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Climate change-related events coming to Sooke

Transition Sooke hosting events in light of CRD Climate Emergency Declaration
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Around 100 people took part in a demonstration against Kinder Morgan and expansion of the Trans Canada pipeline on March 23, 2018 out front of MP Murray Rankin’s office in Victoria, B.C. Since then, the CRD has endorsed a Climate Emergency Declaration. (Ragnar Haagen/Black Press Media)

Two climate change-related events are coming to Sooke in light of the climate emergency declared by the Capital Regional District.

Transition Sooke is organizing a Community Climate Cafe and an Electric Vehicle Extravaganza on March 23.

The Community Climate Cafe will be an informal gathering held at Jenny’s Country Pantry and Tea Shoppe in Sooke where members of the public are invited to share their thoughts on climate change.

If all goes well, more cafes will be held moving forward.

READ MORE: CRD endorses Climate Emergency Declaration

“It’s a good start for people to feel comfortable talking about climate change and their feelings,” said Susan Clarke, a co-organizer of the cafe. “They’ll be able to talk about the elephant in the room.”

Clarke said many people are able to have academic discussions about climate change but don’t want to discuss their personal feelings and worries.

The cafe is meant to be a safe place for community members to speak about the issue and how it impacts their lives.

Clarke said the CRD declaring a climate emergency is a “very important first step” and signals to people that the government is doing something.

She said if the first cafe is a success, more cafes will occur and may even have particular topics for community members to consider and talk about.

READ MORE: Greater Victoria officials take climate emergency request to CRD

The Electric Vehicle Extravaganza will be held at Edward Milne Theatre and Community School (EMCS) shortly after the Community Climate Cafe.

Members of the Victoria Electric Vehicle Club as well as electric vehicle owners in Sooke will share the stage at EMCS to compare notes on joys and challenges associated with driving electric vehicles.

A short talk and panel discussion will be held and attendees will also be able to talk one-on-one with the vehicle owners.

There will be a large variety of makes and models on display as well as an electric bicycle and Segway.

“To be an electric vehicle driver is to show that we care about the earth and about the future of our children and our grandchildren,” said Carol Mallett of Transition Sooke.

The event is part of the Transition Sooke Speaker Series and is open to all community members.

The Electric Vehicle Extravaganza will take place at EMCS on Sat. March 23 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Community Climate Cafe will also take place on Sat. March 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at Jenny’s Country Pantry and Tea Shoppe.

shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com


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