Who are we?
We are a group of citizens of Unama’ki Cape Breton, deeply concerned about environmental degradation and climate change and the impacts on all living beings. We aim, through this task force, to promote environmental awareness and concrete action to combat climate change through education, advocacy, community mobilization, and investment in local green initiatives. 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 likeminded 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.
Our Vision:
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.
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 likeminded people, organizations, and funders.
Suvir came to Canada in 2012 to pursue a BA in Political Science. On completion of his BA, he enrolled in the MBA program at Cape Breton University, focusing on Community Economic Development. Suvir has been working for the Clean Foundation as an Administrative Support Specialist and has also been dedicating some time to serve as the coordinator for the Climate Change Task Force(CCTF). The CCTF is a pluralistic organization with numerous community stakeholders looking to take action on the climate crisis we currently find ourselves in. The CCTF ranks are filled with academics, students, community leaders, indigenous leaders, business owners, and other professionals. The aim of the CCTF is to have multi-faceted conversations, looking for multidimensional solutions to the problems thrown our way due to the climate crisis.
Terry teaches international politics at Cape Breton University with a focus on social justice and environmental issues. She has lived and worked around the world in various countries of Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, Eastern Europe and in Palestine. Prior to entering the university system, Terry spent many years working in the non-profit sector both in Canada and internationally and she continues to be involved in community work and social justice activism. She was a founding member of the Cape Breton University Community Garden and the Cape Breton/Unama’ki Climate Change Task Force and she is active in the local food movement. Over the years she has developed a deep commitment to making connections (local to global) and building bridges between various movements and communities. Terry Gibbs Professor, Department of L’nu, Political, and Social Studies, Cape Breton University