CPAWS hosts virtual panels discussions focused on climate change solutions

By LAUREN THOMSON Special to the News on May 18, 2021.

An online discussion hosted by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society asked presenters, as well as individuals in attendance, a key question: “What do you see as being the most promising climate solution in southeastern Alberta?”

CPAWS Southern Alberta organized and hosted several online panels last week; one in Calgary, one in Lethbridge and the last one right here in Medicine Hat on May 13.

CPAWS is “Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean, freshwater and ensuring our parks are managed to protect the nature within them,” according to its website, cpaws.org. “Working over the last 50-plus years, CPAWS has played a large role in protecting over half a million square kilometres of Canadian soil.

“Our vision is to protect at least half of our public land and water so that future generations can experience Canada’s irreplaceable wilderness.”

Brooke Kapeller, a native of Medicine Hat, organized all three online panels and was thrilled at the participation.

“It was such a great week,” Kapeller said. “We had amazing speakers. We had about five speakers and time for a discussion afterwards. On the Medicine Hat panel we had Rob Gardner who is from Transition Medicine Hat/Drawdown Alberta; Genevieve Mathieu, one of the founders and facilitators of

Resilient.SEA and Climate Conversations; Brent Smith, professor from Medicine Hat College; Milena McWatt from the Land Stewardship Centre; and John Whidden, who is also with CPAW Southern Alberta.”

Whidden, a teacher who has recently spent more time as an Environmental Educator with CPAWS, said “I was honoured to be on that panel because I think it’s some brilliant local people who are really forward thinking individuals.”

Each panellist spoke on what they do, and were also asked to answer the key question about the best solution to climate change.

“I really believe that if we introduce people to wild spaces, they will almost invariably fall in love with them” said Whidden. “Human history has shown us again and again, what we love, we protect. And so it will almost automatically follow that people will want to protect those wild spaces.”

Attendees listened to the presentations but were also encouraged to interact through a group chat function as well as having a chance to answer the question through a word cloud feature.

“We had so many heartwarming responses coming in; people spoke of connection, education, connecting to nature, regenerative agriculture and gardening,” said Kapeller.

Whidden also spoke to the smaller steps that can be taken with climate change.

“We just need to take these little steps, because then we feel like we’re doing something and we don’t feel despondent, especially our youth,” Whidden said. “Help someone plant a garden, go for a walk or introduce someone to Cypress Park who has never been there.”

Rob Gardner, now retired, has been involved in community non profits in Medicine Hat for quite a few years.

“Last year I started a group called Transition Medicine Hat, which is aimed to help local residents make the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Gardner.

Gardner believes in learning the skill of gardening and growing your own food. He stressed that not only are many of the suggestions good for climate change, but also health, lifestyle and the economy.

More than a year into the pandemic, the population at large has clearly responded well to using online means for community connection. Kapeller proudly noted there were more people registered for the Medicine Hat event than for the one hosted in the Calgary area.

“We had good audience engagement throughout the events; I think people are really looking for solutions. It was just so heartwarming to see so many people talking about solutions and positivity here in Medicine Hat.” she said.

Gardner added, “The good thing is that when people get together and take part in these activities, whether it’s planting their garden or riding their bike more or meeting their neighbours at a block party, they’re happier when they’re finished. All aspects of this are fun to do, and we just want people to have more fun.”

Mathieu shared a number of resources that Medicine Hat locals can refer to if they want to engage in the community of climate change. A discussion group called Climate Conversations meets online every other Thursday. Join the mailing list by emailing climateconversationsmh@gmail.com.

“For a lot of folks, the Climate Conversations group is a good way to get connected with people from other organizations in the city who are also part of the climate conversations group,” said Mathieu. “Another good resource is to look on the Resilient.SEA website and find the community calendar, as well as a map of the city that shows different places you can buy things without packaging, where you can recycle weird things you don’t recycle often, little free libraries and community gardens.”

Both the community calendar and city map are open for contributions from website users.

“I think there are a lot of forces trying to convince us that we need to solve all of the problems that we haven’t created as individuals, as individuals,” said Mathieu. “I feel like it’s my mission to bring people together so that we don’t feel so alone, so that we can come up with collaborative solutions and we can actually engage in making things better.”

The event was hosted over Zoom and shared to Facebook live. If you want to view a recording of the event, you can find it on the Facebook page for CPAWS Southern Alberta. (https://www.facebook.com/cpawssab/videos/567534644232808/)

Also check out these websites for more ways to stay involved in community events.

Resources

Projects

https://transitionmedicinehat.ca/

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