Community Articles
General News · 28th December 2024
Cortes Roundup
What has Cortes done to combat climate change over the past year?
Turns out, LOTS.
This launch of the Cortes Roundup begins with a look back at many of our climate efforts in 2024.
There are tons of things we can do to reduce climate change for our children and future generations! All our efforts matter.
Cortes was busy on climate:
🌎 In November students with the Cortes Island Academy had an exciting week hosting youth from Sister Nations and the Saturna Ecological Centre to learn about the changing climate. Klahoose members joined to share songs, language and dances.
🌎 Lots of people showed up for July’s Manson’s Hall screening of How to Boil a Frog brought to us by the Climate Action Committee. The film-maker Jon Cooksey said he created the film to “make sure his daughter would have a future beyond living on a raft with the last polar bear.”
🌎 FolkU and Cortes Radio hosted a couple of climate talks including an intergenerational conversation about the climate crisis, and also this chat with university students on how ecosystem approaches to health can address climate change.
🌎 A big thanks to Climate Action Committee for showing that Cortes cares about democracy by organizing candidates meetings for the fall BC election. Those of us who are affected by politics have a right to participate in all the conversations—this is community! CAC also organized A Climate Menu to Fit Our Budget
🌎 Our own Roy Hales tirelessly wrote and/or published 49 climate articles as editor of Cortes Currents this past year! There are 242 climate articles on the website.
🌎 Other local writers in 2024 include Barry Saxifrage writing on climate data analysis internationally, and Chris Hatch who writes the weekly Zero-Carbon newsletter for the National Observer, which was also nominated best editorial newsletter by the Digital Publishing Awards.
🌎 Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island has fixed the open burning regulations at the Strathcona Regional District by mandating that local Cortes expertise weigh in on fire ban decision-making.
🌎 Cortes Islanders have a hard time getting to SRD meetings where many decisions affecting our island are made. But not only did Carrie Saxifrage make the trip, she also delivered a passionate climate mitigation presentation at the May 22 SRD Board meeting! Carrie made an impressive case for climate action.
🌎 Last summer Maureen Williams devoted each Friday connecting with folks outside the Natural Foods Co-op with her weekly "Earth Chat" on the climate crisis. Thank you Maureen!
🌎The SRD’s Cortes Zoning Bylaw Community Review launched this year gives us lots of opportunities for climate action. Advocates with the Climate Action Committee have created recommendations to help ensure bylaws are climate-friendly.
🌎 Local Tzepora Berman was named among Time’s person of the year for her climate leadership in 2024, including her work spearheading the Fossil fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
🌎 Friends of Cortes Island Society has done much to address climate change with projects like Streamkeepers, Dylan Creek wetland project, and lake and marine monitoring.
🌎 Ride-hailing & ride-sharing for Cortes and Quadra was advanced by CCEDA with its new plan for Cortes completed in 2024. Thanks to everyone in the community who gave feedback and their ideas for better passenger transportation!
….and many thanks to everyone on Cortes for all your climate efforts, big and small!
A little from beyond our shores:
Supporting solar energy on Gabriola Island: On Gabriola Island, community members are beginning to notice the impacts of climate change. To reduce their ecological footprint, some residents started a non-profit organization called GabEnergy, which helps people order and install affordable solar energy systems on their homes.
ROCK the Climate: The Jellyfish Project combines the power of live music with engaging presentations and thought-provoking resources to educate youth about climate change, and inspire them to take effective action for our environment and our future. Donate by December 31st, 2024 to help them reach their goal!
Spending Christmas with Dr. Doom: How my climate-obsessed dad brought our family closer together
Thank you for reading.
The Cortes Roundup will be coming to you at least once per month with stories, events and action relating to climate, local and beyond.
Happy New Year!
Turns out, LOTS.
This launch of the Cortes Roundup begins with a look back at many of our climate efforts in 2024.
There are tons of things we can do to reduce climate change for our children and future generations! All our efforts matter.
Cortes was busy on climate:
🌎 In November students with the Cortes Island Academy had an exciting week hosting youth from Sister Nations and the Saturna Ecological Centre to learn about the changing climate. Klahoose members joined to share songs, language and dances.
🌎 Lots of people showed up for July’s Manson’s Hall screening of How to Boil a Frog brought to us by the Climate Action Committee. The film-maker Jon Cooksey said he created the film to “make sure his daughter would have a future beyond living on a raft with the last polar bear.”
🌎 FolkU and Cortes Radio hosted a couple of climate talks including an intergenerational conversation about the climate crisis, and also this chat with university students on how ecosystem approaches to health can address climate change.
🌎 A big thanks to Climate Action Committee for showing that Cortes cares about democracy by organizing candidates meetings for the fall BC election. Those of us who are affected by politics have a right to participate in all the conversations—this is community! CAC also organized A Climate Menu to Fit Our Budget
🌎 Our own Roy Hales tirelessly wrote and/or published 49 climate articles as editor of Cortes Currents this past year! There are 242 climate articles on the website.
🌎 Other local writers in 2024 include Barry Saxifrage writing on climate data analysis internationally, and Chris Hatch who writes the weekly Zero-Carbon newsletter for the National Observer, which was also nominated best editorial newsletter by the Digital Publishing Awards.
🌎 Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island has fixed the open burning regulations at the Strathcona Regional District by mandating that local Cortes expertise weigh in on fire ban decision-making.
🌎 Cortes Islanders have a hard time getting to SRD meetings where many decisions affecting our island are made. But not only did Carrie Saxifrage make the trip, she also delivered a passionate climate mitigation presentation at the May 22 SRD Board meeting! Carrie made an impressive case for climate action.
🌎 Last summer Maureen Williams devoted each Friday connecting with folks outside the Natural Foods Co-op with her weekly "Earth Chat" on the climate crisis. Thank you Maureen!
🌎The SRD’s Cortes Zoning Bylaw Community Review launched this year gives us lots of opportunities for climate action. Advocates with the Climate Action Committee have created recommendations to help ensure bylaws are climate-friendly.
🌎 Local Tzepora Berman was named among Time’s person of the year for her climate leadership in 2024, including her work spearheading the Fossil fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
🌎 Friends of Cortes Island Society has done much to address climate change with projects like Streamkeepers, Dylan Creek wetland project, and lake and marine monitoring.
🌎 Ride-hailing & ride-sharing for Cortes and Quadra was advanced by CCEDA with its new plan for Cortes completed in 2024. Thanks to everyone in the community who gave feedback and their ideas for better passenger transportation!
….and many thanks to everyone on Cortes for all your climate efforts, big and small!
A little from beyond our shores:
Supporting solar energy on Gabriola Island: On Gabriola Island, community members are beginning to notice the impacts of climate change. To reduce their ecological footprint, some residents started a non-profit organization called GabEnergy, which helps people order and install affordable solar energy systems on their homes.
ROCK the Climate: The Jellyfish Project combines the power of live music with engaging presentations and thought-provoking resources to educate youth about climate change, and inspire them to take effective action for our environment and our future. Donate by December 31st, 2024 to help them reach their goal!
Spending Christmas with Dr. Doom: How my climate-obsessed dad brought our family closer together
Thank you for reading.
The Cortes Roundup will be coming to you at least once per month with stories, events and action relating to climate, local and beyond.
Happy New Year!
