At KCC, we believe that climate change is the most pressing issue of our time, and taking action to combat it is a responsibility we all share. Earlier this year we began our outreach with a series of Town Hall meetings (4 in total).
We organized campaigns to combat urban sprawl, to protect our natural heritage, and to encourage zero emission transportation. Together, we talked about infrastructure, buildings, the urban tree canopy, and the problem of urban sprawl.
You told us that you want Kelowna to come together to make changes for a better future.
As a grassroots initiative, we're listening....and we want to bring your ideas forward to the City, to help make Kelowna a climate leader. To that end, we've been reading the Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy recently released by the City.
We have some thoughts.
It is crucial to adopt comprehensive strategies and actions that the city can implement to phase out fossil fuels urgently, improve energy efficiency, enhance public engagement, and ensure equitable distribution of environmental benefits. The City of Kelowna’s Climate Action and Environment Department’s Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy (CRKS) is a well crafted document which recalibrates Kelowna’s targets to align with the Province of BC, to by 2030 achieve a 40% reduction in GHG emissions compared to 2007 and net zero by 2050.
We believe the CRKS should prioritize support for EV adoption, solar power generation, low carbon buildings, transit mode shifts, and integrating climate considerations into city planning.
Of course, all of these will need public support - and that's where you, our Kelowna community, come in.
Moving Forward Together
We call on the City to incorporate what we believe to be six essential actions into the CRKS:
Make the transition to low-carbon vehicles a top priority
Half of the planned greenhouse gas reductions described in the Strategy depend on the widespread adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) which is under threat. Limited EV charging options are undermining these efforts.
Adopt solar photovoltaic panels ASAP
Clean energy generation is threatened as hydroelectric generation has, and will likely continue to be, curtailed by drought. Kelowna should help by enacting policy to facilitate solar power generation.
Make all new buildings fossil fuel-free
Rapidly adopt the highest levels of the Zero Carbon Step Code to stop the growth in fossil fuel use from new construction and create housing that protects occupants from smoke, extreme heat, and high energy costs.
Strengthen and fund transit
We need a bolder vision for rapid transit, with 15-minute on-time service.
Mobilize the community
Create a Climate Action Committee (CAC). Include the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee and other equity-defending groups.
Integrate climate action in city decision-making
We need a rigorous comprehensive climate lens for policies, including a climate budget, clear measurement, evaluation, and reporting, and disclosure of the impact on emissions in council reports.
Together, we can make a difference, one community at a time.
Remember, the power to change the world is in our hands.
Comments