temporary reprieve in this new normal hotter planet reality.

I am heartened by the commitment to climate action we're taking here in Nanaimo and the progress we continue to make. I also acknowledge that it isn't an easy job. It takes no small amount of courage to stand up to people who want to shut down progress and change. In our work we must accept that there will always be people who are afraid of change and want to avoid difficult decisions that have to be made for the sake of our planet. Nanaimo Climate Action Hub membership continues to grow and I am excited to get to know our new members as we engage together in this important work!

-Heather

Old Growth Day of Action: Saving Earth's Lungs!

September 28th was Old Growth Day of Action. Residents from across B.C. showed up outside 17 MLA offices to protest old growth logging that continues to happen in our province. NCAH members and other local activists assembled outside Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcomson's office (see pictures above, photo credit: Elaine Briére) to send a message of urgency to our provincial government. The protest occurred on the third anniversary of the province's Old Growth Strategic Review; to-date none of the 14 recommendations from the review have been implemented.

According to David Quigg, Sierra Club of British Columbia Organizer and NCAH Member, 150 soccer fields of old growth are cut down every single day. "Even in the middle of a climate emergency and a biodiversity crisis, we are failing to protect these organisms that make us resilient", added Quigg. "When you're having trouble breathing, you don't cut out your lungs".

Quigg emphasizes that there is much work to be done to protect our forest ecosystems—and awareness and education are key to this. There is a common belief that our old growth forests are protected but in reality they're not. "People are shocked when I tell them that even a tree the size of the one in 2021's viral image from Vancouver Island (see above, photo credit: Lorna Beecroft) isn't big enough to warrant protection", said Quigg. 

For more information and to add your voice for old growth protection visit Sierra Club B.C.'s Forest Action Centre.

Debunking the Heat Pump Affordability Myth: Part 1

As part of our ongoing coverage of heat pumps, specifically heat pump affordability, NCAH's Larry Whaley decided to make his own home part of our research. Larry's assertion is that heat pumps needn't be cost-prohibitive, and his hypothesis was that he could get one installed much more affordably—especially when factoring in available government rebates. Well, as of three weeks ago Larry and his wife now have a nice heat pump and are ready for the cool temperatures we've already started to experience. The important question: how much did it cost? Stay tuned until our November newsletter to find out when we share a video documenting the details of Larry's heat pump adventure.

ZCSC: Story of a Climate Solution Bylaw

NCAH Welcomes New Partner: Strong Towns Nanaimo

We are pleased to welcome Strong Towns Nanaimo as our newest partner. Advocating for a new approach to urban planning and development that is financially resilient, sustainable and equitable, the North America-wide Strong Towns movement represents a new way of thinking that prioritizes the needs of the community, rather than those of developers or other stakeholders.

Strong Towns Nanaimo was co-founded by Michael Bassili and Olivia Grant, who both grew up in Vancouver. After living for a time in Prince George, the couple moved to Nanaimo and now call the Harbour City home. The organization's primary focus is advocating for a city "built around people not automobiles". Strong Towns Nanaimo plans to engage actively with Nanaimo City Council, and will have the opportunity to introduce the organization at the November 6th Council meeting.

Strong Towns Nanaimo is rapidly building their membership and encourage anyone who is interested to join one of their monthly meet-ups and sign up for their newsletter. Visit their website to read some great articles, view their calendar and subscribe to their newsletter.

NCAH recommends... The Future is Now by Bob McDonald

Upcoming Event: 16th Annual Urban Issues Film Festival, Nov. 3rd

The festival's vision is to educate and inspire people to promote sustainable cities by showcasing the possibilities of walkable, accessible, and car-free urban centres. Through thought-provoking films and engaging experiences, the festival aims to inspire solutions, amplify voices, and drive positive change in our urban landscapes.

The theme of this year's festival is: Prox(City) How Close are We?: The Possibilities of Walkable, Accessible, Car Free Urban Centres. Keynote speaker is Tyler Brown, Nanaimo City Councillor and Chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo. 

The festival will take place Friday, November 3rd, 6 - 9 pm at VIU, Admission is FREE, and pizza and Refreshments will be provided. Please register here. 

Please Support Us!

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:

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

September 2023

Hello friends!

