The first-ever Sunshine Coast Climate Faire occurred Sept. 20-21 at the Gibsons Public Market, hosted by BlueAct Marine Society. It was a big success, with more than 300 people learning about and celebrating local actions to reduce our climate footprint and increase climate resiliency. The most common response heard was: “I arrived feeling worried, and left feeling inspired.”
The Faire kicked off on Friday evening with a beautiful welcome and song from Rebecca Duncan of the Squamish and Musqueam First Nations, a blessing song from local singer Deanna Knight and a powerful half-hour video from renowned climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe (the video will soon be available at blueact.org). Dr. Hayhoe’s video was the catalyst for a vigorous panel discussion with local experts on climate policy, adaptation and human health. Saturday was very busy, with five panel discussions (on energy, agriculture, water, land use –– climate resilience and transportation) featuring local businesses, nonprofits, and government leaders.
The questions and conversations stimulated by the panel discussions continued both inside and outside the public market, where there were 15 exhibitors happy to talk with attendees about their climate actions, and demonstrate cool things (including solar panels, electric cars, electric bikes, co-op cars, the Fire Smart fire engine, mushrooms, bikepath cleaners and regenerated soils).
The exhibitors are also listed on blueact.org. Many of the attendees also managed to squeeze in a visit to the Tidepools Aquarium and then celebrated Saturday evening with food, drinks and music from Anagram (Anna Lumiere and Graham Ord). It was clear that the attendees were taking Dr. Hayhoe’s advice (from her TED talk): The most important thing you can do about climate change: talk about it!
