Brooks Secondary School students attending a symposium on climate change heard several different takes on how to make a difference.
The symposium, held Friday, May 24, at Max Cameron Theatre, was organized by the school’s environmental club and featured four speakers.
School District 47 principal of international programs Shannon Behan, the moderator for the event, said that in 1971, an environmental activist named Wendell Berry published a book called The Unforeseen Wilderness. In his essay, he outlined his hope of preserving natural areas and creating long-term plans for the environment.
“Essentially, in 1971, he was talking about what we’re talking about today,” said Behan. “One of the most salient quotations that came out of his writing is one of my favourites: ‘We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.’”
The first speaker was Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island-Powell River, who said climate change is an important subject. She said it is important to be active and that she appreciates a lot of the activism she sees across the whole region on the issue of the environment and climate change, because “we are in a crisis.”
“We live in a rainforest,” said Blaney. “Think a moment about that. Suddenly, our province and our country are having to figure out how to deal with the forest fires in our region that we’ve never had to deal with before.
“We know something is happening and we want to see action. I’m really excited by what I see in the community pushing towards that action.”
Blaney said as a representative who works in the House of Commons, the challenge for people is how to get to the next step. She said she wanted to outline how to make best use of politicians. She suggested going out and chatting with them.
“If you want to talk to me, sometimes I have to call you from Ottawa, but just get hold of my office,” said Blaney. “What’s important is to know what tools are in my toolbox.
“So know the jurisdiction and talk to the politicians. Sometimes you’re asking a municipal, provincial or federal politician to do something they cannot do. So talk to them and find out where you can push this and actually make sure your voice is heard.”
In terms of environmental issues, Blaney said there was an announcement that very day that the BC Court of Appeal made a decision about the Trans Mountain Pipeline. She added that the province had brought forward a court action saying it did not want to see more bitumen coming into the province and the province was going to fight back.
Blaney said the decision by that court was that the matter is federal jurisdiction, not provincial, so the province is going to have to stay in the court system and appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. Blaney said the matter is going to have to go back into parliament and she is happy to continue that work.
“I’m a strong fighter against this pipeline, the expansion and I’m very concerned about what bitumen would do in our oceans,” said Blaney. “We need to stand up and we need to see a change in our economy.”
Blaney said when looking at the future, when looking at hope, it is important to ensure that legislation is created that pushes everyone to be better.
“We want to change the world, we want a clean environment that we can live in, we want to treat it with respect,” said Blaney. “We’ve seen a history where that has not been done. We need to create those changes. Just remember, if you want to make change, use your politicians. If your politicians aren’t calling you back, hold them to account.”
Powell River environmental advocate Lesley Thorsell said back in 1989, there were emissions from the mill and so she got together with another woman and formed Mothers Against Pollution. They joined with other groups and created a monitoring station in Wildwood that was able to capture emissions and helped make change.
“I mention that to share with you that by organizing, joining with others and appealing to industry or whatever focus you have, it’s possible to make a difference,” said Thorsell.
She said last year she was looking for a way to help people reduce plastic bags and saw a Facebook video from Australia. Thorsell said they use a million plastic bags a day. Some women got together and started to make bags, called boomerang bags, that are to be borrowed and returned. They would be left at stores, people would take them and then bring them back.
“I put a post on swap ‘n’ shop and right away, within a few hours, there were people who came forward,” said Thorsell. “We had people drop off material, we had six sewers, and so that was very exciting. I went to businesses and they donated money as well.”
Thorsell said there were 1,000 bags launched at Save-On-Foods. Five days later the bin was empty. People loved the bags so much they kept them. Thorsell said the project was a success anyway. There was education and raised awareness over using plastics and she has nearly enough bags now to put them at the farmers’ market.
Thorsell also talked about the impact of peaceful protests. She said they are very successful as long as 3.5 per cent of the population is aligned with the topic of protest. She said there were 500 students at Brooks, so only 17 are needed to be leaders for change, and that makes it worthwhile.
“It only starts with one person and keeps building momentum,” said Thorsell. “It reminds me of the quote: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,’ Margaret Mead.”
Grade 12 Brooks student Annika Krowitz said she wanted to talk about the need for education with regard to the fight for climate action, especially pertaining to youth involvement, which is “so important.”
“Being aware and informed about a situation or problem involving climate action can open your eyes to the possible solution and allows you to educate others, and essentially start a chain reaction, which is so important to spreading the message,” said Krowitz. “I want to encourage everyone to take responsibility for our future and educate yourselves, your neighbours, your family and friends and everyone you know to enlighten them on the situation with the terrible crisis we’re facing today.”
Information for climate action has never been more accessible and there are so many sources available for those wanting information, said Krowitz.
“I want to call on you guys to take responsibility for your education on these issues,” she added. “Just learn something and spread the message.”
Sheryl McCumsey, a newcomer to Powell River, who has worked in the field of microbiology at the University of Alberta, spoke to students about pesticides and the effects on bees and other insects that are in a state of decline. She said bees are important for the pollination of plant life and insects break down organic matter. The decline of insect life from pesticides is a matter of concern, she indicated.
