Climate change

The decisions we make today shape the future.

In 2023, we’ve seen a disturbing shift back to climate change denial, or climate action delay, from the other political parties in BC. The BC Greens remain consistent in our position: urgent action on climate change is necessary, and policies must be rooted in science and evidence. 

More than ever, we need climate action that focuses on the well-being of people, communities, and nature, and recognizes that good climate policy is also good economic policy.

We must continue to hold the provincial government accountable to its climate commitments, and not allow climate denial schemes in BC politics to undo decades of hard work. If we work together, we can protect the future of British Columbia, and create a province where we can all thrive.

 

The extraction and burning of fossil fuels poses a risk to human health and exacerbates the climate crisis. The province needs to reconsider its promotion and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure.

Forests are the lungs of the planet, and protecting old-growth forests is crucial for the future of our province. We cannot continue clearcutting these vital ecosystems.

Prioritizing investments in public transit and establishing zero-emissions transportation systems is essential for our well-being. Safe and affordable transportation options help keep British Columbians moving!

Protecting our waterways is essential for sustainability. By updating infrastructure and reducing the impact of industries, we can secure our watersheds and coastal regions for the future.

Climate change is impacting weather patterns, leading to more extreme weather events across British Columbia. By updating emergency response capabilities and funding support mechanisms, we can build resilient communities and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Fish and wildlife populations are in crisis due to climate change and a lack of funding for habitat conservation. Through responsible management, we can work to heal and restore B.C.'s incredible beauty and biodiversity.

BC NDP fail to protect vulnerable British Columbians from heat-related deaths

VICTORIA, B.C. – Today, a report was released to the Chief Coroner on the heat-related deaths that occurred during the heat dome last year. Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, has released the following statement:

Furstenau: State of Emergency a necessary and overdue step

VICTORIA, B.C. Today, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General declared a provincial state of emergency in response to the flooding on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:

“Calling this state of emergency is a necessary but overdue step to better respond to the flooding that has resulted in loss of life, devastation in communities, and displacement of thousands of British Columbians. This call should have been made days ago, when the effects of the rainfall were beginning to be made clear, to help British Columbians prepare and change their travel plans. While local communities have had to deal with the impact of this emergency, a disaster of this scale is clearly a province-wide emergency.

Government’s fossil fuel subsidies compromise CleanBC plan

VICTORIA, BC - Today, the B.C. NDP announced the Clean BC Roadmap to 2030, the province’s plan to meet the legislated 2030 emissions target.

“The NDP government’s commitment to fossil fuel subsidies are undermining B.C.’s ability to achieve this plan and be a climate leader,” said B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley. 

IPCC lays out catastrophic impacts of climate crisis; governments must take urgent action

VICTORIA, B.C. - A new landmark study released today from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns the world is dangerously close to runaway warming. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:

“This alarming IPCC climate report predicts intensifying climate impacts and is a ‘Code Red’ for humanity. British Columbians are already living with severe climate change impacts as demonstrated by our record-setting wildfires, drought, and extreme heat. It’s affecting the air we breathe, the forests we rely on, and the security of our crops.

State of Emergency a necessary and overdue step

VICTORIA, B.C. Today, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General declared a provincial state of emergency in response to the ongoing wildfires across British Columbia. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:

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