March 2024

**Why am I receiving this newsletter?**

If you don't recall subscribing to this newsletter and wonder why you are receiving it, it's likely because you signed our recent heat pump petition. We discovered after the fact that by default, the petition page adds you to our newsletter mailing list. If you like this newsletter and want to continue to receive it you don't need to do anything; you will continue to receiving monthly updates from the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub. To unsubscribe, simply scroll to the very bottom where you will find a 'click here' link that will do the trick.

Greetings from Kevin Lindsay, NCAH Board Chair

Hello climate activist friends! My name is Kevin Lindsay and I am thrilled to share with you that I have taken on the role of Board Chair of Nanaimo Climate Action Hub (NCAH). It has been a pleasure to meet and work with many of you over the last year since I joined the NCAH board, and I am excited to take on this new role.

A big thank you goes to Heather Baitz, under whose leadership NCAH has grown and accomplished so much over the last few years. Don't worry, Heather is not going anywhere – in fact she's excited to dive into a few action areas this year that she's deeply passionate about. You will continue to see Heather at events and hear updates from her periodically through this newsletter.

We have much work to do this year and we're off to a great start. My priority for NCAH this year two-fold: 1) to increase our membership (the more members we have the more clout we carry when it comes to influencing policy); and 2) get you – our members – more involved and active!

At our inaugural NCAH leadership retreat this past weekend, board members and several organizers had a chance to review the wonderful input received from many of you at our recent AGM. After much discussion we finalized our top priories for this year – ranging from countering misinformation/greenwashing to getting ready for the upcoming provincial election. We will be preparing a document which outlines our priorities in detail and will share that in the near future.

Nanaimo Climate Action Hub exists because we're in a climate emergency. I wish that weren't the case, and that this work wasn't necessary but this is our reality. I am so proud of what we've accomplished to-date as an organization and as a community. More so, I look forward to the important, rewarding – and, yes, even joyous – work we can and will do together. As always, feel free to share your thoughts by emailing us at info@nanaimoclimateaction.org.

Warm regards,

Kevinvin

NCAH is Bringing Your Voice to Victoria (Take 2)!

One characteristic every climate activist must possess is perseverance – and we at Nanaimo Climate Action Hub have it in spades! You'll recall last month we told you that our Affordable Heat Pump Delegation was headed to Victoria to deliver your message on heat pump affordability to B.C.'s ministers of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation (Hon. Josie Osborne) and Social Development & Poverty Reduction (Hon. Sheila Malcolmson).

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen scheduling issues the meeting was cancelled by Minister Osborne's office. Not to be put off, NCAH persevered. So tomorrow, March 12th, our delegation will be heading to the Legislature – in greater numbers and with more names on the petition than we had a few weeks ago (thank you all for that!).

We will Larry and the rest of the delegation luck tomorrow. Be sure to watch our social media channels for updates.

Greening Rock Point: Tree Planting Workshop, April 20th

The Rocky Point Neighborhood Association would like to extend an invitation to the broader community to join in on a workshop next month. While Rocky Point residents can register now, people living in the broader community may register starting April 1st.

This workshop is a unique opportunity to contribute to our shared commitment to climate action and environmental stewardship. We believe that informed and engaged communities play a crucial role in building a sustainable future.

Funded through the generous support of the Nanaimo Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant, the workshop aims to educate and empower residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood, and broader community, about the significance of tree planting in private yards for a greener and more resilient environment. Participants will gain:

Expert insights on tree selection, care, and maintenance
Understanding the climate benefits of tree planting
Hands-on knowledge sharing on successful tree planting techniques and supplies

Event Details:
- Workshop Title: Greening Rocky Point: Tree Planting and Climate Action Workshop
- Date: April 20th
- Time: 11am-2pm
- Location: Beban Park Social Centre

- Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greening-rocky-point-yard-tree-planting-and-climate-action-workshop-tickets-857317348267

Momentum is Building in the Sue Big Oil Campaign!

February was an exceptional month for Sue Big Oil teams throughout the province!

Early in the month, Saanich Council voted unanimously to direct staff to explore collaboration with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies. “We believe that last night’s unanimous vote, adopting a staff recommendation, will lead to Saanich joining with other local governments that have pledged to Sue Big Oil to protect their

residents from having to pay the full costs of climate change,” said Andrew Gage, Staff Lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law.

Next up, the Township of Qualicum Beach Council voted 4-1 to commit to work with other local governments to bring a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies to recover a fair share of the township’s climate costs. The Town’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan identifies 31 actions they must take in the coming decade to keep residents safe from climate impacts, whichs

are expected to cost between $1.2 million and $13.9 million. (A significant cost for a community of just over 900 residents.) In addition, the Town has experienced flooding, damage to its waterfront and has spent resources reducing wildfire risk.

A mere 5 days later, on Feb. 12’24, the Village of Slocan became the first municipality in the BC interior to vote (5-0) to work with other local governments towards a class action lawsuit against global fossil fuel companies for a share of the costs of climate change. "The Slocan Valley is at grave risk of devastating wildfires in a warming world.

Wildfire management is terribly expensive and while our local governments try to do what is needed to keep us safe, they have a small tax base and cannot afford the escalating costs associated with wildfire management and other climate change impacts,” said Laura Sacks, Coordinator for the West Kootenay Climate Hub. “We are very pleased to see Slocan Council make this forward-thinking and fiscally responsible decision to join with other BC local governments to hold Big Oil accountable for a fair share of climate costs.” l

And finally, on Feb 21^st, the City of Burnaby’s Environmental Committee voted unanimously to send a motion to Burnaby Council to work towards joining the proposed class action suit against selected global fossil fuel companies. Sue Big Oil campaigners presented the committee with over 400 signatures and a stack of hand-drawn letters from kids.

For more information about the Sue Big Oil campaign, watch this excellent webinar “Sue Big Oil: A Climate Action Campaign of Accountability” hosted by Royal Roads University. The webinar was recorded after the City of Vancouver voted to join the class action lawsuit. Sadly, with the change of council in 2022, the decision was rescinded, despite the fact city staff calculate the cost of climate change, for the City of Vancouver, at $155 million/year. (As per Adriane Carr at 20’58” in the video.) Currently, 100% of those costs are carried by taxpayers.

Calling all VIU Students: Let's Talk Transportation

The VIU Eco Club is partnering with the university's Geography department to put on an event about transportation for students to try to gain insight into barriers students are facing getting to VIU. Details are below! l

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.