TAKE ACTION! Ask BC to implement ten bold climate actions

September 22, 2021
Tracey Saxby

The Federal election is over, and it's clear that Canadians overwhelmingly voted for climate action, whether they voted Liberal, NDP, Bloc Québécois, or Green.

Now we need to turn promises into tangible climate action.

We are calling on the BC government to develop and implement a transformative climate emergency plan that recognizes the interconnected climate, ecological, and social crises; embeds equity, anti-racism, and social justice at its core; and upholds Indigenous Title and Rights, and Treaty Rights.

To implement the rapid systemic change that is required, we are joining more than 90 organizations to call on the BC government to demonstrate the leadership necessary to confront the climate emergency, and immediately undertake the following 10 actions:

Set binding climate pollution targets based on science and justice
Invest in a thriving, regenerative, zero emissions economy
Rapidly wind down all fossil fuel production and use
End fossil fuel subsidies and make polluters pay
Leave no one behind
Protect and restore nature
Invest in local, organic, regenerative agriculture and food systems
Accelerate the transition to zero emission transportation
Accelerate the transition to zero emission buildings
Track and report progress on these actions every year

We will be delivering this open letter to the Provincial government very soon, but first, we need to collect as many signatures as possible, and coordinate organizations and businesses to sign on to the open letter.

Here's how you can help!

Sign and share the petition

We need to shift what currently seems impossible and make it possible. To do that, we need to demonstrate support for these ten asks. It takes a minute to add your name, share it on social media, or email your friends.

Meet your MLA

The BC government is planning a major update to CleanBC, and we urgently need to crank up the level of ambition. Many MLAs have accepted the party doctrine that CleanBC is already a strong plan (it's not), and say they’re not hearing from their constituents about it.

By meeting with our MLAs to demand bold action to address the climate emergency now, we can help pave the way for a climate plan that matches the scale and urgency of the climate emergency.

We're organizing meetings with MLAs across BC now. To join one of the planned meetings, please sign up here. Training and talking points will be provided.

Action for community and faith groups

The open letter has been signed by more than ninety signatories from diverse environmental, faith, Indigenous, labour, health, social service, and youth communities. Ask your organization to sign on!

Action for businesses

Climate change is bad for business. More uncertainty. Higher risks. Increased costs. Disrupted supply chains. Labour challenges. Extreme weather events linked to costly infrastructure damage.

If you own or represent a business, add your business as a signatory to the open letter calling on the BC government to confront the climate emergency.

How does this relate to our campaigns?

Every single one of these asks ties in directly with our strategic priorities to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound.

For example, the number one way to stop Woodfibre LNG is to stop all new fossil fuel infrastructure. The second way is to end fossil fuel subsidies.

By collaborating with a diverse network of organizations across BC, we're amplifying our voice.

Every person, every business, every industry, and every government has a role to play as we coordinate individual and collective actions to create a thriving, resilient, and regenerative society that respects its interdependence with healthy ecosystems and a safe climate.

Please take a moment to sign the petition now.

With hope,

Tracey Saxby

Executive Director, My Sea to Sky

P.S. Sustainabiliteens is organizing a Day of Action as part of the Global Climate Strike on Friday September 24th in Vancouver. REGISTER HERE

My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. Can you chip in?