WAYS YOU CAN EASILY SUPPORT NET ZERO IN BC November • 2023
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Unveiling the Hidden Costs of Climate Change From atmospheric rivers to heat domes, British Columbians are no strangers to the growing threat of climate catastrophe. While we see the visible signs of damage, we don’t always think about the invisible signs of a heating planet. Between extreme heat waves, fires, and floods, climate change is having a massive impact on the cost of living in B.C.—and it will keep getting worse until we tackle
© PEXELS/ANTONI SHKRABA
the climate crisis. But it’s not all doom and gloom: programs like Foresight’s British Columbia Net Zero Innovation Network (BCNZIN) are working to mitigate the visible and hidden costs of climate change. The BCNZIN is a forward-thinking endeavour designed to build capacity and expedite British Columbia's shift toward a clean, net-zero economy. By uniting stakeholders in a collaborative ecosystem, BCNZIN aims to expedite the creation and adoption of clean technology solutions, making it possible for the province to become a prominent global leader in sustainability. A hub for technological innovation and climate solutions, B.C. is already on the way to this title. In 2021, Foresight reported that B.C. is home to one-third of Canada’s most promising cleantech ventures in the water tech, carbon solutions, hydrogen, and renewable energy sectors. The challenge lies in creating opportunities within resource-rich sectors like mining, forestry,
water, and transportation to partner with and adopt these technologies. Foresight’s BCNZIN makes these opportunities possible by bringing together innovators, government, industry, academia, investors, and First Nations to harness their resources, creativity, and solutions to tackle climate change. “The BC Net Zero Innovation Network will take cleantech innovation in British Columbia to the next level, allowing climate ventures and industry leaders from key sectors across the province to develop and scale critical climate solutions that attract capital, generate green jobs, drive exports, and accelerate domestic industry sustainability. Initiatives like this will significantly accelerate Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy.” —Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight Canada THE TRUE COST The impacts of climate change are only getting more noticeable, and as they do, the repercussions on the lives of British Columbians
are worsening, costing millions of dollars and, often, livelihoods. The 2021 heat dome shattered more than 100 all-time temperature records, while wildfires and floods impacted workers across the province, collectively losing an estimated $1.5 billion to $2.6 billion. During the floods in Southern B.C. that same year, more than 17,700 people were evacuated from their homes— almost enough to fill Rogers Arena. By mid-July 2023, the wildfire season was already B.C.'s most destructive on record. On top of putting homes and livelihoods at risk, climate-related damages increase the average household's cost of living by $700 each year, from surging home insurance premiums, higher grocery bills due to supply-chain disruptions, and the costly burden of tax hikes to fund disaster recovery and infrastructure fixes. As these challenges stack, life becomes more challenging for British Columbians. But it’s not just a B.C. problem— research from the Climate Institute shows that by 2025, climate impacts will be slowing Canada's economic growth by $25 billion annually,
equal to 50 per cent of projected GDP growth. All households will lose income, and low-income households will suffer the most. On January 6, 2019, Vancouver became the first Canadian city to declare a climate emergency and develop a Climate Emergency Action Plan in order to address the threats associated with climate change. On top of that, the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 details the province’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. Foresight seeks to support this roadmap by fostering innovation, exploration, and developing the pilot projects of B.C.’s cleantech innovators that make it possible. Climate change is a problem without borders. By breaking down silos, Foresight’s BCNZIN connects everyone from industry to individual to ensure we’re making meaningful progress towards net-zero climate goals. The work of building a greener future needs to be a team effort. Join us as we accelerate the path to net zero at foresightcac.com
Spirit North: Uplifting Indigenous Youth Through Sport When Olympian Beckie Scott retired from cross-country skiing, she knew she wanted to continue working in sports. After participating in three Olympic games—1998 in Nagano, Japan, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and 2006 in Turin, Italy—she became Canada’s most decorated cross-country ski racer in the history of the sport. With a strong connection to sport and her home province of Alberta, Scott became an ambassador for a learn-to-ski program that was starting in First Nations and Métis communities in northern Alberta. Travelling through remote Indigenous communities in Canada’s north, she realized not only how difficult it was for Indigenous youth to get involved in sport but also how much being involved meant to them. “I began travelling to a number of remote Indigenous communities as part of the program, and with each trip, I had my eyes opened to the disparity and harsh realities of life for Indigenous communities,” Scott explained. “I was particularly troubled by the
