In a symbolic move, the city is declaring a climate emergency.
Council unanimously voted to deepen its “commitment to protecting our economy, our ecosystems, and our community from climate change.” Last night, City Councillors heard from the Earthcare Committee’s Climate Adaptation Working Group, who asked them to send a message that climate change “warrants serious, urgent attention and action.”
They also heard from Westgate High School science teacher Matt Roy, who says the city has to show leadership on this issue. He says “the science is clear” when it comes to climate change.
Mayor Bill Mauro underlined the impact that climate change can have on the region’s economy, pointing out forestry has been hurt by the spread of pests like the Spruce Pine Beetle.
Current River Councillor Andrew Foulds is the chair of the Earthcare Advisory Committee and says he has mixed feelings about the decision. He’s glad they’ve shown they’re serious about climate change, but notes it’s not a pleasant situation they find themselves in.
“I’m not happy that my young children potentially will be growing up in a world that is going to have some major climate challenges that will impact the economy, that will impact them socially.”
“We will continue to make good decisions using that climate change [and] climate adaptation lens, and we continue to build and grow an economy that’s environmentally sensitive.”
