Cowichan Climate Hub

The Cowichan Climate Hub works to foster community awareness about the climate emergency and engage in collaborative conversations to achieve solutions-focused climate action locally. We are a collaboration of local groups seeking to support and work together with local government so no one is left behind.

Transition Cowichan is pleased to be one of the founding groups of the Cowichan Climate Hub – a diverse group of social benefit and environmental non-profits, faith groups, farmers, fishers, small businesses, schools, labour groups and others concerned about the climate emergency – who want to engage constructively with local government and move our communities toward solutions that make a difference.

Climate change, and the increasing weather extremes it’s bringing our way, affect just about everything in our lives – food security, housing, our mental and physical health.

The Cowichan Climate Hub has the following purposes:
• to foster increased community awareness about the climate emergency;
• to engage in collaborative conversations, including with local governments, First Nations and others, to achieve increased solutions-focused climate action locally; and
• to work together as a community and with local government so no one is left behind.

The Cowichan Climate Hub is part of Canada’s Climate Hub Network which supports over 1200 non-partisan local climate initiatives in 600 communities and regions across Canada with tools and resources to coordinate our efforts to maximize our impact in addressing the climate crisis.

In 2019 and 2020, before coming together as a Climate Hub, fifty+ local groups, churches, unions and businesses sent letters to our five Cowichan governments, asking them to declare a climate emergency and take timely, effective action to meet this crisis. Duncan, North Cowichan, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), Ladysmith and Lake Cowichan all declared or in some way acknowledged that we are in a climate emergency. This was an encouraging beginning, and follow-up action has been slower in coming, while climate impacts continue to grow. Coming together as concerned citizens and supporting timely and meaningful climate action in our communities right now really matters.


COVID-19, understandably, dominated local government’s bandwidth beginning in 2020. It also showed us that together we can mobilize locally to address an emergency. Meanwhile, the climate conversation has lost some momentum. It’s time to get that conversation back on track and we are starting to see that happening in the Official Community Plan (OCP) renewal processes underway in our region and its cities and towns. This is a critical time for us to demonstrate the broad support that does exist for stronger climate action across all sectors of our communities so more local politicians find the motivation and courage to act with the urgency needed The OCP engagement processes at the CVRD, the Municipality of North Cowichan, and other communities within our region are opportunities for local groups and individual citizens to engage and advocate for the urgent action needed in this climate emergency.

We invite you to join us and others as we build a strong Cowichan Climate Hub by adding your voice to the voices of others concerned about the climate emergency who want to move our communities toward solutions that make a difference. Climate change, and the increasing weather extremes it’s bringing our way, affect just about everything in our lives – food security, housing, our mental and physical health, how we get around our community…

Are you a part of a group that might be interested in joining a local, constructive and collaborative conversation about climate solutions here at the local level? Would you like to be on the Hub’s email list to be kept up-to-date on opportunities for input, information sessions and events. Contact the Cowichan Climate Hub at cowichan@climatehub.ca to find out more. If your group, church, farm or business is ready to join us at the Cowichan Climate Hub, here’s where to sign up.

REQUEST to LOCAL GOVERNMENT to REDUCE GHG EMISSIONS in the BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The Cowichan Climate Hub has written to all five local governments in the Cowichan Valley, asking them to commit to getting fossil fuel emissions, both natural gas and oil, out of the built environment in the Cowichan Valley, starting with requirements for new construction by 2023. Buildings generate nearly 40% of annual global CO2 emissions globally – more than 40% in North American communities. Of those total emissions, building operations are responsible for 30% annually, almost all from space and water heating using oil and gas.

Here below is the Climate Hub’s letter to the CVRD, where the Hub is facilitating a Community Circle on Climate Mitigation and Adapation as part of CVRD’s Harmonized OCP process. The same letter has been sent to the Municipality of North Cowichan, which has referred the request to their Environmental Advisory Committee and staff for consideration, and to the City of Duncan, which has also responded. as well as the Towns of Ladysmith and Lake Cowichan. We’re pleased to see a community dialogue beginning.

