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PROJECTS
As of October 16, 2007:
- "Sustainable Valley, Sustainable World": This Elder College course
was initiated by BCSEA member, Colin Park. Colin started the 8-week series
with a discussion of global warming. Alan Fletcher, a builder, will be speaking
at the next session, as will Cathy Slater, who will be discussing Smart Growth.
The following week's topic is energy alternatives. The following week, Barb
Wallace will be covering waste reduction. Next, Richard Hart will speak on
soil conservation and nurturing land. Michael Linton will cover local economies.
The last week will feature a panel discussion featuring Ray Grigg, Barb and
Richard, and Claire Trevena.
- "Climate Change Showdown": Nattanya Birkhaven has made arrangements
with Vancouver BCSEA office to bring this BCSEA educational game and DVD to
schools in the Comox Valley. She will be training teachers and others to deliver
this climate change material to Grades 5 and 6. Rick Mercer is featured in
the DVD. The CV Environmental Council is behind this project. We agreed to
look at the video and play the game, which costs $10 plus GST and shipping.
The Motion to buy the DVD and game was passed.
- Local Government Initiative: On May 11 our Chapter wrote to the Reg. District
to inquire about their progress after signing onto the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities (FCM) - Partners for Climate Change. We encouraged them to
apply for FCM Green funds to help start the planning process. In June we made
a presentation to the Reg. Dist. Board of Directors with the same message.
Having heard no progress report by October we invited Barry Minaker, the Reg.
Dist. Director who had initiated signing onto the Partners for Climate Change
to attend our next meeting.
Barry Minaker updated us on what the regional district is doing regarding
climate change. He continues to push the agenda, but thinks it will be an
uphill process at the Reg. District. The local municipalities (Courtenay,
Comox, Cumberland) have the power and the budget to address these issues.
He recommended that we speak to them.
- Building Green Conference is set for March 4 - 5, 2008 at Filberg Centre
in Courtenay. Landon reported that the 2-day conference will be targeted to
building trades. Planning, energy and building materials will be the main
themes. An ongoing trade show will be at the Native Sons' Hall and will be
open to the public. We have to be careful about how green products and services
really are.
- Coal Bed Methane remains a concern. Grant Gordon is our local contact. There
is an upcoming meeting in Campbell River in November. Nattanya and Colin expressed
an interest in attending.
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