Three-Part Pre-Forum Environmental Question
From Sustainable Environment Network Society (SENS) and Climate Action Now! (CAN!)
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
1a) Using a scale of 1 - 10, with #1 being ’Climate change is not an important issue in the world’ and #10 being ‘Climate change represents the greatest challenge facing earth today,’ what number would you choose?
SCOTT ANDERSON
Whatever number I choose would depend on the context and what it's being compared to. Obviously the impacts of climate change are important, and we should do everything reasonably possible to mitigate them, but I find the question a bit vague. There are hundreds of issues the city deals with each year, including climate-related disasters like floods and fires, but also including public safety, economic well-being, pandemics, housing, drug addiction, mental illness, and others. I believe reasoned, balanced, and contextual discussions are called for when discussing climate change and climate change mitigation.
VICTOR CUMMING 10
Climate change exceeds all other major influences on our plant. All other major challenges from world economics, social/economic justice, landscape and bio-regional level environmental issues, individual health, international migration, etc., are already being directly impacted by shifts in our climate. One does not have wander far from our own Okanagan valley with last year’s heat dome, smoke and wildfires, or the wide fluctuations in rainfall over the last 5 years, dramatically impacting individuals’ mental and physical health, our economy, food production systems, and nature in general. The residuals of those events are still evident in our natural and human existence.
ERIK OLESEN 10
1b) If you have taken any actions to battle climate action, please list them below. If not, please explain why you have not felt it necessary to date.
SCOTT ANDERSON
I have, and will continue to support the city's Climate Action Plan, and I currently run what is perhaps the greenest junk removal company in the North Okanagan, removing well over half of the average load before it even goes near the landfill (to recycling, repurposing, donations), and what's left is ALWAYS separated into reuse piles at the dump. This diverts hundreds of tons of methane and CO2 producing waste from the Vernon landfill each year, and if it encourages other companies to do better, it achieves even more. I believe that real and measurable mitigation is far preferable to posturing and proselytizing.
VICTOR CUMMING
Personal (family):
At the household level we are very conscience of our GHG emissions, resulting in us investing heavily in new insulation, upgraded doors, and ventilation windows to avoid installing air conditioning and reduce space heating by our natural gas furnace. We have switched our additional space heating from natural gas to electricity. We have always composed our organics and limited our purchasing of products based on packaging. Now with the new curb side organics system we have increased what we divert, further reducing what goes in the “garage”. We have been on a wait list for a hybrid (all wheel drive – required for home site in winter) vehicle for 2 years and have now switched to the all-electric wait list, expecting delivery spring 2023. We have focused on reducing our big 3 activities that emit GHGs – organics, transportation and buildings.
As Mayor:
Sat as a Council member Alternate on the City of Vernon’s Climate Action (initially a Task Force and then made permanent Council Committee) participating regularly in the Committee during the preparation of the Climate Action Plan and carefully critiquing each draft of the Plan. Then pushed Council to adopt the plan and to immediately take internal actions that would begin decreasing our City’s GHG emissions (mitigation) and increase our resiliency to major climate fluctuations (adaptation).
I also supported the extensive process to fund the “Our Flood Story” and modelling related future lake levels as a Board Member of Okanagan Basin Water Board. I also strongly supported our City preparing our own flood mapping, associated development bylaws, and identification of critical infrastructure that needs upgrading, particularly creek crossings.
As a Professional (Regional Economist):
As part of the group of 7 (4 economists and 3 foresters) completed an assessment of the social and economic impacts or 2017 fires for Province of BC (Cabinet only) which included recommendations on broad go-forward strategies for BC. Prepared a community impact assessment for Nazko Nation relating to the 2017 fire up to their door step burning half of their traditional territory. Completed business plans for tourism related businesses in the last 5 years incorporating both mitigation and adaptation components.
ERIK OLESEN
Elimination of plastic use within my home, increased recycling and composting, change of cars to an Eco Feature from a larger vehicle
1c) If elected, what will you ‘take on’ to champion local climate action?
SCOTT ANDERSON
Continue to support the city's Climate Action Plan in a realistic and balanced way.
