NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009ENV0046-000791 Dec. 23, 2009

Ministry of Environment

 

PROVINCE RECEIVES CITIZENS’ CONSERVATION COUNCIL REPORT

 

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s Citizens’ Conservation Councils have presented their final report to the government with recommendations that will help the Province better engage British Columbians to take local action on climate change, Minister of State for Climate Action John Yap announced today.

 

“Global agreements and national strategies on climate change are key parts of lowering worldwide levels of carbon pollution but equally important are the steps we are taking here in our province,” said Yap. “The seven councils across the province have found ways to engage individuals and communities on the critical issue of climate change.”

 

The provincial government created seven regional Citizens’ Conservation Councils on Climate Action on Sept. 24, 2008. Yap will be touring the province to meet with each council and discuss their recommendations. His first meeting was with the Northeast Council in Dawson Creek.

 

“The Citizens’ Conservation Councils were an important resource for regionally-tailored climate actions and I’d like to thank all council members and their communities for their important work,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “We can all play a role in identifying innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our province and at the same time take advantage of the emerging low-carbon economy.”

 

“The members of all seven Citizens’ Conservation Councils have witnessed tremendous interest on the part of citizens around the province to be engaged in reducing their personal carbon footprints,” said Robert van Adrichem, chair of the Cariboo-Prince George Council. “We are grateful to Premier Campbell for the opportunity to advise the Province on regionally relevant strategies for climate action.”

 

The councils include citizens who represent their region's youth, seniors, municipal government, local business, First Nations, community groups and educational institutions. They have helped to form a grassroots regional network that aims to stimulate climate action in every region of the province. They also advised government on the best ways to encourage individuals, groups and communities in their regions to learn more about climate change, participate in climate action initiatives and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

 

For more information on the citizen’s conservation councils, and to read the councils’ joint report, please visit
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pac/climate-action/docs/2009/ccc-finalreport.pdf.

 

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Media Contact:

Suntanu Dalal Media Relations Ministry of Environment 250 387-9745

 

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