barriers around access to sport and activity for kids, which I had accessed so easily and readily as a child. In this country of wealth, opportunity, and seemingly endless activity options, it just struck me as profoundly unjust and deeply unfair.” When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report was released in 2015, Scott followed the recommendations closely. She knew she wanted to help—and the way she knew how was through sport. That journey is what led her to start Spirit North, a charitable organization that uses land-based activities to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous youth to empower them in things like sport, school, and life. Land-based activities are a big part of what the organization focuses on—meaning that youth can participate in place-specific activities that help them feel a connection to the land they’re on. “We prioritize land-based activities because of the connection that being outside—on the land or in wilderness—helps to
strengthen mental, emotional, and spiritual health,” Scott shared. “This is found to be particularly true for Indigenous youth, so it’s a big focus for us.” Since Spirit North began, Scott has had the opportunity to see Indigenous youth transform after being introduced to sport. One story of which she shared that never fails to make her emotional. “When we first started, I was visiting a school in northern Alberta. In showing me around her office, the principal pointed to a cardboard box that she kept for a little boy at the school, to come and get in whenever he was scared. The little boy was eight years old, living in foster care and dealing with such severe trauma that getting into a box in the principal’s office was the only place he felt safe. The principal wanted him to participate in the program that day, and so we got him suited up and ready to go. We all held our breath as he pushed off and went down this giant hill on his skis, and when he got to the bottom, he threw his arms up in the air and laughed. The principal turned to me in tears
BECKIE SCOTT AT THE 2023 WINTER CANMORE FESTIVAL © TWO MANN STUDIOS
and said, ‘I’ve known him for two years, and this is the first time I’ve ever heard him laugh.’ The most remarkable part of this story is that watching him that day inspired the principal to purchase skis for the kids at that school so that they could ski during and after school hours. Her efforts evolved into an after-school ski team and four years later—that little boy made the team to compete at the Alberta Winter Games. It was the first time that kids from
the community had made it to an event like the Alberta Winter Games, and it was huge! We were all so incredibly proud and excited for them.” For Scott, sport has been something that, time and time again, has proven itself to be a powerful tool for people all around the world. Through Spirit North, she hopes to encourage Indigenous youth to find those same pathways and feel a sense of connectedness, belonging, and joy. ADVERTORIAL
Her Future in Sight: A Mother’s Wish for Her Daughter When one-year-old Jojo was only two months old, her mother, Adidja, noticed a white dot in her left eye. Adidja had no idea what was happening to her baby, so she rushed to the nearest pharmacy, where she received eye drops. But the white dot continued to grow, and Adidja began to notice with growing alarm that Jojo’s vision was affected. Adidja and Jojo live in Burundi, one of the poorest nations in Africa, where 70 per cent of the population lives in poverty, and, like most parents there, Adidja hopes her daughter will have many more opportunities than she had. Adidja had been forced to leave school after Grade 7 to work in the fields to help support herself and her family. She dreamed of Jojo succeeding in school, having many friends, and eventually getting a good job. But Adidja was beginning to realize that Jojo’s life would be filled with challenges due to her poor eyesight. And she was right to worry—children with vision loss in low-income countries are up to five times less likely to attend school.
Even if Jojo’s condition could be treated, Adidja believed it would cost more than she could afford. But Adidja wasn’t ready to give up on Jojo’s vision and her future just yet. Adidja
ADIDJA AND JOJO © JEAN DE DIEU IRADUKUNDA
sought medical advice and learned she would need to take Jojo to Bujumbura, the capital city, to visit the only eye clinic in the country with skilled pediatric ophthalmologists.
The clinic is called CTSOE, and it’s supported by Seva Canada, a Canadian non-profit dedicated to restoring sight and preventing blindness in low- and middle-income countries. Seva has worked with local partners like CTSOE for over 40 years, providing over five million adults and children with the gift of sight. Determined and hopeful, Adidja strapped Jojo onto her back and travelled to Bujumbura. While still skeptical that Jojo could be treated at a cost she could afford, Adidja knew she had to do everything in her power to help her baby girl. At the eye clinic, Jojo was examined by the ophthalmologist and her condition was given a name—cataract. The doctor informed Adidja that not only could Jojo’s vision be restored with surgery but that Seva Canada’s donors would cover the cost. And because Jojo was still an infant, it was imperative that she get surgery right away so her brain could develop and learn to process images and prevent future vision problems.
Jojo would also need regular follow-up visits and glasses until she’s fully grown. And all the costs would be covered by Seva Canada donors. “Globally, four out of 10 children who are blind don’t have to be, as their eye condition could have been prevented or treated. It’s completely unnecessary that any child should lose their sight due to a solvable problem,” said Liz Brant, Seva Canada Executive Director. “These are kids who are full of potential and have everything it takes to pursue their hopes and dreams—but there are barriers in their way. Our donors are there to remove some of those barriers—to give these kids back their sight, so they can get on with their lives. When kids can see, they have higher self-esteem, they are safer, and they can go to school. Seva Canada donors give children the eye care they need, so they can see clearly and realize their own potential.” After Jojo’s successful surgery, Adidja felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders. Now, Jojo’s future is bright, and her days will be full of exploration, learning and playing—just like other kids.