VICTOR CUMMING
I have been a champion for local climate action on Council over the last 4 years, successfully accomplishing the preparation and adoption of our award winning, Climate Action Plan. Then pushing for GHG reductions through changes in our vehicle fleet, heating and cooling systems in our buildings, and reducing the GHG production by our recreation facilities.
On community wide basis the most impactful success have been, the curb side organics diversion program (14,000 households), and introduction of the electric kick scooters (184,000 trips in 14 months) which 40% of the time have replaced trips by internal combustion engine powered (ICE) vehicles.
Yes, I will continue to be a climate action “champion” as there is much to do related to reducing our GHG emissions from transportation and buildings (mitigation) and substantial reinvestment required to adapt our City infrastructure to be able to with stand the expected wide fluctuations in weather (adaptation).
ERIK OLESEN
The biggest and most effective ways to tackle climate action would be to effectively use Smart Growth Principles, incorporate the Climate Action Plan into every aspect of the OCP Development and advocate for further funding to create new initiatives within our city to reduce GHG Emissions.
COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES
1a) Using a scale of 1 - 10, with #1 being ’Climate change is not an important issue in the world’ and #10 being ‘Climate change represents the greatest challenge facing earth today,’ what number would you choose?
JENELLE BREWER 10
There are many challenges we face, and climate change affects us all. As a Wildfire Recovery Manager, I see firsthand the devastating effects of climate change on our community. The loss of homes, belongings, livestock, and animals has been devastating for many families and individuals. We are fortunate that human lives were not lost. The cost of climate change is high, it carries an emotional toll for a lot of us, especially our vulnerable people. It is not too late to make changes and alter the devastating course that we are on to more challenging times. I take climate change seriously and I hope we can work together to create a healthy environment in which we can thrive.
TERESA DURNING 8 – 9 for sure.
We have many issues and challenges and climate is absolutely in the top 3.
KELLY FEHR 10
*In 2014, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that “it is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century”. *While impacts including temperature rise are projected to vary by region, GHGs are distributed throughout the Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, emissions reductions efforts that are undertaken contribute to addressing this global challenge.
*Since 2009, Canada has announced two greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets-17% below 2005 levels by 2020 (2009) and 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 (2015). As reported in Canada’s 2015 National Inventory Report on GHG Sources and Sinks (NIR), economy-wide emissions in 2005 were 749 megatonnes (Mt). As such, Canada’s 2020 (Copenhagen) and 2030 targets are 622 Mt and 524 Mt, respectively. In 2013, Canada’s total GHG emissions are estimated to be 726 Mt, or 3.1% below 2005 emission levels.
The global issues I would rate as an equal level of concern are:
*The escalating accumulation of wealth which will have an irreversible negative impact on the population, similar to climate change.
*Social Media algorithms and mass media consumption which will continue to divide and distract.
KARI GARES
Climate change is a serious issue as its threats can be seen worldwide already. If I were to say what the greatest threat facing the world today would be humankind, as progress can and will come serious problems that may not be recognized until it is too late. Over hundreds of years we have made significant advancements in technology, healthcare and population growth which have improved our standard of living, helped to reduce poverty levels and made us smarter overall. But with these human advancements we now see that our very existence is putting pressure on the very world we call home. Climate Change is competing for the top spot among other important issues such as war, economic instability and disease. In fact, we have seen how new viruses can wage war against human life; but, climate change is now being seen as a far greater threat. In fact, we have seen the power of climate change through fires, floods, increasing sea levels) due to the melting of polar ice caps which can have an immediate impact on weather patterns), and food insecurity which typically is caused by drought and flooding of rich agricultural lands.
BRIAN GUY 10
There are many significant challenges facing earth today, including species extinction; loss of biodiversity; access to education, clean water and health care; and displacement of refugees; but climate change is the most urgent and existential threat facing the earth today.
ROSS HAWSE 10
Climate change definitely represents the greatest challenge facing earth today.
