by Keith Wiley

Kootenays are a strong part of the world-wide movement to defend climate and leave fossils in the ground. Informed and active, and proactive…we are ‘early adopters’ of green, protecting the natural environment. There has been a tremendous amount of news about climate policy and renewable energy. And right now, there is lots of action pushing for a clean energy future.

There’s lots of stories coming out on a new energy future. These days that also includes defending our ecosystems from climate change. Climate change means ecosystem change. And here in the Kootenays we are strong on the conservative side when it comes to ecosystems: we want our ecosystems conserved for future generations to enjoy!

Here are some ways you can get involved this month in protecting our climate and ecosystem future:

• BREAK-Free from Fossil Fuels
  May is a global action month to push the turn away from Fossil Fuels. Events are happening at fossil fuel extraction sites everywhere. In Canada at the main action is at the Kinder Morgan bitumen pipeline terminal in Burnaby.  What’s on everyone’s lips?  Keep it in the ground! Learn more.
   
• Bikes Not Pipes Critical Mass Ride
  3rd Annual Critical Mass Ride for Clean Energy in Nelson on Saturday May 7.. Meet: at 2 pm 719 Vernon (in front of Civic Theatre). Rally and refreshments at 3 pm at Lakeside Park. Learn more.

• Disobedience film screening 
  Monday, May 9 at 7pm at the Nelson United Church. The video that explains the Break-Free2016 actions… and the need for civil disobedience to turn us from fossil fuel production to a clean energy future.

• ​Peoples’ Climate Plan
  Creating the push for real climate policy that reduces carbon pollution. This is how we, the people, will be heard in Canada’s climate plan. Pledge to speak-up in local town halls and online!

• Bikes Not Pipes Rides the Kootenay Loop  
  Departing on Thursday, May 12 at noon from Nelson City Hall. Ride goes May 12-15. Join in for any part. Bikers will the Kootenay Loop in 4 stages. 
  • ​May 12   Nelson to Winlaw
  • May 13  Winlaw to Silverton
  • May 14 attending Writers’ Convergence in Silverton Memorial Hall
  • May 15 Silverton to Kaslo
  • May 16  Kaslo to Nelson

Photo: Bikes Not Pipes riders take a break on the hill up from New Denver in May 2015