Pottery, Art, and the Sunshine.

Written by Jordan Brenda, Video by Keelan Bourdon

Climate Change Is Hurting the Planet

Climate change and sustainability has been a growing topic in today’s world, and very much in our region as well.

In B.C. alone, heat waves, flooding, and extreme cold have been at the forefront of problems the province has faced this year, leading people to look for ways to preserve the planet.

Green Okanagan (GO) is a local non-profit dedicated to progressing sustainability from an individual level, and is educating the community about the ways they can live a sustainable lifestyle. 

Executive Director of GO, Shayne Meechan, and her fellow co-founder, Kayla Bruce, saw a need in the community to share experiences of journeying towards living more sustainably.

“Initially, it was about introducing the community to the idea of zero waste living, but we’ve really grown it to more about developing sustainability literacy in our community,” Meechan said.

She added they’re helping unpacking complex issues related to sustainability, into ways that people can easily understand and take action on.

The GO website has a ‘shop local directory’, which has grown to well over 400 local businesses throughout the Okanagan that all have an element of sustainability to them.

“We’ve also partnered with schools… on programs that help students understand sustainability, and how they can take action to improve the sustainability of our planet and our community,” Meechan said.

Zero Waste Living

“Zero Waste living is all about less being more,” Meechan said.

She added it’s not about necessarily getting to zero waste, but rather living in a way that’s conscious about the impact you’re having on your community and the planet.

“We all have an impact as individuals, and it’s a really good way for individuals to track and manage their impact from a waste perspective.

A few go-to things Meechan uses for sustainable living, include her reusable water bottle, her produce bags, and grocery bag.

“It’s not about collecting items that are going to collect dust in your house, it’s about collecting items and bringing items into your life that you’re going to use.

She added that being a more mindful consumer is imperative.

“You only need to look at the daily news to see how our planet is really facing a lot of challenges because of consumerism,” Meechan said.

“I think becoming a conscious consumer, and striving towards living a zero waste lifestyle is going to become increasingly important into the future.”

A local business offering sustainable choices for the community is Chick Peace.

The company is a zero waste refill store, with a goal to divert single use plastics from the landfill and empower customers to become conscious consumers.

“The planet needs us,” Owner of Chick Peace, Allisha Heidt said.

“Our planet is in such a delicate spot right now, and reducing waste is one of the most effective and essential ways that we can preserve our planet,” she added.

Heidt’s business tries to support local as much as possible,  so customers don’t have to wonder where their products are coming from.

“I don’t think that business should be profits over passion, I believe it should be passion over profit, and people over profit, and I think that the business I have created has done just that.”

Eco-Anxiety

As the threat of climate change and environmental disaster increases, so do peoples worries. This has led to a mental stress known as eco-anxiety. 

“The extreme floods, fires, and other environmental disasters that are caused by climate change, are causing a lot of people worries, stress, depression, [and] anxiety,” Meechan said.

She added that the way she copes with her eco-anxiety is by getting educated.

“So looking for sources of information that not only share the situation, but also provide opportunities for you to take action, and provide you uplifting stories of all the positive activities that are happening to combat climate change,” Meechan said.