Newsletter: August 2022

August 2022 Newsletter

August 2022 Support for School Board Environmental Stewardship Action Plan We had another great response to a “call to action” to send emails of support to the School Board (SD68) for their draft Environmental Stewardship Action Plan. On Wednesday, July 7th, the Board voted in favour of advancing the draft to the next phase, which is public consultation. Feedback will be welcome until August 31, 2022 via email consultation@sd68.bc.ca . Announcement of Circular Economy Accelerator Program  In July 2022, the City of Nanaimo decided to support a new and exciting program that will allow local and regional businesses to do a deep dive into the Circular Economy and reap the many benefits of pursuing this economic path. There is room for 20 businesses to participate in the first offering of the Circular Economy Accelerator Program aimed to begin at the end of September, 2022, and be completed within one year. Workshops will discuss what is a Circular Economy (CE), how their business fits into the CE, what are the benefits, and make connections with leaders in specific industries. One of the key deliverables from this program is the development of a very practical resource/tool kit specific for each business which will set goals and determine action plans to reduce energy use, carbon emissions and waste, as well as, identify cost savings, value-added opportunities, and sustainable best practices.    Applications must be made no later than August 31 and more information can be found at Circular Economy Accelerator Program — Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association   What can we do as members of the NCAH to help get the word out on this win-win program?   1. Talk to businesses you know and see if they might be interested in applying. Better yet send them the link and let them know that your loyalty to them would increase if they were part of the circular economy supporting a more resilient community and finding solutions to the climate crisis. 2. Send this announcement to your friends and encourage them to talk to businesses they know. 3. Send a message to Nanaimo City Council and Amrit Manhas (Economic Development Officer) and let them know that you are happy to hear about the Circular Economy Accelerator Program and wish that it will be expanded because it is very much needed. Also ask what you can do to help this program flourish. 4. Write to the provincial government about your approval of this initiative. Send your letter to Honourable Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to name a few. 5. Educate yourself on what is a circular economy and talk about it with friends and family. Find out how you can advocate for a CE. You can start with this link on the principles of a CE CIRCULAR ECONOMY | Project Zero Looking Ahead... Summer Potluck Picnic Update Our picnic will be held on Sunday, August 21, from 11 am to 3 pm at Pacific Gardens Cohousing, 347 Seventh Street, Nanaimo. Please bring food to share, a chair for sitting outside and your own plate and cutlery. We are really hoping to share food, conversation and friendship with all the members of NCAH.   Slackin' Off in August There will be no organizers' meetings in August. We'll be back to to regular meetings in September on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.  Support Us! We have an account with the Regional Recycling South Return-It Depot at 839 Old 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!n is a new Teck. Change the text. 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