Charged Up Festival of Climate Alternatives – Sept 21, 2019 – Repair, Share & Re-skill

Youth Climate Strike – Sept 20, 2019

Earth Guardians- Cowichan Valley led Climate Strike, Duncan BC
Transition Cowichan’s Sandy McPherson – local climate action is critical
Transition Cowichan’s Miyo Stevens

“The Work that Reconnects” Retreat – Feb 10th – 11th, 2018 – Providence Farm, Duncan

 Weekend Workshop/Retreat Feb 10-11th, 9–5pm, Providence Farm (on the traditional and unceded territory of the Quw’utsun People), St. Anne’s Building, 1843 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan, $140 (limited space – advance registration required)
Transition Cowichan and the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre are pleased to bring Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler back to the Cowichan Valley to lead a two-day “Work That Reconnects – Reconnecting to Life” Retreat. Maggie and Jackie – educators, activists and facilitators who trained with eco-Buddhist philosopher Joanna Macy — have co-facilitated this experiential process for over sixteen years.
Rooted in a pioneering form of group work developed by eco-Buddhist philosopher Joanna Macy, this workshop/retreat will integrate a wide range of ideas and experiential processes, as well as time in nature. Participants will be supported to engage heart, mind and spirit in the task of renewing our connection to ourselves, our community and all life on earth. “The Work that Reconnects” emerges from the historical movements for social justice and for environmental sustainability as well as from spiritual traditions that honour the earth as sacred. It draws on the ideas and processes of deep ecology, systems theory and modern science.
If you’ve been overwhelmed by the unravelling of our world over the past year(..or years) – the climate crisis, species extinction, violent conflict, increasing inequality – this is a time for connection and renewal. Through experiencing our full range of feelings about our planetary crisis and deepening our understanding about our connection to all life, we can find courage and resilience to support ourselves and each other through these challenging times – and find meaningful and nourishing ways to engage in the work that is needed.
We hope you will join us.
This two-day non-residential retreat on Feb 10th-11th is $140 per person. Some partial bursaries are available. Space is limited so registration is required. We ask that participants bring their lunches. Coffee, tea and healthy snacks will be provided. For information and registration contact: info@transitioncowichan.org.
If you need a place to stay, billeting can be arranged.
For more information about Jackie and Maggie and their work see: www.reconnectingtolife.org

24 Hour Eat Local Challenge May 30th, 2017

Town Hall to Discuss the LEAP Manifesto – Duncan United, Jan 29, 1:30 – 3:30pm

Join us January 29th from 1:30 – 3:30 at Duncan United Church for a conversation hosted by the Council of Canadians on how we make “The Leap” to a more just and climate resilient community and world. Stop by our table and have a chat. We’d love to have your input on how we can act locally to make “The Leap”.

The Work that Reconnects Retreat – Nov 26th & 27th

TWTR Renew  Re-engage poster2b

5th Annual Cowichan Eat Local Challenge – May 24th

Eat Local Challenge poster 2016

Are You Interested in a Cowichan Repair Café?

You’ve heard of the 3R’s…..Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. Are interested in adding Repair to this mantra?

Are you a fixer?    Do you have items you would rather learn to fix than throw “away”?

RC-logo-smToss it away? No way!

Repair cafés enlist volunteer fixers to help community members fix broken household items and teach them basic repair skills.
They help shift us from a throw-away to fix-it society! (I know many of you have been hungry for this type of solution.)

Most of the fixers are hobbyists who enjoy helping others and want to keep items out of the landfill.  Fixers can repair computers, toasters, lamps, chairs, clothes, jewelry, books and more!

Let us know if you are interested in being a fixer, helping to organize a Repair Café day or interested in getting help with fixing something – Reply to info@transitioncowichan.org if a Cowichan Repair Café interests you!

 

Do We Have the Wisdom to Survive? Film & Discussion – Thurs, Feb 11th, 7pm Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, Hecate Park, Cowichan Bay

wts_screeningposter Nature Centre feb11