In Metro-Vancouver, Climate Convergence
has found ways to continue organizing safely
with consistency and creativity and a focus on
building the climate justice movement, here
in B.C., Canada, and around the world. Our
monthly Webinars have brought together
hundreds of people from across Canada and
the United States to discuss many different
aspects of our planet’s struggle. Other
activities have included regular banner drops
to raise awareness about the Trans
Mountain pipeline expansion. And
Climate Convergence activists have
also organized a massive public
postering project bringing the
message of “System Change Not
Climate Change” and “We cannot
Go Back to Business as Usual,” to
the streets of Metro Vancouver.
On May 31, Climate Convergence
honoured the life of Eagle Eyes
– Gordon August, a respected
shíshálh (Sechelt) elder, an organizer
with Climate Convergence, and
a constant fighter for climate and
social justice. Through stories and
song, participants in the online
event came together to remember
Eagle Eyes as someone who never
gave up and was always looking for
ways to bring people together to
fight for a better world.
On June 10, Climate Convergence
organized a Webinar called “What’s
Next in the Fight to Stop the TMX
Pipeline.” The forum featured Coast
Salish Elder Kelly White; Lynn Perrin
from the PIPE UP network in the Fraser
Valley, BC; WeiChun Kua from Justice,
No Pipelines, a student group at Simon
Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, BC;
Bill Moyer from the Backbone Campaign,
a U.S.-group known for its large and creative
protest banners and displays, and Climate
Convergence organizer Thomas Davies.
“War, Militarization & Climate Crisis,” was
held on July 22. At this online event, Tamara
Lorincz, an anti-war and pro-environment
organizer based in Ottawa, gave an important
and informative report on the Canadian
military and its massive climate impact. Then
Kawena Kapahua from the Cancel RIMPAC
Coalition spoke about the struggle against
the RIMPAC war games (which Canada
participates in), U.S. Military presence, and
environmental degradation in Hawai’i.
On August 19, Climate
Convergence organized a live
update and Webinar from the Tree
Top Resistance to the TMX pipeline and
the Homes Creek Protectors Camp. This
important action began on August 3, when
SFU health sciences professor Tim Takaro
suspended himself 75 feet off the ground
to prevent a tree-removal necessary for the
continued construction of the unnecessary
and dangerous Tar Sands pipeline. At the
Webinar, Professor Tim Takaro and Kurtis
Baute, who had both lived camped out
suspended in the endangered trees, spoke
about their experiences and their motivations
for joining the struggle against the pipeline.
Next, Sara Hall from Extinction Rebellion
encouraged people to support the ongoing
protest and camp. Climate Convergence
organizer Alison Bodine then explained
how actions such as the Tree Top Resistance
of the Holmes Creek Camp must be
supported. As well as how such activities fit
in the more extensive work of building a mass
climate justice movement. We must build a
movement capable of mobilizing millions
of people against the capitalist system that
drives the planet into climate chaos.
In addition to the ongoing online educational
events, banner actions and the large-scale
postering campaign have also been an
effective way to
build awareness
about the lack of
federal and provincial
government response
to the climate emergency – and
their continued support for destructive
resource extraction megaprojects. Over
the last six months, Climate Convergence
organizers have installed over 50 murals
measuring at least 4ft. by 4ft. on boarded
up walls and abandoned storefronts
throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, and
New Westminster. This postering
campaign covers a range of climate
justice issues – from demanding
“TMX and CGL: Get Your Dirty
Hands Off the Lands” to “Save
People, Not Pipelines,” and “System
Change, Not Climate Change!”
Banner Drops
On July 8, Climate Convergence
organized a banner drop at four
different locations in Burnaby and
New Westminster with large and
colourful banners declaring “No to
the Trudeau Pipeline,” and “Build Our
Future, Not a Pipeline.” The banners
were met with lots of honks and
support from cars driving underneath.
On August 26, Climate Convergence
organizers unveiled over 90 feet
of hand-painted banners over five
different overpasses above Highway
1 in Burnaby. These banners, which
happened to be displayed on a day
when the air in the region was thick with
smoke from the California climate fires,
highlighted the negative impacts of the
TMX pipeline expansion and demanded:
“STOP TMX!” Banner drops, which can be
done safely and while maintaining physical
distance, help make the TMX pipeline and
the health of our planet topics of discussion
at the dinner table and move the climate
justice movement forward.
Join Us!
Climate Convergence meetings and
actions are open to everyone interested in
building a consistent, creative, and effective
climate justice movement. For information
about upcoming meetings, Webinars and
more, visit www.climateconvergence.ca or
www.firethistime.net.
Follow Alison on Twitter: @Alisoncolette
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