Fall is definitely in the air and it is shaping up to be a busy one for climate activists here in Nanaimo and all around the world as well. Most days recently we have been spared the smoke here in our region, but we cannot forget that there are still more than 400 wildfires burning across our province. Evacuations continue to disrupt the lives of our neighbors in the Okanagan. The continued drought here on the Island is our reminder that climate change is real, is now, and requires our commitment to action as a community.

While our work is never done, it's important to acknowledge our successes. I couldn't be more proud of our city as a climate movement leader! By adopting the Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) a full six years ahead of the Provincial mandate, we are an example for other Canadian cities to emulate. NCAH had the privilege of organizing the action that led to this outcome, but credit goes to all of you who supported it, and to the brave and committed Councillors who made it a reality.

I am grateful to our many NCAH members and partners and look forward to seeing some of you at our potluck picnic this Saturday. If we haven't heard from you and you'd still like to come, be sure to RSVP at nanaimoclimateaction@gmail.com.

Bye for now!

-Heather

NCAH Joined in on Global March to End Fossil Fuels

It was great to see so many supporters - young and old! - bring their voices and enthusiasm to March against the fossil fuel industry last Friday. We heard impassioned speeches from city councillors Hillary Eastmure, Paul Manly, and Ben Geselbracht, along with several other community members and youth. Thank you to Extinction Rebellion for organizing the march!

Kathryn-Jane Hazel Featured on the EcoCentric Podcast

Kathryn-Jane Hazel is on the board of directors of Nanaimo Climate Action Hub. She recently sat down to talk to Keith Wiley, host of the EcoCentric podcast. News of the City of Nanaimo's recent decision to adopt the Zero Carbon Step Code effective July 2024 is reaching our friends all over the country. Listen to Katherine-Jane talk to Keith about what it means for our city and why it's so important that all citizens actively push their elected officials to make tough choices to save our planet. Have a listen here... the conversation starts around the 18-minute mark. Great job KJ!

How Organizing Led Nanaimo to Adopt the Doughnut Economics Framework

The following is an excerpt from the article How organizing led Nanaimo to adopt the Doughnut Economics framework, published in The Monitor, September 1st, 2023.

The Nanaimo Climate Action Hub (NCAH) was established on November 21, 2020, during the worst period of the pandemic - not the best time for starting a climate action group, you may think.

But within three weeks of its formation, NCAH had its first successful action, persuading Nanaimo city council to vote in favour of three climate initiatives after it received a deluge of emails from our members and supporters.

Continue reading full article here, and to learn about Doughnut Economics check out this great video featuring Kate Raworth, co-founder of the Doughnut Economics Lab.

Partner Event: Climate Action Fair at VIU - this Thursday

Back to school and back to full Fall calendar of climate action events. Our partner the VIU EcoClub, along with the VIU Geography Department, have a great day planned featuring speakers and organizations. We are proud to co-sponsor this local event. Kevin will be there from NCAH, so come on by and say hello.

More details can be found here, but here's a snapshot of the event:

Where: VIU Nanaimo Campus Plaza in front of the VIU Library/Cafeteria

When: Thursday, Sept. 21, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Why: Because collection action is powerful!

NCAH recommends...

Please Support Us!

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:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Sign up to be a member or volunteer to organize hub events and initiatives:

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

August  2023

Hello friends! Summer seems to flying by and I hope you've all had time to spend some time outdoors with loved ones. It was great seeing many of you last month at Westwood Lake. It was a beautiful day and so wonderful to cool off in or on the water.

With the devastating fires many of our fellow British Columbians are experiencing and the fact that last month was the hottest July globally on record, it is evident that the impact of climate change is upon us—no longer some future phenomenon we are trying to prevent. Our work as an organization locally has never been more important. I am proud of all the work we are doing that is highlighted in this month's newsletter. Thank you for your continued support and dedication as climate activists!

Bye for now!

-Heather

September 23rd Potluck Social!

Even (especially!) activists need to take time from work to socialize and celebrate the hard work they do every day. We are planning a potluck gathering for September 23rd. Please RSVP to NanaimoClimateAction@gmail.com to let us know if you can make it. Details to follow, including a sign-up sheet to make sure we don't just have desserts (although Larry says that wouldn't be the worst thing :-)).

