Organizers of Powell River’s upcoming climate march are hoping to send a message of support to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Canadian-representatives while they are in Paris attending the United Nations Climate Change talks.
Around the world, in more than 2,000 communities, climate walks are planned for Sunday, November, 29, the day before world leaders meet in France.
“The issue of climate change is very connected with the sustainability movement,” said Jack Anderson, an organizer of the Powell River event. “The march is to raise awareness and support the prime minister at the conference.”
While climate change may be a global phenomenon, Anderson said that much of the weight of leadership for moving the issue forward in Canada has fallen on the shoulders of municipal governments.
He said he is impressed by the dedication City of Powell River has put into crafting its Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, released this summer.
“It covers all the bases, but we need to sequester more carbon in the soil and there’s a lot to be done with solid waste and greenhouse gas,” said Anderson. “People do not realize how big this is and how big the changes that are required are.”
City of Powell River councillor CaroleAnn Leishman will be giving a short presentation at the Patricia Theatre after the showing of Canadian filmmaker and journalist Avi Lewis’ documentary, This Changes Everything.
Leishman said she plans to talk about the sustainability plan and what the city is doing to reduce its carbon footprint and greenhouse-gas emissions. Leishman said she is feeling very positive, compared to previous climate change talks, because Canada is attending this time.
Powell River’s climate march begins at 12:30 pm at Willingdon Beach. For more information, readers can call Anderson at 604.483.2419.
