Climate Action Week kicks off in New Westminster

As New Westminster Public Library (NWPL) joins other libraries across the province in hosting its inaugural Climate Action Week, public services librarian Caitlin MacRae says it’s an opportunity to really delve into the topic in a space where everyone is welcome. She adds that it can be overwhelming at times for people to digest information on the topic, so they’re hoping to make it as accessible as possible. 

“There are a lot of solutions [on climate change] that are important for big corporations or government at various levels to take action on it, but that leaves individuals often feeling helpless,” explains MacRae.

There will be a number of opportunities for people to not only read books out of the NWPL’s climate change-related display, but to also make connections with a range of groups—all of which are based in New West—to discuss the issue. 

“We have everything from active transportation to invasive plant species, to students who are fighting for climate justice for the future,” says MacRae. 

These groups will be at the Community Climate Solutions Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 6 to 8pm, in which the library will serve as a setting for open dialogue. The goal is to help people with any climate anxiety, which can be done by talking to those familiar with the issue. 

The following evening NWPL will host an Empower Me BC event, which includes tips and tricks for saving energy, how to understand and read energy bills, and how to bring energy costs down. 

“One of the important roles that librarians like myself play is that we evaluate…the books that are purchased and make sure they [have] sound scientific information. That it’s current, that the old stuff gets moved along,” explains MacRae, who says it’s not always possible for the publishing of books to keep up with how quickly information can change. 

“Sources can also be community groups, so if you want information about, let’s say, removal and replanting with native species, you’re not going to find a book about what’s the best thing to plant in New Westminster,” she says.

“I think especially in an election year when there’s a lot of airing of community ideas, it’s a really important time to bring up and discuss openly the topic of climate change since it affects us all.”

MacRae adds that this event will be taking place a few weeks before the municipal election on Oct. 15, and a number of folks in local government have been invited to stop by. MacRae points to another role the library has played during warmer days: the role of cooling centre. 

“They can come and relax, they’re not obliged to buy a coffee to use the restroom. It’s a place for everyone, and we know that the heat dome affected New West residents disproportionately.” MacRae says with staff seeing the implications of climate change first hand—with people coming into the library during those warm days—the event comes full circle. 

“It’s through these relationships, building things that happen through emergencies and events, we can support each other and we can be here to support the people in our community.”

There’s still time to register for the forum and the Empower Me events, which you can do by emailing [email protected]. You can also call 604-527-4666.