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COLDBROOK, N.S. —

They want local governments to acknowledge the climate crisis and to commit to taking action while there’s still time.

The Kings-Hants Extinction Rebellion is calling on the County of Kings to join with 493 other municipalities across Canada – including the towns of Berwick and Wolfville and Annapolis County - in declaring a climate emergency.

Spokesperson Jillian Oderkirk of Wolfville made a presentation to Kings County councillors at the Feb. 18 committee of the whole session, with the gallery seating filled to capacity.

Oderkirk said it’s “absolutely critical” that municipalities declare a climate emergency. She felt that Kings County councillors were very receptive to their message, recognizing that there is a climate crisis and a need to craft a municipal strategy.

She said residents in municipalities throughout the province and country are digesting information about the progression of the climate crisis and are engaged on the issue. Oderkirk said there is a lot of power in coming together.

“The only way that we feel that there is action being taken is if there is an opportunity to work together collectively,” Oderkirk said. “As individuals, we can all do our part but we know in our hearts that it isn’t enough and that’s not a good feeling.”

She said municipalities across the province and country have stepped up while senior levels of government are not treating the climate crisis like an emergency.

“We have so little time left to take action that will make a meaningful difference,” she said.

An intergovernmental panel report on climate change released in October 2018 indicated that, at the time, we had 12 years remaining to make significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or face ecological catastrophe. Oderkirk said this is the sternest scientific warning to date.

“We are passionate that hope is born from action and that it takes a weight off our shoulders and the shoulders of our children and youth when we start to work together collectively,” Oderkirk said.

She said Extinction Rebellion members hope that Kings County council will make the climate emergency a central focus of policy planning and programming.

SUGGESTED ACTIONS

Extinction Rebellion suggested several actions for council to take. These include increasing visibility of municipal initiatives, awareness and communication to the public; and establishing an adaptation-mitigation committee. The committee would be made up of resident stakeholders who would work with the municipal climate change co-ordinator and make recommendations to council.

It was suggested that the community be mobilized through the creation of a People’s Assembly, an inclusive, problem solving place for residents to innovate novel, community-driven projects.

Council was asked to make food security a priority issue; to encourage homeowners to work with Efficiency Nova Scotia to install green energy systems and join the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program when it becomes available; and to continue to increase the accessibility, affordability, financing and ridership of Kings Transit. Public transit is an important aspect to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

The Kings Youth Council could be asked to join municipal efforts by reaching out to young people.

Oderkirk said the largest mobilization of young people in the Valley on the climate crisis came this past September when a march was held in Wolfville. This involved about 400 young people. In Halifax, approximately 10,000 young people demonstrated.

“How many kids have to stand in the road before we hear them?” Oderkirk said. “They’re really just asking us to listen to the science and act accordingly.”

STAFF REPORT TO COME

Mayor Peter Muttart said he would be remiss not to point out the elephant in the room, that nationally and internationally, there is “a great wrestling match” between economy and ecology.

“That beast has to be wrestled to the ground at some point in time before, globally, we make progress,” he said.

Muttart said staff would prepare a report to come before council. Councillors would debate the issues and determine actions. Chief administrative officer Scott Conrod said councillors could expect to see the report within two or three months.

Coun. Pauline Raven said she would like to emphasize that this is something that should be done as soon as possible, as the current council term expires in October.

“It would be nice to leave something that would instruct and help an incoming council that might have a number of new councillors at the table,” Raven said.

Kirk.starratt@kingscountynews.ca

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