Monday, April 22, 2019 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND
~ West Shore Voice News
Today April 22 is Earth Day, now recognized around the world as a reminder to pay attention to the well-being of the planet.
In the Sooke area, where Premier John Horgan is the MLA, there was a cleanup at Whiffin Spit last weekend (April 14, organized by Surfrider Vancouver Island) during which 1,520 lbs of debris was collected in two hours by 80 volunteers..
And coming up next weekend is another region-wide cleanup around Sooke including East Sooke, Sooke, Otter Point, Shirley and Pacheedaht Nation (April 27 & 28, organized by Zero Waste Sooke – to volunteer: contact).
Today Premier Horgan and George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, issued the following statement as British Columbians join the world in celebrating Earth Day:
“On Earth Day, we reaffirm our commitment to rise to the challenge of climate change and protect our shared environment now, and for future generations. We are incredibly lucky to live in this extraordinary province, with beautiful mountains, pristine wilderness, rivers and lakes, and wild coastline. We have a responsibility to make sure all we enjoy today is there for our children and grandchildren. Our government is taking that responsibility seriously.”
“The challenges of climate change are global, but the impact is all too clear here in B.C. Unprecedented wildfires and floods have hurt people, communities and businesses throughout our province. Our government is taking action. We have emission reduction targets that are amongst the strongest in the world, backed by an aggressive climate action strategy. Through our CleanBC plan, we’re rising to the challenge of climate change and building a strong, sustainable, low-carbon economy while creating jobs and economic opportunities for people, businesses and communities in every part of B.C.”
“Over time, CleanBC will make how we get around, how we work and how we heat our homes more efficient. It will make cleaner options more convenient, available and affordable. And it will support industries and investments in low-carbon products, services and pollution-reducing technologies. We’re also leading the country in conserving land and inland waterways through a rich and robust network of parks, protected areas and other conservation measures. We have the highest percentage of land protected compared to all provinces and territories.”
“As we celebrate Earth Day 2019, we ask you to do what you can, as an individual, a family and a community, to move toward a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future B.C.’s strength is our people. It’s time to come together to create a better and cleaner province today and tomorrow.”
Also today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who has spent a few days of this Easter long weekend on Vancouver Island (including surfing at Tofino), issued a statement, including:
“Climate change is already affecting us here at home. Canada’s North is heating up at three times the global average. Glaciers are shrinking. Sea levels are rising. Our oceans are warming and acidifying as they trap carbon dioxide. Floods, fires, heat waves, tornadoes – extreme weather phenomena are becoming more intense and more frequent, threatening communities across the country,” it was stated in a release from the Prime Minister’s office April 22.
“People around the globe are already facing the devastating effects of climate change. And from the IPCC report last fall to the recent Canada’s Changing Climate report, the outlook is clear: only with ambitious, concerted action can we safeguard the environment we all depend on, for our generation and the next. Today, we come together as a world to fight for our future,” said Trudeau in a news release today.
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Link to the April 19, 2019 Earth Day & Easter Weekend Issue of West Shore Voice News