October Newsletter

Amidst savouring this beautiful fall weather and digesting alarming climate news — like the global temperature in September being so far above the previous record — it can feel like a roller coaster. Read on about the Eco-grief workshop next week, if you feel that way.

Putting together this newsletter helps me, by connecting with the many positive things going on in our community around climate. I hope reading this makes you feel that way too.

Note: If your email is clipped please click to "View entire message."

Please share our petition supporting RDCK climate action!

We're doing one final push for signatures on our petition before we present to the Board next Thursday Oct. 19. We would love to get from 700 to 800 signatures before then.

If you have already signed, thanks so much! Could you help by sharing with a couple of friends, family members, or colleagues, and then ask if they'd do the same.

Some wording you could use:

Here's something simple you can do to help the climate. Please sign West Kootenay Climate Hub's petition in support of climate action in the RDCK and then share it with a few friends. They are presenting it to the RDCK Board on Oct. 19th. Petition here: https://bit.ly/RDCK-ClimatePetition

There is a similar paper version to print if preferred (need back in Nelson by end of day Tuesday Oct. 17)

You could also share the posts on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

If you want to support us at the Board meeting on the 19th -- please attend at 9 am, either in person (Boardroom, 202 Lakeside Drive in Nelson) or virtually via WebEx at this link (check Agenda for any other details). Thanks!

Happening on Saturday: Climate Friendly Homes Tours in Nelson, Rossland and Creston

Saturday, Oct. 14, 11 am - 2 pm

Nelson, Rossland, Creston

Looking for some inspiration on how to make your home more comfortable and healthy to live in?

The Climate Friendly Homes Tour is a unique opportunity to explore homes that showcase climate friendly features and energy efficient design elements. You will be able to engage with experts and homeowners who have successfully implemented sustainable living practices.

The tour, which is being organized by the Community Energy Association, will provide invaluable insights into the possibilities of climate friendly living. The Climate Hub has helped with some of the logistics.

Click on your community and scroll down for a map of homes featured: climatefriendlyhomestour.ca/

Read full press release here.

Active Hope Workshop in Nelson

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7-9 pm 

Kootenay Shambhala Meditation Centre. 812 Stanley St., Nelson

Do you see injustices in the world and wish to contribute?

Do you feel sad or powerless regarding what is happening around us?

This workshop is a safe place to be with our feelings regarding what is happening in our lives, our communities and our world; the ecological crises and human sufferings. The approach is based on the work of Joanna Macy PhD, a scholar of Buddhism, systems theory, and deep ecology. Facilitated by Malin Christensson who has trained with Joanna Macy and hosted many eco-grief trainings. Come for one or both sessions. By donation.

More information here

Critical Mass Movie & Ride

Friday, Oct. 27th, movie 4:30 pm, ride 6:30

Nelson Civic Theatre 719 Vernon St

You Never Bike Alone - a 2007 documentary film exploring Vancouver's vibrant bike culture and its development as a viable form of transport. Tickets $5. Movie at 4:30 pm.

Followed by a Critical Mass Bicycle Ride on Nelson's city streets. It's Halloween weekend so come in costume. Bike lights mandatory. Ride departs from the theatre at 6:30 pm. Hosted by West Kootenay Cycling Coalition.

Sign up on Facebook.

To do this month: send an email to RDCK re: climate plan!

If you haven’t gotten around to writing a letter to RDCK about the draft climate plan, there’s still time. Their public consultation period goes until the end of this month.

We heard from the RDCK Board Chair that she has received way more negative letters than positive ones about the climate plan. As you know, it is a very mild plan, but has been the focus of a very targeted disinformation campaign. Read here for an interesting take on our local situation in the National Observer.

Send your letter to the RDCK board (email addresses here) and CC [email protected]. It can be very short, including who you are, why you care, and why it is important that they have an effective climate plan.

Climate plan details are linked here. Please write by the end of this month to be included in the public consultation

There are also still a few open houses left to go. Please try to attend one near you and share some supportive feedback and ideas for improvements.

Oct. 16, 4-7 pm Taghum Hall, 5915 Taghum Hall Rd, Nelson

Oct. 17, 4-7 pm North Shore Hall – 675 Whitemore Rd, Nelson

Oct. 23, 4-7 pm Burton Hall, 125 Burton Main Rd

Oct. 24, 4-7 pm Appledale Hall, Appledale Park Rd, Central Kootenay

Oct. 25, 4-7 pm Procter Hall, 246 3rd Ave, Procter

Interactive Climate Solutions Workshop at the Nelson Library

Monday, Nov. 6, 7-8:30 pm

Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St.

What will it take to solve the climate crisis? We are collaborating with the Nelson Public Library to offer this interactive workshop to the community to explore that question, using the cutting-edge simulator En-ROADS.