NCAH meets with Federal & Provincial Green Party Leaders

Recently, NCAH has received meeting requests from not one, but two, Green Party politicians who want to learn more about our climate action work and the impact we're having here in Nanaimo and region. Laurie Friskie provides a recap.

You know you have done good work when Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Green Party and MLA for Cowichan Valley, reaches out for a meeting! On a beautiful Sunday morning, several members of NCAH met with Ms. Furstenau at Affirmation Coffee for a friendly conversation about some of our projects including One Million Heat Pumps In Three Years and the Zero Carbon Step Code Campaign. We chatted about our frustration caused by the lack of a sense of urgency with respect to the climate crisis, mechanisms to get more cars off the road and improve bicycle lanes, building resilience in neighbourhoods, and inspiring people with a vision of a healthier planet. Several NCAH members took the opportunity to share their concerns with Ms. Furstenau. Solving the world’s challenges over a cup of coffee has never been better!

Imagine our surprise when were were offered an opportunity to meet with Jonathan Pedneault, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada, during his visit to Nanaimo earlier this month. The Vault Café was an excellent backdrop for a conversation about NCAH activities, the state of the climate crisis, including West coast vulnerabilities, and life in Ottawa, especially their recent bout of smoky skies. 

We welcome any and all political leaders who are willing to chat with members of NCAH about the worsening climate crisis!

Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) in Nanaimo—more action needed

While we have made significant strides toward making the Zero Carbon Step Code a reality in Nanaimo, as Heather communicated directly to you over the weekend, our work is not done. We are extremely proud of the work we have done as an organization to this point. And while our efforts resulted in a 6-0 Council vote in favor of ZCSC on July 26th, we believe it will be important to demonstrate our continued strong support for the ZCSC to counteract pressure from the fossil fuel industry (namely Fortis BC). Please consider signing up to speak at the meeting, or attending in person to show support. In order to speak (in person or via videoconference), you must apply by 11 am on Friday, August 25th. The meeting starts at 7 pm on August 28th and will take place at Shaw Auditorium at 80 Commercial Street in Nanaimo.

A B.C. gas report sparks claims of misinformation

According to a recent Times Colonist article, a government-industry reported gauging the potential future role for renewable gas in B.C was edited to remove sections stating electric heat pumps have an advantage over burning gas.

The article further states that one jettisoned section praises the efficiency of electric heat pumps, stating they are “six to eight times more efficient than heating with gas” — a figure close to what's reported by BC Hydro and the International Energy Agency. Another section struck from the report says the City of Vancouver’s plan to phase out natural gas should be extended across the province.

Other statements appear to have been altered to paint a more neutral picture of future gas demand. The report initially warned that beyond 2030, changes to industrial and building sectors "may lead to shrinking pipeline gas sales...". It was later modified to say those industry trends "may change the volume of energy delivered in the gas system." 

Upcoming Event: Preparing your family & neighbourhood for extreme weather events and other natural disasters

The B.C. Greens Nanaimo and Nanaimo-North Cowichan Riding Association have asked us to share to their upcoming Information session on Emergency Preparedness. The event will take place at 7:45 on 19 September 19th 2023, at the Beban Park Social Centre.

There will be a number of speakers with expertise in what is required for us to prepare our families, neighbourhoods and communities to survive extreme weather events & other types of natural disasters. It is also our goal that this event will encourage members of our communities to act collaboratively with friends, neighbours and community groups to be better prepared for future emergencies.

Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP to nan@greenparty.bc.ca as early as you can to assure your seat. Updates, with further details about the evening’s program, will be posted to the organizations' Facebook pages (Nanaimo or Nanaimo-North Cowichan Riding Association) as we get closer to the event.

Did You Know...

Please Support Us!

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:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Sign up to be a member or volunteer to organize hub events and initiatives:

Membership Sign-up

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

July  2023

Hello friends! It’s hard to believe summer is upon us—kids are out of school and many of us are excited about the times we’ll spend outdoors with family and friends. Of course, these days summer also makes us all concerned about what to expect in terms of wildfires and smoke. It seems crazy to think that Canadian cities are experiencing some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke. Which is why I and the other organizers at NCAH value you and appreciate your commitment to climate action and feel that coming together in conviviality and celebration of the work we do together is so important! Thanks to those of you who filled out are recent poll—we are excited to see you at our potluck dinner on July 23rd and/or on the water at Westwood Lake on July 30th. Be sure to RSVP at NanaimoClimateAction@gmail.com. More details to follow!

