Our members and friends have a deep interest in environmental action. We are particularly concerned about impacts of climate change on the world our children will inherit. Some folks have participated in marches for climate action and others have taken bold steps to reduce their personal carbon footprint.

InIn the fall of 2020 an Environmental Justice Task Force was formed and quickly created a EJTF mandate with a mission “to create action items for environmental justice based on our seventh principle, and further, to diminish the damage done by greenhouse gas emissions by creating and implementing a fixed-time action plan for the Fellowship, members, and friends.” We are now a full, permanent committee known as the Environmental Justice Committee (EJC).

Three major areas of work have been identified – an Energy Audit, Advocacy and Personal Climate Action Plans.

Energy Audit

This includes an independent audit of the various energy uses of our building with the view to implementing actions that will improve its energy efficiency and especially reduce our carbon footprint. An energy audit is a first step towards achieving Green Sanctuary certification.

Advocacy

We are currently involved with many local organizations including Nanaimo Climate Action Hub, Nanaimo Green Faith Circle, Community Climate Connectors, and more through which we are sharing information, perspectives and priorities with like-minded stakeholders in the community. We are developing useful working relationships and plan to focus our advocacy efforts in concert with these stakeholders.

Personal Climate Action Plans (PCAP)

Through monthly challenges, members and friends will be encouraged to take action to increase their use of green transportation, reduce household waste,  plastics use and water consumption, as well as adopt diets that will directly reduce our individual carbon footprint. Practical tips in each of these areas will be posted as they are developed.

Greening Tree Project

This one year project builds on the Personal Climate Action Plan. The Children’s RE have built a cardboard leafless tree for the hall. And that’s where you can help. We are going to fill that tree with leaves.  Each leaf will be a story about what you have done to make the world a better place.  This can be anything, from cutting out meat from some meals, turning down your thermostat, buying an electric vehicle, writing a letter to an MP or MLA, attending a webinar or a rally. The possibilities are endless.  Stop the analysis paralysis and start with something that you think is right.  Individual actions are important, and policy decisions by our government are more so, which is why advocacy is a big part of this movement.  Maybe what you do won’t shake up the whole world, but it might just shiver a leaf on a tree.  See what others have done here.

For more information

Please check back to learn how we are progressing in these areas. You may also contact Brian Short, chair of the Environmental Justice Committee, at bkshort@shaw.ca to learn more about the activities of this important committee.