STEPHANIE HENDY 10
We have already been told that climate change is happening much more rapidly than predicted, and that we could lose the ability to grow food within the next 5-30 years. We all thought climate catastrophe would mean an increase of extraordinary events such as forest fires and floods, yet the event that may wipe us all out may be lack of food and water. Through the worldwide ban of CFCs in the late 1980s, we healed the depleting ozone layer - we humans showed that if we united for a cause deemed as a threat to our lives, legislation and laws could be written to support our survival. As a species, it is imperative that we unite together to mitigate the effects of climate change, and as a city councillor, I will be one of 7 people to be held accountable by the public, to ensure that our civic government works toward this mission.
AKBAL MUND 10
BRAIN QUIRING 10
As an architect designing the built environment I recognize climate change as the most significant challenge to mankind and rate is 10. The effects of weather events will continue to have very devastating impact on infrastructure and landscape and will require extensive research and implementation in order to keep communities safe.
ED STRANKS 10
The heat dome we lived through last year is now an occurrence we see happening in several other parts of the world. Flooding in various parts of the world has always occurred but the severity and frequency of events causing floods is increasing. Events we are seeing are impacts of current levels off greenhouse gases. As these greenhouse gases increase there will be more frequent and more extreme events that pose significant threats to all nations.
DAWN TUCKER 10
climate change is the greatest challenge
PATRICK VANCE 9
The greatest challenge facing the planet Earth, for a score of 10, is a collision with another planet, or the inevitable expansion of the Sun.
Climate change represents the greatest steady-state challenge facing life on Earth. While the outbreak of global nuclear war would wreck us far faster, the very subtle missiles of accumulated human practice have launched global warming and set us on course for a world with extreme environmental hardship, scarcity, and a questionable chance for our survival.
ANDY WYLIE
No answer provided
1b) If you have taken any actions to battle climate action, please list them below. If not, please explain why you have not felt it necessary to date.
JENELLE BREWER
I have noticed how the increased heat in particular affects me and I am serious about making changes, the actions I have done to address climate change include:
I opt for virtual meetings when the only other option is travelling by vehicle to another location
I have leased a vehicle with a fuel economy option, I chose to lease so that I can easily transition to an electric vehicle when they become available.
I carpool as much as possible and do not fly on airlines frequently
I wash my clothes in cold water and hang dry as much as possible
I try to walk, climate change impacts this as I now get heat exhaustion easily and cannot exert myself at higher temperatures
I have reduced my use of food delivery and I am organizing my meal preparation to be able to cook at home, and waste less food
I upgrade electronics only when they are no longer useable as opposed to getting the newest product
I shop at second hand stores or on Facebook marketplace, and try to limit taking clothes to the dump
I buy local produce and meats as much as possible and support restaurants that use local products · I support local business that work to reduce their waste, and recycle
I try to maintain an electronic filing system and reduce use of paper
I have reduced all my waste by 75% in the last 6 months and recycle as much as possible, and I am informed on what is recyclable and have expected my children to participate
I dispose of batteries properly, buy bulk to refill, and reuse as much as possible, am diligent with my composting, use a toaster oven instead of my full oven, have switched to LED lightbulbs and laundry soap sheets from bottled containers, use wool balls instead of dryer sheets, keep the lights off in my house as much as possible and the door closed when the air conditioning is running, eat more raw foods to reduce cooking time
I am fortunate to already live in an energy efficient home
I recognize and thank others for their contributions
Things I will do better at: Reducing plastics and packaging, Planning my meals better to further reduce food delivery, Getting a bike (storage has been an issue), Walking more, Going to the refill store
TERESA DURNING
Walk more
Educate my grandchildren on how to better take care of our planet - tree planting, reduce water use, reuse recycle
I have purchased all my seeds for my 2 pollination gardens next spring.
We didn’t set up a pool this year and grew more of our own food in the space we would normally put a pool. Left our grass longer to reduce water use.
Bought local meat & vegetables to reduce transport of food.
Grew 5 new trees on our property
Attended the climate action committee meetings whenever possible to learn more about what Vernon is working on.
Met with some of our climate friends to talk about trees in the City and the potential future of that idea.