Bye for now!

-Heather

NCAH Is Working with City Councillors to Create A Greener Future

We have recently invited Nanaimo City Councillors to join us at the NCAH organizers meetings. Hilary Eastmure joined us on June 9 and Ben Geselbracht attended on June 23. We talked about strategies and opportunities for greater emission reductions in Nanaimo.

In the News: View Royal votes to Sue Big Oil for a share of climate costs

At its Town Council meeting on Tuesday night, June 6th, View Royal Council voted to work with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies for a share of municipal climate change costs. Council agreed to set aside $1 per resident toward the costs of this lawsuit once other local governments are on board, and to encourage other Capital Regional District local governments to join the class action. The View Royal Climate Coalition (VRCC), Sue Big Oil - Capital Region, and West Coast Environmental Law applaud Council’s climate leadership.

"Solving climate change and dealing with the climate impacts that we already face requires everyone to do, and pay, their fair share. And right now, global fossil fuel companies are continuing to put short-term profits ahead of the health of our communities,” said Andrew Gage, Staff Lawyer at West Coast Environmental Law, which is the Secretariat to the Sue Big Oil Campaign. “Just like tobacco and opioid manufacturers, it’s time for Big Oil to pay for the climate harms that they knowingly caused while they delayed climate action.”

In 2018 the Town of View Royal wrote to twenty of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies, highlighting concerns about the impacts and costs of climate change on the community and suggesting that those companies take “cradle to grave responsibility” for the harm that their products cause.

The Sue Big Oil campaign was launched in June 2022 and is endorsed by over two dozen organizations. View Royal is the second BC local government, after Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, currently committed to working with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit. Over 28 Canadian law professors have written to BC local governments encouraging them to consider bringing this type of lawsuit, and there are over 40 local and state governments bringing similar litigation in the U.S.

The Nanaimo Sue Big Oil Team will continue to gather support at local events during the summer. Add your name to the declaration.

Update on Corporate-Sponsored Materials in the Classroom

In our June newsletter we wrote about our concern regarding the influence of corporate interests in public school curricula via educational materials created and distributed by certain corporations. The letter NCAH prepared voicing these concerns was received at the June 28 SB68 board meeting. The board voted to refer the matter to the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Advisory Committee. The discussion is captured here in this video from 12:00 to 19:00 min if you are interested in following the details. NCAH will continue to provide updates on this issue. 

New Passenger Ferry to Vancouver!

We are looking forward to the new ferry taking passengers from downtown Nanaimo to the heart of downtown Vancouver. Docking near many points of interest with easy connections to bus, SkyTrain and rideshare, the ferry will be an environmentally friendly alternative for daytrips to Vancouver. Bikes are welcome on the ferry but anything containing lithium batteries, which may include e-bikes, wheelchairs and mobility scooters are prohibited on the ferry per the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. Ferry service is expected to begin in early August -- for all the details, check out the hullo website.

Zero-Carbon Step Code

Thank-you to everyone who sent messages to city council urging them to adopt the Zero Carbon Step Code as quickly as possible! This item was originally scheduled for the June 26th Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, but has been rescheduled to the July 26th meeting (1pm). We hope to have multiple speakers and many supporters in the audience to demonstrate how important this issue is.

Did You Know...

Canada Is Burning Day of Action

Canada is experiencing the most severe wildfire season on record, with 200 fires currently burning from coast to coast. Recently, Montreal had the dubious honor of having the worst air quality of any city on the planet. On Wednesday June 28th, Nanaimo Climate Action Hub led our city's participation in Canada is Burning National Day of Action, joining more than 30 Canadian cities to protest the fossil fuel industry in a national event organized by 350.org, The peaceful but passionate protest occurred outside the office of NDP MP Lisa-Marie Barron and was attended by nearly 50 people from in and around Nanaimo. NCAH's Kevin Lindsay opened the event and delivered a letter for MP Barron to take back to Ottawa, outlining our demands to stop the fossil fuel industry -- to curtail new projects and to get serious about a just transition to a clean energy industry. MP Barron joined the protest and took time to address the group, speaking to her personal commitment to climate action and agreeing to personally deliver our message to the Prime Minister. Thanks to all the enthusiastic climate activists from across our community who came out to the event.

