Uncertainty about the future

This blog post is coming on the tails of the federal courthouse in downtown Vancouver where the first youth-led climate trial in Canadian history has just begun. It’s a hopeful counter to the B.C. election results that reflect the deep insecurity people feel about our province’s future.

The record low voter turnout we saw in this election is an indication that people are unhappy with government policies and concerned about the cost of living and the well-being of our families. The environment is not separate from these issues.

This election result brings massive uncertainty about the future of nature and climate in B.C. We know climate disasters like fires, floods, and heat waves put our communities in danger. They also hurt our wallets by driving up the cost of food, power bills, and home insurance.

While the BC Conservatives promised to protect some of the last old-growth forests, their conflicting commitments to double down on unsustainable clearcutting, expand polluting oil and gas projects, and their silence on protecting at-risk species and ecosystems are incredibly concerning.

Their promise to repeal DRIPA also threatens Indigenous sovereignty and progress on Indigenous-led conservation efforts.

We know many of you feel exhausted. Others feel hopeless about the future for the environment and our communities.

But you are not alone. Regardless of the election results, polling shows that most Canadians are deeply concerned about climate change, love nature, and want to see endangered species protected. You are in the majority.

We know it’s possible to strengthen the economy without sacrificing the environment or safety of our communities by reducing climate pollution and protecting intact forests.

We will be following up with actions you can take to ensure forests, biodiversity and a stable climate are not pushed to the side by this provincial government.

By banding together and not giving up, we can make our voices heard. We are stronger together.