KELLY FEHR
Implemented community wide composting program
Purchased all electric vehicles to the City fleet
Added electric bikes to the City fleet
Updated DCC Bylaw to further encourage growth in City Centre and Neighborhood Districts • Implemented Sustainability events program, including sponsoring a workshop(s) for Step Code and Air Tightness
Implemented Sustainability Grants Program
Investigated methods of increasing boulevard and roadside recycling options
Implemented the Okanagan Landing sewer expansion program
Continued implementation of OCP growth strategy to prevent sprawl
Increased the use of lining technology/ trenchless technology for sanitary laterals to reduce the GHG from the large equipment used in the excavations and restorative works Other Sustainability Priorities • Completed the design of a dedicated anaerobic treatment process to deal specifically with high strength waste at the VWRC
Constructed alum chemical dosing building at the VWRC to ensure permit compliance for treated effluent discharged to Okanagan Lake, should the need arise
VWRC participated in the BC Hydro Strategic Energy Cohort to identify potential energy savings
Completed design and installation of the boiler replacement in City Hall, which supplies heat to City Hall, RCMP, Fire Hall #1 and Museum (switching to high efficiency will reduce our natural gas consumption)
Attended “The Era of Mega Fires” presentation to Council, the public and Fire Services personnel to increase awareness
Provided regular fire safety messaging through the website and PSAs
Conducted FireSmart Community Champions Workshop and facilitated FireSmart community registration programs
• Integrated FireSmart community sessions into Sustainability Events and Climate Action Planning • Integrated FireSmart principles into landscape bylaw update
Upgraded the City fleet’s GPS system with a focus on the ability to monitor idle emissions, route planning and vehicle usage to reduce fuel consumption
Conducted detailed review of hazards related to climate change as well as planning to address hazards as part of Climate Action Plan
Implemented the Sustainability events program, including support development community in transition to Step Code and the Sustainability Grants Program
Completed the design and construction of a dedicated anaerobic treatment process to deal specifically with high strength waste at the VWRC
Application made for Forest Enhancement Grant funding to address City owned lands WUI fuel loads and leverage the project to encourage Provincial (Ellison Park), private land owners, and stratas to address the wildfire risk at the far end of Eastside Road
Developed year-round FireSmart messaging campaigns for social and traditional media channels • Hired two career fire fighters
Seasonal staffing of Fire Hall 3 during high risk periods
Hired a Drainage Engineer
Okanagan Landing sewer expansion program implementation
Adopted Climate Action Plan
Implemented the Step Code for housing into the Building Bylaw
Updated the 2014 Transit Future Plan Work with BC Transit and regional partners including reviewing density and changes to travel patterns after the anticipated changes in ride sharing/taxi licensing • Coordinated buy local program in conjunction with Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Vernon Association and other community economic development agencies
Completed Flood Risk Study with maps to set the basis for future bylaws
Implemented recommendations from the waste management practices review
Implemented the VFRS Strategic Plan
Supported the extension of sanitary sewer servicing to the Okanagan Landing area • Implemented City of Vernon lands fuels treatment program
KARI GARES
Fighting climate change is not a Government alone initiative. It must start with each person being aware of their own carbon footprint. We must make adjustments to our own lifestyle so that we collectively can have a far greater impact on the world around us. Our family believes in recycling and/or reusing material. We have
been avid supporters of recycling what we use so that we can limit what ends up in the land field as landfill gases represent a significant amount of GHG emissions that end up in our atmosphere. We compost what can be composted so that our garden beds remain rich with nutrients that help with our own food production. And we either resell or donate items that can go to families as a measure to prevent usable items from being disposed of at the landfill. And we are very mindful of single use plastics. We always use reusable bags. In addition to what we do personally, I am also a part of a Council that has taken Climate Change seriously.
BRIAN GUY
I have categorized my response into three headings: Actions through my professional role, actions through volunteer roles, and personal actions.