Together participants will test ideas on how to keep global heating to the goals of the Paris Agreement, while getting a better understanding of how climate, energy and land systems are interconnected. As well, considerations of equity and health and well-being impacts will be raised to capture the whole picture. Participants will discuss how to take insights to your family, friends and colleagues to help accelerate climate action.

The workshop is part of the library’s Climate Action Week, which is part of a larger BC-wide initiative of the BC Library Association.

More details here

TEDxSelkirkCollege Countdown 2023: Championing and Accelerating Solutions to the Climate Crisis

Thursday, Nov. 23, 4-6 pm

Castlegar campus, 301 Frank Beinder Way

We’re excited for this 4th annual TEDx Countdown event — in person this year! The event will be at Selkirk College's Castlegar campus near the main entrance.

Local speakers will share their passions about their work on climate solutions. More details to follow! If you have an “idea worth sharing” around climate solutions, the planning team is accepting speaker applications until Oct. 18.

Transportation options available between Nelson, Castlegar and Trail. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Click here to reserve your seat and for more details as they unfold.

BC Public Libraries Present

Amidst the urgency and anxiety of the climate crisis, speculative fiction can help us find hope by showing what an alternative, better future could look like. BC Public Libraries has a new virtual speaker series this fall, featuring authors Kim Stanley Robinson, John Vaillant, and Brandi Morin.

• John Vaillant: Our New Fire Weather - November 8, 6:30pm PST

• Brandi Morin: On the Frontlines of Indigenous Land Defence - December 7, 6:30pm PST

Kim Stanley Robinson: Imagining a Better Climate Future was earlier this month. You can watch by clicking this link.

More details here

Exciting News! National Recognition for Kootenay Based Organization and Founder

Born in the Kootenays, Stop Ecocide Canada (SEC) a campaign to criminalize ‘mass damage and destruction to nature’ – or ECOCIDE – has been nominated for a national Clean50 award as a Top Project for 2022-2024.

The National Director, former Kaslo resident, Dona Grace-Campbell has been announced as an award winner, gaining national recognition as an environmental leader for the SEC campaign. The Clean50 award winners are selected from diverse categories that include numerous industries, academia, government, thought leaders and advocates, and are based on accomplishments delivered over the prior two years.

As National Director, Dona energized a core team of volunteers across the country to build support within Canada for the criminalization of ecocide. Under Dona’s leadership, SEC facilitated the first-ever cross-party dialogue on Parliament Hill on the criminalization of mass destruction of the environment. Within the next six months Dona coordinated a second Parliament Hill event, addressing the “Business Case for Ecocide law” with support from the International Corporate Governance Network who manage $80 trillion in assets.

Congratulations, Dona!!

Read more here and here

From Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society

“Kootenay Lake is a beautiful and productive ecosystem supporting abundant fish and wildlife, while its clean water supports communities all around its shores. Since 2012, Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society has been working as a non-profit to improve the health and stewardship of Kootenay Lake through monitoring, habitat restoration, capacity building, and the empowerment of local communities, First Nations, and stakeholders.

Our donors directly support the stewardship of the lake for future generations by allowing us to continue ensuring that Kootenay Lake and all species that call it home are cared for, and volunteers are at the center of all of our projects. We invite you to help us keep up this good work. Donors like you are the heart that keeps Friends of Kootenay Lake going – every community member has a role to play!”

Click here to help

Local Sue Big Oil campaign launches

Local residents have been getting dozens of signatures on the Sue Big Oil declaration over the past month, as the campaign builds momentum in Nelson. A team is also forming in Rossland.

Sue Big Oil is an initiative from West Coast Environmental Law, where they are asking local governments to join a class action lawsuit against the biggest fossil fuel polluters to recover a fair share of our climate costs.

Email [email protected] to get involved.

Nelson Town Square a Huge Success

Nelson’s “pop up” town square on Baker Street earlier this month was a huge success. Around 80 people, from children to elders, were mingling and having fun at any one time in a safe, car free zone. This is what we need to build community resilience. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have this every day!

Read more here

Next regional networking call

Let us know if you’re interested in attending our next West Kootenay-wide regional and networking call. The goal will be to share initiatives, get to know who is doing what, and hopefully inspire some new ideas. We plan to schedule a call for early to mid November, but the date hasn’t been set yet.

Please email [email protected] if you'd like to attend, so we can make sure you get an invite.

That feels like enough for now. Please remember to share our petition this weekend, and show up at events!

We hope to see you in the community.

Laura and Judy

West Kootenay Climate Hub

We gratefully acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the traditional and unceded territories of the Sinixt, the Ktunaxa, the Syilx peoples.