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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

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”.

Show “In Transition 2.0” in your neighborhood

Are you interested in being inspired and in stimulating a conversation with your neighbors about emergency preparedness, saving money on household energy and creating a more sustainable and resilient neighborhood?  Contact us at info@transitioncowichan.org about showing this great one-hour film in your community. http://www.intransitionmovie.com/

The next showing will be at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre in Cowichan Bay at 7pm on Thursday, June 12th. By donation.  Doors open at 6:30pm  Bring your neighbor!

Transition 2.0 CowBay June 2014

Winter Gathering – Appetizer Potluck Tues Dec 10th

Join us Tuesday from 4-6pm for hot cider and good conversation.  Bring an appetizer to share and either a non-perishable food item or a donation of underwear for those in need.

Join us Tuesday from 4-6pm for hot cider and good conversation. Bring an appetizer to share and either a non-perishable food item or a donation of underwear for those in need.

In Transition 2.0 Film & Discussion – Cairnsmore

If you live in the Cowichan Valley, and especially if you live in or near the Cairnsmore neighborhood in Duncan,  and are interested in making your neighborhood more sustainable, resilient and able to respond to emergencies, please join us this evening for a film and discussion Tues, Oct 29th at 7pm at Growing Together Daycare, 490 Cairnsmore St. in Duncan.

If you live in the Cowichan Valley, and especially if you live in or near the Cairnsmore neighborhood in Duncan, and are interested in making your neighborhood more sustainable, resilient and able to respond to emergencies, please join us this evening for a film and discussion Tues, Oct 29th at 7pm at Growing Together Daycare, 490 Cairnsmore St. in Duncan.

Salt Spring Island Eco-Living & Home Tour August 11th

Transition Cowichan is organizing a group to car pool to Salt Spring Island for the Eco-Living and Home Tour on August 11th.  Interested in joining us?Salt Spring Eco-House Tour

We’re organized to buy a group of tickets. There is now a “Transition Cowichan Eco-tour” envelope at the Cowichan Green Community Store desk in Duncan.  You can drop off your $20 tour there – cash or a cheque made out to “Transition Cowichan” – and sign up on the list with your contact information. We’ll contact you with details before the tour.

August 6th is the deadline for people to sign up to go as part of our group, which gives us time to work out car-pooling and other final details after we know our numbers. Contact info@transitioncowichan.org  for more info.

Eat Local Challenge – June 18, 2013

Reconnect with where food comes from, support local growers & experience how, with local food, we can create a future where what we eat is better for people and the planet.  Sign the pledge at:  www.facebook.com/events/381356095314847/

Reconnect with where food comes from, support local growers & experience how, with local food, we can create a future where what we eat is better for people and the planet. Sign the pledge at: www.facebook.com/events/381356095314847/