Professional actions:
Changes in weather and climate drive changes in hydrology. As a hydrologist and water management professional, I have been aware that the changing climate has been affecting hydrology for many years. These changes include more intense rainstorms, extended droughts, and more frequent and worse flooding. Changes in hydrology caused by the changing climate affect municipal water supply systems, agriculture, and fisheries. All of my professional work for about 20 years that has required estimating future hydrologic conditions for the purposes of making infrastructure or planning decisions has explicitly considered the implications of a changing climate. Local examples include:
*Water Supply and Demand Phase 2 Summary report (a major project to update water supply and demand information for the Okanagan, and make predictions for the future – for which I was the Technical Lead and Project Manager): https://www.obwb.ca/wsd/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/339_2011_summary_report.pdf
*OLRS Plan of Study (a report I wrote in 2021 describing the steps required to modernize the Okanagan Lake Regulation System – the series of dams, dikes, and drop structures that control the flow of the Okanagan River south of Penticton): https://www.obwb.ca/newsite/wp-content/uploads/olrs_plan_of_study.pdf
*2017 flood response report: (A report I wrote on the province’s response to the floods of spring 2017 in the Okanagan and Nicola regions): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land water/water/integrated-flood-hazard-mgmt/2017_flood_response_report_final.pdf
*Abbott/Chapman report: (a report commissioned by the province to examine our readiness to withstand fires and floods made worse by climate change – I wrote part of the report)
*Okanagan Sustainable Water Strategy (I was chair of the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council when the council initiated this report and was also part of the core authorship team):
Many other professional reports completed for clients in western and northern Canada have explicitly considered the changing climate, and made recommendations for both adapting to climate change and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change.
Between late 2014 and 2017 I led a major and innovative initiative within my company (Associated Engineering) to educate staff and clients about the implications of the changing climate. Many of the company’s clients are municipalities of various sizes (B.C. examples include Vancouver, Courtenay, and Kelowna). We developed a comprehensive training program and delivered it to most of the company’s staff. We also revised internal policies and procedures to embed climate awareness into every action that staff take, from writing proposals to delivering projects.
Actions through volunteer roles:
I have been a member of the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council for the past 16 years, including a term as Chair from 2016 to 2018. The council is focussed on providing technical and policy advice to the Okanagan Basin Water Board. Much of the work of the council is related to understanding and making recommendations for relieving stresses on water, including those derived from the changing climate.
I have been co-chair of the City of Vernon Climate Action Advisory Committee since 2018. The major accomplishment of the committee has been to lead the development of a Climate Action Plan for the community.
Personal actions:
Previous actions:
In 2019, removed junipers from beside the house to reduce fire risk.
In 2008, installed heat pumps to fully electrify home heating/cooling.
In 2008, installed a 5700 litre water tank to capture roof and property drainage for use as irrigation water (reduces water use, energy use, and cost – to me and to the municipality).
In 2008, installed a gray-water recirculation system for toilet flushing (reduces water and energy use).
In 2019, replaced a gas-powered car with a fully electric car, and installed a home charging station.
In 2019, installed enough solar panels to supply all the electricity needed by the home on an annual basis.
Personal commitments that I have made for future actions:
I have estimated my total annual greenhouse gas emissions and committed to reducing them by half by 2030 and by 100% by 2050, consistent with the goals of the City of Vernon Climate Action Plan.
I will offset my lifetime carbon emissions – i.e. I will offset all the carbon I have personally emitted to the atmosphere (by calculating my personal emissions and their monetary value, and contributing to a credible carbon offset program).
While I am progressively reducing my carbon footprint in the years ahead, I will offset the annual emissions that I am responsible for by contributing to a credible carbon offset program.
I will investigate the concept of becoming carbon-negative, i.e. offsetting more than the emissions that I am responsible for, as Microsoft Corporation has previously committed to doing.
Examples of specific actions to achieve the above-noted commitments:
Replace both the gas-powered car that I still use for long trips and the current moderate-range electric car with a single long-range fully electric car;
Replace the gas stove top with an electric induction range;
Replace the gas-powered on-demand hot water heater with an efficient electric water heater;
Grow more of my own food and buy more locally-grown food; and,
Buy more locally-produced goods and support local businesses.
ROSS HAWSE
My wife Deanna and I, along with each of our five young adult children, do as much as we can daily to limit our impact on the environment. It's a core value in our family. From choosing to purchase food and materials, in season, and local that have as little impact on climate as possible, to implementing a recycling and composting process in our house. This spring we planted our first garden and while the wet weather hurt our bounty, we have enjoyed growing a portion of our own produce. Additionally, the learning and autonomy of being slightly more self-sufficient in the realm of food security gave us. We do not water our lawn at all during the summer, something we got used to when we lived on Vancouver Island. A golden brown lawn is the new green. We have also installed more energy efficient lights and shower heads. One of our next projects will be a more natural garden for early pollinators to grow and support our bees.
