About

We are a group of citizens of Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island) deeply concerned about environmental degradation and climate change and the impacts on all living beings. We aim to promote environmental awareness and concrete action to combat climate change through education, advocacy, community mobilization, and investment in local green initiatives.

We envision inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious communities where equity and respect for diversity ensure that prosperity is understood as wellbeing for all. We seek to support individuals, businesses and government in growing the green economy. We imagine forging relationships with individuals, organizations and communities outside of our region who share a belief in advancing the right to a healthy environment.

We come from many sectors, backgrounds and political orientations with a desire to work collaboratively for a hopeful and environmentally sound future for ourselves and for future generations. We acknowledge that we are on unceded Mi’kmaq land, and while this group is comprised of members from both indigenous and settler backgrounds, we aim to engage more broadly with indigenous communities while respecting our treaty responsibilities. While our primary focus will be on projects and engagement with communities in the CBRM, we will, where possible, network and collaborate with like-minded groups and initiatives outside the boundaries of Unama’ki Cape Breton. With the belief that locally-focused activity is an essential building block to these broader relationships, we aim to act locally while thinking globally.

Objectives:

• We recognize climate change as an urgent issue that impacts our region. Through education, advocacy, and community mobilization, the Climate Change Task Force will:
• Respond to “urgent” situations with regard to environmental impacts in our community.
• Collaborate with local government to prioritize actions that will lead to a greener, more equitable future.
• Collaborate with businesses and entrepreneurs to grow the green economy in our region.
• Collaborate with educational institutions such as schools and Cape Breton University exploring activities that engage youth while promoting climate literacy and respect for the environment.
• Collaborate with community organizations working on issues such as poverty, housing and mental health/addictions emphasizing the shared goal of healthy communities in the broadest sense.
• Promote local climate action by connecting like-minded people, organizations, and funders.