Local Environmental News

by Carolyn Parks-Mintz

Author, Journalist & Freelance Writer

Green living is good for all of us—as well as the planet. While it’s hard not to despair over the state of the globe environmentally, a well known, proven antidote is action. And that’s been happening locally.

There are definite costs due to a changing climate. Hence it cannot be free to pollute. A federal price on carbon pollution was levied nationally in 2019. Country-wide greenhouse gas emissions are monitored and regulated. As well, pesticide use has been controlled and limited municipally and provincially since 2021.

In addition to its “boots on the ground” activities, the Chase Environmental Action group recently attained status as a non-profit registered organization, to be known as the Chase Environmental Action Society (CEAS). This designation will do much to enable grant application success and provide additional recognition of their undertakings and dedication.

Membership in CEAS is available for the small fee of $20 due in September of each year and includes voting privileges at the group’s Annual General Meeting to be held October 3, 2023, updates on CEAS activities, as well as following the group’s work.

Upcoming CEAS action in Chase and area includes support for a food forest and garden in Willson Park, for single use plastic phase-out this year, and with regard to hosting an Earth Day event on April 21st in the Village pocket park, in collaboration with the Chase & Area Young Learners Society and the Chase & Area Literacy Program. In addition, CEAS plans to obtain 100 hybrid cottonwood sprouts to plant along Chase Creek in order to stabilize its banks in riparian zones.

Another key item on the CEAS agenda is the formation of a Community Climate Action Committee. In that the Village of Chase declared a climate emergency in 2022 and its Council recognizes that climate change poses a threat to the community, the province, and the country, CEAS delegates had the opportunity to make a presentation at a recent Council meeting on the importance of forming a Climate Action Committee which would focus on mitigation and adaptation measures covered in Sections 8 and 9 of the Official Community Plan.

It is anticipated that the formation of such a Committee would involve no cost to the Village. And it was suggested that Committee members consist of local citizens, youth, Indigenous delegates, as well as Council representation.

Councillor Jane Herman volunteered as Council liaison to obtain further details regarding a Climate Action Committee, and a motion was passed for this consultation with CEAS members to proceed, and to bring additional information to Council at a near future meeting.

Upcoming discussions of a Climate Action Committee could include Chase Creek hydrology, a compost programme, the BC energy step code, active transportation, emergency preparedness, renewable energy options, and funding opportunities.

It should be noted that in November 2022, the federal government announced $1.6 billion dollars over five years as part of a new climate adaptation strategy. Cont’d on page 5....