We also made the decision to go from two gas vehicles to one newer more efficient gas vehicle (the wait for our EV is 18 months) and replaced the second vehicle with two commuter e-bikes that we ride as often and as far as we can. We both regularly ride to work in downtown Vernon from East hill.
STEPHANIE HENDY
I was involved with a local climate advocacy group who co-wrote a paper to the provincial government’s finance committee to demand that the 2022/25 provincial budget reflect changes to provincial forestry practices. We met with 5 different MLAs, and asked them to push their caucus or oppose the current government’s forestry management guidelines to not simply place a moratorium on old-growth logging, but to halt other harmful forestry practices immediately: such as ending forest clear cutting, banning glyphosate, and end logging for the exclusive production of wood pellets. This advocacy project is ongoing - I have stepped away from it to run in this election.
During the Vernon 2021 by-election, I sat in a forum of candidates and remarked that the simplest thing the City of Vernon could do to slow down climate change would be to implement city-wide compost pickup. Certainly, it was not my effort that accomplished this (I did not win the by-election), but I have never been shy to put pressure on those who can take action. As of May 2022, this service began and is helping to support Vernonites to reduce their overall household waste.
At the federal level, last year, I was involved in the RBC Day of Action protest. Calling attention to the public that RBC is the fifth largest financier in the world of petroleum pipeline projects. While protests may not be considered the most effective at affecting legislation, protests can bring ideas out to the public they may not be aware of. While myself and many other peers of mine may have the fortitude to put their money into environmentally responsible investing portfolios, many people are surprised to learn that their retirement savings may have grown over the years due to their investments in an industry that is causing irreparable damage to our planet. Knowing where your money goes is voting for the world you want with your dollar.
AKBAL MUND
As Mayor, with Council, we initiated the Climate Action Plan for the City of Vernon. With Council we approved organic pickup throughout Vernon
I now drive a Hybrid instead of an Armada
We compost all food remnants
We recycle all hard plastic and soft plastic and all Batteries, light bulbs, anything you can think of Do not have a garbage bin for our house
We use an electric lawn mower now and an electric hedge trimmer
BRAIN QUIRING
I am the council appointed member of the climate action advisory committee and have been on the team that created the Vernon Climate Action Plan which was endorsed by council on April 12, 2021. I also made a motion to change the climate action task force to a committee in order to ensure the committee would continue after the plan was adopted. This is important as a task force would have been disbanded but now the committee continues. I continually educate my self with respect to the effects of climate change on building design and specifically building envelope. I have also championed the inclusion of electric vehicles to Vernon fleet and promoted solar ready infrastructure for city facilities. I also was a judge for the Youth Climate Action Summit (very exciting!).
ED STRANKS
During my career at the City of Vernon I was proud to lead bylaw revisions that made LED streetlights mandatory, reduced unnecessary road upgrades for infill development and required more resilient storm systems. The bylaw changes improved the sustainability of Vernon’s infrastructure. As a consultant I continue
to work with the City and developer’s to achieve solutions that address concerns regarding the impacts of climate change.
DAWN TUCKER
I walk where ever I can and when I don’t use the small mini truck, I maintain a pollinator pathway and keep bees, I keep trees and have been bringing in native plants and zeroscaping, minimize my trips, reduce and keep down my consumption, shop and eat local, live small, compost, recycle. I continually assess my life as to what my footprint is. I know there’s always room to do better.
PATRICK VANCE
To counter the effects of our climate crisis, I use all available practices to reduce my impact on the environment. I cannot say I have accomplished anything extreme, but as someone who has dedicated my professional focus on the recycling and responsible disposal industry for the last 6 years, I have expanded my awareness of the both the benefits of recycling, as well as the challenges we face to fully benefit from these programs designed to divert waste and negative outputs.