Please Support Us!

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:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Sign up to be a member or volunteer to organize hub events and initiatives:

Membership Sign-up

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

June  2023

Heat Pump Affordability Campaign Launched

The Nanaimo Climate Action Hub's campaign to make heat pumps affordable is revving up. The heat pump affordability team of NCAH vice-chair Larry Whaley and organizers Kathryn Hazel and Laurie Friskie has started lobbying local MLAs. They've also sent a news release to local media about the campaign and the solutions they're recommending.

There is a lot of information about this program on our website. Click here to begin a search.

Rebates on E-Bikes!

Just in time for GoByBike Week, the Province of B.C. is offering rebates on the purchase of eligible new e-bikes, according to a press release issued on May 25th, 2023. "E-bikes add a new dimension to everyday travel, even in rural communities," said Michael Koski, executive director of the BC Cycling Coalition. "For those struggling with the cost of a car, this funding will provide a wider access to a transportation option that is affordable, efficient and eco-friendly. E-bikes make cycling accessible to a wider range of people, improve personal health and help smaller communities by making more people mobile." To find out more about this program, visit the rebates website.

Corporate-Sponsored Teaching Tools in Schools?

Nanaimo Climate Action Hub recently sent a letter to ask the Nanaimo Ladysmith School Board to consider whether or not they should endorse corporate-sponsored teaching materials. It is our position that the school board should not promote corporate materials -- and we feel particularly strongly about materials coming from the oil and gas industry. We encourage you to read the letter, which includes a link to the materials that prompted this action. As always, we welcome your comments and feedback.

Partner Highlight: Nanaimo Community Gardens Society

This month we're highlighting the work of Nanaimo Community Gardens Society. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the society's Gleaning Program, which was established to reduce food waste in Nanaimo and area. Volunteer gleaners pick fruit and vegetable from backyards and gardens that would otherwise be wasted. It works like this: if you have more produce than you can use and need help picking it, gleaners are on the way! If you want to become a gleaner, you must attend an orientation before the season starts (there are still two upcoming June orientations!). So whether you are a food producer or anticipate surplus or you are keen to get out there and pick, you can find more information here.

Tip of the Month -- Green Bin Guidelines

Did you know that landfill gas (LFG) is generated as a bi-product of anaerobic decomposition of waste within a landfill? LFG is composed of equal parts methane and carbon dioxide. As a greenhouse gas, the global warming potential of methane is 25 times that of carbon dioxide. That's why it's so important to keep food waste out of the landfill and take advantage of the weekly organics (green bin) pickup here in RDN. "From beans to bones" to soiled paper packaging -- you might be surprised at what all you can compost. Here is a list of all the things you can put in that green bin.

Please Support Us!

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:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Sign up to be a member or volunteer to organize hub events and initiatives:

Membership Sign-up

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

May  2023

NCAH Participated in Stewards in the Spotlight

As part of Earth Day activities happening throughout the month of April, Nanaimo Climate Action Hub attended Stewards in the Spotlight, an event celebrating environmental stewardship and honored stewardship volunteers in the region, The event was held this past Saturday in Kinsmen Park and Kin Hut at Departure Bay Beach. It was a beautiful day and many beach-goers stopped by our booth to learn more about climate action here in Nanaimo. We are grateful to all the new members who signed up - we grow stronger as an organization with every new member! If you are not currently a member or know someone who is looking to get involved, forward them this link to our sign-up page.

