The Capital Regional District’s (CRD) board is the latest to endorse a declaration of a climate emergency.
Motion passed unanimously!
— Jeremy Loveday (@JeremyLoveday) February 14, 2019
Originally brought forward to the CRD by Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, Sooke Mayor Maja Tait and Saanich Coun. Ned Taylor, the CRD board voted unanimously in favour of a climate emergency declaration Wednesday.
“The CRD has taken a bold step today, joining Vancouver and Halifax in making a Climate Emergency Declaration,” said Helps after the vote. “More than just a symbolic declaration the motion means that we will take more accelerated action to reduce and eliminate carbon pollution in our region.”
RELATED: Greater Victoria officials take climate emergency request to CRD
The CRD’s climate action and environmental stewardship priority encourages bold action on climate change, supported by the approved motion at the Feb. 13 meeting for the CRD to declare a climate emergency.
A growing list of cities have joined an international movement to declare a state of emergency regarding the climate crisis, promising to accelerate their climate action efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
All levels of governments in Canada have identified climate change as a priority policy area and are developing plans, policies and strategies to address this issue, said a communications representative for the CRD board.
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The CRD meeting on Feb. 13 saw a large public turnout in support of a declaration of a climate emergency.
“There was a strong showing from the public today from the very young to elders, speaking with a common voice that this is the most pressing issue of our time,” Helps said.