In my life as a parent, my job is to educate my children by setting an example for eliminating waste. In our home we compost our bio matter for gardening, and have reduced or eliminated single use plastics like baggies in favour of reusable containers. Our dishwashing practice has reduced our water consumption. We endeavour to reduce our waste and consumption footprint wherever possible.
ANDY WYLIE
No answer provided
c) If elected, what will you ‘take on’ to champion local climate action?
JENELLE BREWER
I will keep the issues of climate change at the forefront of my decision making, I will continue learning about the impacts of climate change and GHG emissions. I plan on supporting clean energy, reduction of the use of fossil fuels, and energy efficiency initiatives. I support transitioning to modern technologies that reduce energy consumption. If I am elected to council, I know it is important to rely on the advice of the professionals that are employed by the city or hired consultants, I am not an expert on climate change but I am open to learning more. I am committed to seeing changes happen that support the mitigation of the effects of climate change and hopefully alter the path that is leading us to more natural disasters. I believe I can affect change by working with businesses and individuals to shift their mindsets when it comes to improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, and I will continue to look for ways to demonstrate personal leadership.
TERESA DURNING
Work towards Pollination gardens on boulevards
Continue volunteering to sit on the climate committee
Vote yes on initiatives that assist our City on reaching its climate action goals
Work on implementing the tree friendly city program.
KELLY FEHR
Look to the advice of environmental professionals to guide decision making
Advocate for smart growth principles in the upcoming OCP planning process
During the review and update of the Official Community Plan beginning in 2022, integrate climate risk and vulnerability analyses and emissions data, and objectives, actions and targets from the Climate Action Plan (CAP).
KARI GARES
We will continue to reflect and take action on the Climate Action Plan implemented by the City of Vernon as many of the individuals who were active participants in the creation of such plan have brought far more knowledge to the table than I. It is important that we continue to take a leadership role. It is also important that in making necessary adjustments to policy and/or procedure, as a mechanism to fight climate change, that we always consider the financial impacts to those who may be disproportionately impacted. Affordability is equally important so it is our responsibility to address climate change and the potential solutions we can formulate at the Government level but with a eye on how such plans could cause financial hardship on those who are most vulnerable. Of course, this does not mean we should not do anything as the effects of not doing something will have far greater impacts on our most vulnerable. It is also important for us to continue to educate ourselves through course involvement, communication with the experts and being receptive to see what initiatives other communities have done or are doing so that we can see how we can integrate these ideas within our own Community.
BRIAN GUY
I am about to become a grandfather for the first time. I feel a deep sense of responsibility to my children, to their children, and to future generations beyond - a responsibility to do my part to leave behind a better community and a better world.
I acknowledge that the City is beginning to take action to implement the Climate Action Plan. Examples include purchasing electric cars and bicycles for the city fleet, providing electric kick scooters and e-bikes for rent throughout the city, developing a curb-side pick-up program for household organics to keep them out of the landfill, and developing a strategy for improving flood resilience.
However, there is much more work to be done. If elected, I will strongly advocate for continued and more comprehensive implementation of the Climate Action Plan. The actions I will take include the following:
advocate on Council to prioritize implementation of the Climate Action Plan;
advocate for Council to provide sufficient resources (staff and funding) to effectively implement the Climate Action Plan;
encourage Council to require that both staff and council embed climate awareness into every decision, and see all decisions through a climate lens;
encourage Council to direct City staff to develop a broad citizen engagement program to fully engage the community in achieving the goals of the plan (the plan requires every individual, every business, and every organization to contribute);
encourage Council to direct staff to provide information and resources to help citizens understand how they can contribute to the goals of the Climate Action Plan - including providing information on reducing consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions (from the food we eat , the clothing we buy, etc.) which are not covered by the Climate Action Plan;
advocate for embedding the Climate Action Plan into the Official Community Plan (OCP) during the upcoming OCP renewal process;
encourage Council to direct staff to develop a schedule for implementation of the specific actions – considering the timelines explicit in the plan, the availability of external funding to leverage our own resources, and the impact of each action. Over time, every action in the plan must be completed in order to succeed - it is not a menu from which we can select our favourite topics.
encourage Council to direct staff to monitor progress towards the goals within the Climate Action Plan, and let the community know how we are doing;
influence Council to direct staff to review and update the Climate Action Plan periodically, e.g. every 5 to 10 years; and,
encourage Council and the Mayor to influence federal and provincial governments to maintain and strengthen their focus on policies that support our Climate Action Plan (recognizing that achieving the goals of the plan requires policy support at the federal and provincial levels).