Victoria Zero Carbon

BC’s new Zero Carbon Step Code legislation (formerly referred to as the Carbon Pollution Standard) comes into effect on May 1^st, 2023, allowing local governments to limit the greenhouse gas emissions of new buildings. We are encouraged by the quick uptake of this new step code happening on Southern Vancouver Island. Victoria city council passed this motion on April 6^th, to adopt the highest level of pollution standard by November 1, 2023 for smaller residential buildings and by July 1, 2024 for other buildings. Saanich followed suit with an equivalent bylaw amendment on April 24th.  If you'd like to learn more, here are a few resources:

- Capital Regional District Technical Review of Step Code and Carbon Pollution Standard (July 5, 2022)

- Briefing paper from Stand.earth regarding FortisBC claims about Renewable Natural Gas (RNG; June 2022)

- The Tamarack Institute is hosting a webinar on Planning for Sustainable and Affordable Housing During the Climate Crisis on May 17^th at 10am pacific time, building off this article about the intersection of housing affordability and climate action.

Heat Pump Availability Survey

Heat pumps are an essential tool in the fight against climate change and having a heat pump in your home can mean the difference between life and death during extreme temperatures. So why doesn't every home have one? Check out our Heat Pump Affordability Survey Results.

Please Support Us!

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:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Sign up to be a member or volunteer to organize hub events and initiatives:

Membership Sign-up

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

April  2023

Seedy Sunday Success!

We were so happy to participate in this great community event, which promoted seed saving and local agriculture. It was nice to meet so many of our members and followers -- thanks for visiting our table. Pictured are Laurie Friskie, Kathryn Hazel and Heather Baitz, hard-working members of our board of directors.

Climate Change Workshop with Katimavik Visit

NCAH's Heather Baitz and Kevin Lindsay recently had the opportunity to facilitate a workshop with a group of young people who are currently spending time in Nanaimo as part of an experience called Katimavik. Katimavik is a non-profit organization that offers young adults opportunities to gain life skills and work experience while contributing to community development through volunteerism and employment. The word ‘Katimavik’ originates from the Inuktitut language, meaning ‘meeting place’. Since 1977, Katimavik has brought young Canadians together to learn, to exchange culture and language, and to help build stronger communities across Canada. Katimavik aims to help youth become engaged, caring citizens and capable contributors and leaders for a better Canada. We do this through the development of 21^st century skills, experiential learning, employment and civic engagement.

During the 2-hour workshop, there were lively conversations on topics ranging from causes of climate change, mitigation strategies, and adaption—as well as tactics for engaging the participants' own communities in conversation about climate change. The group brought a broad range of perspectives to the conversation, due in part to their geographical diversity—participants came from as far to the East as the Magdalen Islands, as North as Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, and many points on the map in between."We really appreciated the opportunity to work with this group of bright young adult Canadians," said Heather Baitz, NACH Chair, "and hope to work with Katimavik again in the near future."

Congratulations to the Sunshine Coast Sue Big Oil Action Team!

On March 7^th, Gibsons Council voted unanimously to work with other local governments in BC to file a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies to recover a fair share of the climate costs they are incurring. This means setting aside at least $1 per resident and working with First Nations towards this purpose. The Sunshine Coast Sue Big Oil Action Team gathered public support and made a presentation to Gibsons council, which was likely instrumental in obtaining the unanimous vote.

Municipalities, who own and maintain approximately 60% of core public infrastructure in Canada, are going to pay a lot for climate-driven disasters and to re-build more resilient infrastructure. Currently, those costs are borne entirely by municipalities. For example, Gibsons is grappling with relocating a sanitary sewer main and a community hall because of sea level rise. The Sunshine Coast has experienced coastal erosion and destruction of waterfront infrastructure. In 2022, a state of local emergency was declared because of a severe and prolonged drought that caused crop losses and some temporary business closures to maintain adequate levels of drinking water. The fossil fuel industry, which has reaped profits of $3 billion a day for 50 years, needs to pay their fair share of those costs.

“Sue Big Oil community groups are springing up across the province, in Powell River, Nanaimo, Whistler, Greater Victoria, Burnaby, and more, as British Columbians demand that their local governments protect them from the costs of climate change and hold the fossil fuel industry accountable.” says Fiona Koza, Climate Accountability Strategist at West Coast Environmental Law, which is the Secretariat to the Sue Big Oil campaign. For more information or to join the Nanaimo Sue Big Oil team, email NanaimoClimateAction@gmail.com We are currently planning meetings with Nanaimo council members and local organizations. In the coming months, you will see us at a local event or in a park, asking people to complete the Sue Big Oil declaration.

Renovate the Public Hearing!

