Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada stopped in Revelstoke on Wednesday, April 9, to engage the community on what less predictable winters and more widespread summer fires mean for the city's outdoor recreation industry.
The Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre hosted about 70 people for the local edition of the POW Canada Townhall, which is also visiting outdoor recreation hotspots such as Whistler, Fernie and Nelson to engage residents and businesses on how to build more resilient economies in the face of climate change.
Since its inception in 2007, POW Canada has grown to a leadership network of 60 athletes, 24 scientists and dozens of brands all supporting the advancement of climate policy for outdoor rec, along with some 38,000 members.
POW Revelstoke co-leads Keshia Blake and Kevin Minnes opened the floor Wednesday evening to Greg Hill, a local adventure sport personality and POW Canada ambassador. He spoke about the benefits of individual changes like outfitting homes with solar panels, but also highlighted the bigger goal of policy change.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 not about the car you drive, it乌鸦传媒檚 not about the trip you take, it乌鸦传媒檚 not about the food you eat. It乌鸦传媒檚 about policy," he said. "Millions of imperfect people changing policy is actually going to push the needle.乌鸦传媒�
Natalie Knowles, a POW Canada research scientist, also came onstage to share evidence that the seasons are changing.
乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e seeing increases in precipitation, and increases in temperatures both summer and winter,乌鸦传媒� she said, adding that these temperature increases cause more rain to fall at valley bottom, even if there乌鸦传媒檚 significant snowpack higher up.
First and last frost dates are also shifting significantly, Knowles said, leading to a shortening of ski season and shifts in the summer season. But while winter faces threats and changes, these changes also present opportunities.
乌鸦传媒淭here乌鸦传媒檚 a lot of opportunity for outdoor recreation to be part of the Truth and Reconciliation movement," Knowles said. "We乌鸦传媒檙e working with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada on some of this within our sector. There乌鸦传媒檚 a lot of space to bring in some of that land-based knowledge, connection to place and benefits to the Indigenous communities that have been stewarding our recreational spaces for time immemorial.乌鸦传媒�
According to POW Canada乌鸦传媒檚 recently-published , co-authored by Knowles, Canadian outdoor rec brings more than a million jobs and $100 billion annually to the economy, making climate impacts on this sector nationally significant. The industry also advocates for clean air, health-care cost savings, mental and physical health, and pride of place, which she said further highlights its importance.
乌鸦传媒淲e want to be able to speak the language of the economy, but at the same time we really need to incorporate a multitude of values when we think about climate action and outdoor recreation and tourism development," Knowles continued.
She also joined a panel Wednesday evening with Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce board member Maggie Spizzirri and Revy Outdoors owner Steven Cross, discussing barriers to change that Revelstoke faces, the upcoming launch of a city compost program, and the impact of shifting winters on local business revenue.
"Regardless of parties, regardless of everything, we need to protect the climate so that we can protect our jobs," Hill said. "It乌鸦传媒檒l affect all of us if we start losing our snow and if our summers are all smoky, so it乌鸦传媒檚 really up to us now to help create the change in joining POW Canada and putting our voices into it.乌鸦传媒�
The POW Canada Townhall next comes to Fernie on Monday, April 14, and Nelson on Tuesday, April 15.
Local community members wanting to keep the conversation going can join the Revelstoke Climate Coalition乌鸦传媒檚 at 6:30 p.m. April 24, hosted at Revelstoke United Church. Dubbed "Climate Unfiltered," it will be an evening of climate films, wine and conversation. Tickets start at $12.