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Finally, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, the actions outlined in the Climate Action Plan get us only 2/3 of the way to the 2050 goal of “net zero”. The remainder will require federal and provincial help to stimulate greater uptake on key aspects of the plan such as housing retrofits and transportation that lie partially beyond the control of the City. We still have to find ways to eliminate the final 1/3 of the community’s emissions to reach the 2050 goal of “net zero”. Accordingly, I will work hard to ensure that the City leads the process of identifying ways to further reduce emissions over and above the steps outlined in the current plan.
ROSS HAWSE
We are always looking for further ways to reduce our energy consumption and encourage our children to do the same. I have downloaded the OCP and have been reading up on the climate initiatives that the city has put forward. I will always be eager to learn and do more to protect the environment and help slow climate change. I believe the entire city fleet of vehicles should be transitioned to electric and we should be working with both residential and commercial builders on how we can best implement new green technologies in our new builds and retrofitting older buildings. I would really like to see more green space and community gardens and less pavement and parking lots. I will champion infrastructure that encourages charging stations for e-bikes and vehicles throughout the city. I want to work towards making Vernon a climate change leader. Green and growing!
STEPHANIE HENDY
Vernon created a robust Climate Action Plan in 2021, and city council approved hiring a staff person to implement the actions as recommended by the plan, at the beginning of this year. The position remains vacant and I don’t see it listed on the city website as an available position to apply for, or that it was filled. One of the first things I would do is ensure the position is created and available, and then work with the person hired to implement the short-term “organization actions”. I would also like to see the “individual actions” created as a separate document organized by section, so that people don’t have to read through a 216 page document to learn what short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions they can take to mitigate the effects of climate change. I’m happy to spearhead this document, and address any barriers people may have to completing those actions where relevant (e.g. “increase your home’s energy efficiency” can be done by transitioning away from natural gas heating to installing a heat pump, for which there are extensive provincial and federal rebates available).
AKBAL MUND
If elected we will continue to push for changes, net zero at all new City buildings, new homes to have built in electric vehicle chargers, new home rebates for solar panels.
BRAIN QUIRING
If elected I will continue to endorse and promote the Vernon Climate Action Plan and do my best to identify consequences of ignoring climate change.
ED STRANKS
I would support a thoughtful implementation of goals in Vernon’s Climate Action Plan. For this to be successful it is important to reach out and work with other levels of government, local business and development communities and residents to make tangible changes that provide results.
DAWN TUCKER
I will strongly support the Climate Action Plan but also believe we need to do more. Stormwater is the #1 factor impacting lake water quality, Sewer is still not available to nearly 1,000 homes in Vernon, Trees are not getting protected in Vernon even though we have a bylaw that says they’re supposed to be. I’ll work to improve our record in these 3 areas.
PATRICK VANCE
I will take on anything that benefits our community, and can also act as a blueprint for success in other communities.
I believe there are many opportunities to use and develop computational features to reduce the amount of waste we use, as well as the amount of emissions from vehicles. An intelligent app that can coordinate the needs of the citizens with the resources and opportunities for greener outcomes would improve our community’s efficiency, and our collective attitude towards more sustainable environmental practices.
I envision a community where interested participants could deliver their bio waste shorter distances, without vehicles, to community garden areas, or the homes of neighbours, in exchange for a reduction in service fees or some sort of community credit system designed to reward responsible consumers. Perhaps these credits could be used to avail ourselves of other green features of our community like mass transit, or food shares from gardens using the compost.
While the composting program was a positive initiative in diverting food waste, the implementation was not perfect, in my opinion. Providing plastic containers to our home where we use our own compost without the option to opt out or benefit from having a better practice is not ideal. Now we have a compost container that we simply must keep in the event we move one day, but that could have been one less large plastic item ordered and created. It could have been hundreds, if not thousands, for our whole community.
ANDY WYLIE
No answer provided