Our mission to help the West Kootenays transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050 continues even through the pandemic. We’re still working behind the scenes with the working group of nine local governments on the draft plan for a renewable energy future for the West Kootenays. The working group has told us this is still a priority.

Extreme weather events, like drought, floods, and wildfires will only worsen the effects of the pandemic. The health and safety of West Kootenay residents, our local economies, and our quality of life are at stake.

We need the Kootenays to phase-out fossil fuels and transition to 100% renewable energy at the community level, including electricity, heating and cooling in buildings, transportation and industry, no later than 2050.

This transition must also support low-income people, provide justice and reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples, and retrain workers from the fossil fuel industry to green jobs.

We are doing it!

The Village of Kaslo has joined the Village of Warfield, City of Castlegar, Village of Silverton, Village of New Denver, City of Rossland, Village of Slocan, City of Nelson, and the Regional District of Central Kootenay and committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy no later than 2050. Who will be next?

Rural communities add a layer of complexity, as well as possibility. Working together and building on each community’s strengths, we can create a cohesive regional transition plan that encompasses all West Kootenay communities.

We’re building organized people power in local teams to show the overwhelming number of residents and businesses that want a solutions-based approach of 100% renewable energy and good, green jobs.

Whether your community has signed on or not, adding your name to our petition is important. Our local elected leaders need to know that they have community support to invest staff time and funds into creating and implementing a 100% renewable energy transition plan.

We need steady and balanced change that builds momentum and accelerates the shift toward clean energy. Addressing climate change means protecting the things we love. This is a chance to build a sustainable economy. The coronavirus is a reminder of the devastating impact a global crisis can have on our economy, our livelihoods and our very lives.