Bow Valley residents Gather to accelerate climate action
On October 11, 2022, Biosphere Institute held a community meeting to accelerate climate action in the Bow Valley with support from Banff Canmore Community Foundation. Diverse groups including students, industry, non-profits, tourism, and municipalities attended to share ideas, learn from experts, and commit to doing more to prevent and adapt to climate change!
The event by the numbers:
7 speakers
70 climate action commitments
80 participants
Speaker Series (Pecha Kucha Style):
7 presenters used “Pecha Kucha” style presentations - a form of rapid storytelling - to share their key messages to the audience. The speakers were:
Darryl Kootenay, Stoney Nakoda First Nation
Anna Leslie, Canmore Collegiate High School
Cailee Ellis, Head of Environment & Sustainability, Lafarge Canada
Lisa Brown, Manager of Community Social Development, Town of Canmore
Amy Fournier, Energy & Climate Action Coordinator, Town of Canmore
Michael Hay, Manager of Environment & Sustainability, Town of Canmore
Ed Wittingham, Environmental Activist
Discussion Groups:
Full of new ideas, participants headed to discussion tables that were grouped into themes: Waste Reduction/Circular Economy, Renewable Energy, Low-carbon Transportation, Nature-Based Solutions, Energy Efficient Buildings, and Tourism. A “theme-weaver” listened in to all the discussions and synthesized key themes:
Connectivity/Partnerships
Groups saw their areas as connected to others and were discussing the importance of partnerships. Waste group was talking about transportation, transportation group talking about energy, all groups talking about tourism.
Systems Thinking
There was acknowledgement of the inter-connectedness of the climate issue and importance of systems thinking. The Tourism group spoke about “holistic journey mapping” in relation to visitor experience, the waste group discussed the importance of “taking a regional approach” and others talked about defining “the Bow Valley direction”.
Education
Several groups discussed the need to reframe the climate issue as a social and economic issue and not just an environmental issue. They saw the need for more education to connect the impacts of climate change to individuals on a personal level – need to “make it real”.
Advocacy
Groups were discussing ways to encourage local advocacy. It’s not a time to sit idly by. There’s a need to support individuals who may not know the most effective approach to advocacy. This ties back to the education piece, and the importance of creating/sharing civic engagement tools so people know how to connect with decision makers.
Inspiration & Encouragement
There was general discussion on the importance of engaging in a way that touches hearts and minds and doesn’t create fear and shame.
Climate Action Commitments:
This “Communi-Tree” shows all of the participants’ commitments
After discussion groups, participants were encouraged to make at least one personal climate commitment. Here are some examples from participants!
“Join action group to support regularly in a meaningful way”
“Implement programs to reduce construction waste through BOWDA sustainable action committee”
“Plan ahead! I will use public transit when travelling to Banff. I will buy regional transit pass and share about it”
“I wish to be explain to my grand kids how I focused climate action in 20 years”
“This was an educational and inspiring workshop. It was a pleasure to connect with the many passionate participants.”
“It was inspiring and energizing to connect with people from across the Bow Valley who see opportunities to create positive change. I believe the Biosphere Institute is uniquely positioned to do this important work. My sense is that people left this event feeling encouraged and looking forward to what comes next.”
The Biosphere Institute is energized and ready to continue leading this initiative! We’d like to thank Banff Canmore Community Foundation, Coast Hotel & Conference Centre, Town of Canmore, and the Tamarack Institute for their support of this project.