CityHive is launching an experiential, cohort-based civic education program for youths aged 18 to 30 based in the province of B.C. This hands-on program will take place over weekly sessions for 3 months, guiding a cohort of 25-30 participants through a knowledge-to-action learning journey centered on Public Hearings, and how to make them more accessible and inclusive. Over the course of the program, participants will learn about government and power with an emphasis on the municipal level from key stakeholders (elected officials, urban planners, and grassroots organizers).By the end of the program, the participants will have developed an alternative to the current public hearing process and will present their ideas to CityHive's partners at Simon Fraser University, to help them with their ongoing research on this topic. More information and application details can be found here. 

Nanaimo Climate Pledge Update

In November 2022 NCAH launched the Nanaimo Climate Pledge, a campaign intended to assess and encourage climate action in Vancouver Island households from Ladysmith to Qualicum Beach and as far west as Port Alberni. The Pledge includes a list of 13 actions, carefully chosen to be accessible and either high-impact, high-frequency, or both. Actions include reducing or eliminating meat consumption, and additional outreach actions such as joining a climate change organization. Four months after the launch of the Nanaimo Climate Pledge, over 180 people have completed the online survey to commit to one or more climate actions. 

While more data is required to make some conclusions, patterns are beginning to emerge. These patterns can inform future directions of the Pledge and help identify where best to invest time and effort to effectively encourage household climate action.

"There were a few key lessons from the first phase of the project", according to Whelm King, program manager for Nanaimo Climate Pledge. "First, change is best motivated by direct contact within our personal networks. Climate Connectors and working with established groups or clubs were the most successful methods we tested. Conversely, impersonal methods such as cold mailing were the least effective. Second, despite the urgency of the climate crisis, it will take time for many people to come to terms with the scope and severity of the crisis, and to feel empowered to take action to minimize their own contribution to the crisis. Combatting feelings of insignifigance ("my actions don't matter") and doomerism ("it's too late already") are crucial to overcome on an individual and societal level." 

What’s next? Plans are underway for the next phases of the Pledge, including evaluating the report’s recommendations for increasing reach and response rates. To accomplish this, the program is looking at targeting well-organized communities, including organized and active neighbourhood associations. 

"There is an old saying that best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago; the second best time is today. So it is with the climate crisis", says King. "The best time to take action is twenty years ago; the second best time is today" If you haven’t filled out the Pledge yet it’s not too late – here’s a link to the Pledge if you don’t have it handy!

Heat Pump Campaign Survey

Heat pumps are an essential tool in the fight against climate change. Having a heat pump in your home can mean the difference between life and death during extreme temperatures.

Yet too many British Columbians are unable to afford them. The cost of having a CleanBC Income Qualified Program (IQP) registered contractor install a heat pump is often in the tens of thousands of dollars, well above the value of available rebates.

New rebates and increasing demand for heat pumps, combined with a shortage of available installers, mean there is little incentive for companies to keep their prices competitive.

The Nanaimo Climate Action Hub is launching a campaign to ensure that heat pump installations will be affordable and efficient for everyone, thereby reducing energy consumption, combatting climate change, and making homes more comfortable in both summer and winter.

The first step in the campaign is to gather information on what getting a heat pump - or trying to - has been like for BC citizens. The Nanaimo Climate Action Hub has prepared a short, five-minute survey that asks about your heat pump experience. Please complete this survey today.

Looking Ahead...

Earth Day -- April 29 -- Stewards in the Spotlight Event -- 11 am to 3 pm

Kinsmen Park and Kin Hut in Departure Bay Beach, Nanaimo

Join Team WaterSmart at a community event that celebrates local stewardship organizations from across the region who are taking action to restore, protect, and safeguard our environment - from caring for our local waterways, to removing invasive plants, and much more! Check out some interactive activities for all ages and learn how you can get involved.

Departure Creek Streamwalk 

Join local experts and stewardship volunteers on an interpretive walk along Departure Creek. This urban stream has been in the care of community volunteers and citizen scientists for many years. Come see some of the work being done to restore and protect this stream, including tree planting, salmon monitoring, and riparian area protection. Participants must be able to walk 2-3km on mostly flat terrain. 

Learn more and register here.

Please Support Us!

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:

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