Leading climate action in northern B.C.
The Northern BC Climate Action Network is holding its first in-person meeting at 蹤獲扞⑹ on April 4. The network, which launched in 2022, aims to identify and celebrate opportunities for climate action that work for northern B.C., encourage regional innovation and identify funding opportunities.
A growing network of people active in implementing local climate solutions across northern British Columbia is using its first anniversary to expand its reach and provide opportunities for collaboration.
(NorthCAN) is hosting a full-day public workshop at 蹤獲扞⑹ and online Tuesday, April 4, co-sponsored by the , the and 蹤獲扞⑹.
A hub for connecting individuals from local and Indigenous governments, the health and education sectors, business and industry as well as non-governmental organizations, NorthCAN aims to identify and celebrate opportunities for climate action that work for northern B.C., encourage regional innovation and identify funding opportunities.
For about 25 years now, CEA has been working to accelerate actions by local governments regarding climate and energy and weve been facilitating a number of networks around B.C. that connect people working to implement local solutions. But nothing like NorthCAN has existed here before, says Rob van Adrichem, CEAs Director of External Relations and its first employee in northern B.C.
蹤獲扞⑹ is playing a pivotal role in facilitating the gathering, according to 蹤獲扞⑹ School of Planning and Sustainability Assistant Professor Dr. Sinead Earley.
Its our responsibility as a public institution to engage in this significant challenge of addressing climate change in as timely a manner as we can, Earley says. We have the people and we have the resources. We need to put them in service to communities that are trying to transform and shape the adaptation and mitigation strategies key to the low-carbon transition.
The workshop includes hands-on sessions to identify northern climate action priorities, and how NorthCAN might help to realize these, as well as guest speakers including Albert Edman from the Viable Cities and Research Institutes of Sweden and University of Saskatchewan School of Environment and Sustainability Professor.
Following the workshop, NorthCAN will produce a report highlighting key climate action priorities for BCs northern region. Both the workshop and report are, in part, supported by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS).
Northern climate perspectives and priorities are essential if were going to create effective and equitable climate solutions in B.C., says PICS executive director Ian Mauro. PICS is delighted to contribute to NorthCANs collaborative work and finding meaningful ways to learn from and implement findings from workshop.
Through a 蹤獲扞⑹ Connecting Communities Grant, Earley hired two undergraduate research assistants who have helped prepare for the workshop as well as laying the foundation for future research projects related to low-carbon solutions.
I see the opportunities for research avenues really flourishing from here, Earley says. If NorthCAN can help to identify these local climate action priorities, then I and other 蹤獲扞⑹ faculty members can develop research programs that will match that and be in service to that.
In addition to 蹤獲扞⑹, NorthCAN has members from Coast Mountain College and participation from other northern colleges. Earley says the colleges provide an important perspective when it comes to the technical and trades aspects of low-carbon transition solutions.
Earley says the workshop is a great opportunity for current 蹤獲扞⑹ graduate students to share their knowledge and build connections with civil society organizations across the region. Many NorthCAN members are 蹤獲扞⑹ alumni, demonstrating the impact 蹤獲扞⑹ is having across the region.
We are retaining these really creative minds in northern B.C. and they are coming up with climate change solutions, Earley says.
If you plan to attend in-person, please register via . Deadline for in-person registration is March 20. If you plan to attend virtually, please register via .
Travel funding is available; please contact Carly Madge to apply.