Preparing Nelson for climate change

Nelson is at a crossroads.  We are facing multiple pressing challenges that require immediate action.  It is imperative to accelerate our actions to mitigate and adapt to the changing environment and severe weather around us.

I am a climate champion. For decades, I have been passionately engaged as a climate activist for a safer future and have worked for social justice for as long as I can remember. I have marched, written letters, signed petitions, donated money, read books and attended seminars/webinars and watched a lot of documentaries.

As a mother of four and now a grandmother, I am inspired to do everything in my power to ensure a livable world for future generations – to be a good ancestor. I do this in my personal life by living simply and using our resources wisely. 

I have read the climate plans. The solutions are available.   I show up to this work everyday.  In 2020, I worked with the Climate Champions team to implement the first NEST Solutions Lab. We can do this.  We need each other and we need everyone. 

Catherine Hayhoe reminds us in her book, Saving Us, we need to engage with our neighbours around our values.  Let’s focus on what we gain by taking bold decisive action now. 

In 2010, City Council created the climate plan, Nelson Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy.  In 2010, it was innovative and robust. It was designed as a living document with assessment tools and timelines for realigning the vision and values every five years.

In 2020, Nelson Next, A New Community Vision for Climate Action was created with a set of “Aspirations” containing over 100 actionable items. 

We have a great climate action plan. We need committed city councillors who are dedicated to seeing this plan through to a flourishing, resilient Nelson.

As a city councillor, I have been focused on continuing to implement solutions to reduce GHG emissions and build resilience in our local economy, food systems, and environment. Here are some of the actions we need to take: