Cool Communities-Get Involved

Every day, the news is full of reports of extreme weather activities-deadly tornados and floods, extreme temperatures, torrential downpours, and droughts. And that's just the weather. Across continents, strange things are happening. Arctic ice is melting so fast, ships will soon be able to travel where none have travelled before. Icebergs in Greenland are disappearing. Coral reefs in the Caribbean are dying. Animals are migrating, species are vanishing.
It's called global warming But it's not too late. Humans created this mess. We can stop it. But it's going to take all of us, working together.
This fall, BCGEU members, together with environmental and community activists, are launching a "cool communities" campaign across B.C.
Campaign teams will be lobbying municipal councils to take action on local environmental issues - from increasing food security and buying local food, to developing and enforcing anti-sprawl land-use policies, to expanding public transportation.
BCGEU President George Heyman said that the campaign is designed to build on what local governments are already doing to address global warming, and "go a step further."
Heyman notes that some municipalities have already taken steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
"Mission is saving $74,000 a year through energy-efficient upgrades and retrofits to its leisure centre. Richmond has implemented a purchasing policy that gives preference to environmentally responsible products and services. We want more communities to step up to the plate. It's no longer a question of can we afford to be environmentally conscious. We can't afford not to.
"It means a commitment and lifestyle change, like buying locally produced food. The average meal travels 2,400 kilometres from the field to your table. Buying locally reduces greenhouse gases and pollutants from transportation - eating healthier, fresher, better-tasting food while creating local jobs."
The campaign is the brainchild of a group of BCGEU activists who attended the 2007 labour institute campaign school. Each of the 17 activists, who represent a cross-section of components and areas, will spearhead the campaign in their own community. They are currently looking for members like you to sign up.

If you are interested in working on the campaign, send an e-mail to: coolcommunities@bcgeu.ca, and check: www.coolcommunities.ca.