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It used to be that it was elected officials who took the high road. Citizens can sometimes say crazy things, but we usually rely on those we elect to rise above that and focus on the issues.

So it’s been a turnabout for us at One Cowichan as we’ve done our best to stick to the high road over the past several months, despite being repeatedly attacked by some CVRD Directors. We’ve tried to stay focused on current climate science and what the CVRD can do to become a leader on reducing emissions within its jurisdiction – after all, other local governments are making progress with comprehensive climate plans even during COVID-19, like Central Saanich and Kamloops.

55 LOCAL GROUPS, CHURCHES, UNIONS, AND BUSINESSES ASK LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON CLIMATE ACTION

(Duncan, BC; Monday August 17, 2020) Today 55 local organizations released a letter to the five local governments in the Cowichan-Ladysmith area asking them to follow through on climate action now that systems to address COVID-19 are in place. Last year local governments like Duncan, North Cowichan and the CVRD formally acknowledged the climate emergency. Then the virus hit, and attention shifted accordingly.

North Cowichan is about to engage the public on its latest climate and energy modelling and updated priorities on emissions reductions. You may remember this was also done back in 2013 as part of the municipality’s award-winning Climate Action and Energy Plan.

That plan failed to result in the actions needed to meet its goals. Meanwhile the climate crisis has accelerated to the point where scientists are now warning about the threat to civilization itself. Standing still in North Cowichan or anywhere else is not an option, so this time needs to be different. We must act with the same urgency we’ve done with COVID-19.