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Welcome to the WE-CAN Climate News Roundup
Your Primary Source for CLIMATE NEWS
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Stay Connected. Be Inspired. Get Involved.
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Top Story
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Stop B.C.’s Shocking Resource Giveaway
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From Dogwood: This is our last chance to stop the NDP from locking in a fatally flawed formula for calculating gas royalties. If we don’t act now, the B.C. public will lose BILLIONS. Write now, here.
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Action Now!
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Climate in the Ridings - Local Climate Advocacy
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From Avi Dolgin, WE-CAN: Are you able to join us and be a riding link person to help others arrange climate meetings with your MLA or MP? Sign up here, and we will connect you with others in your riding. If we're silent, it's easier to ignore the issues. Learn more here
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WE-CAN Friends and Allies
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Wednesday, September 23rd, 6-7 pm A Green Business Gathering
From WE-CAN: Do you own, operate, or work in a green business in BC? We invite you to join us to explore our shared interest in better climate action policies and initiatives. We are confident that there are thousands of businesses in BC that want to make a difference. Take the risk. Join us! Let’s see what might come out of this. Register here.
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WE-CAN Member Spotlight: Council of Canadians, South Okanagan Chapter
From Joslin Jose, WE-CAN: Founded in May 2024, the Council of Canadians South Okanagan Chapter is bringing an intersectional approach to issues affecting communities across the Okanagan Valley, from Peachland to Osoyoos. With 50 members, the chapter focuses on water, social justice, transportation and heat, with a broader goal of building an age-friendly community. Read more
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The October Municipal Elections
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Triple the Vote in B.C.’s 2026 Municipal Elections!
From Dogwood: Only 1 in 3 people vote in municipal elections. If we change that, we change what’s possible for our towns and cities. Pledge to vote now! And then triple the vote by talking to three friends about voting. Do it here
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Who is Standing for Election on October 17?
From WE-CAN: There are 50 candidates in Richmond, 90 in Vancouver, 74 in Surrey, and 20 in Victoria. For all the candidates across the province, click here. In 36 municipalities, Vote4Tomorrow supporters are sharing candidate questionnaires, with their answers to be posted by October 1st.
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Vancouver City Candidates: What are Their Policy Commitments?
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From Women Transforming Cities: We called on all candidates for mayor and council to take the Our City Hall Pledge and commit to implementing our policy asks, if elected. Here are the candidates’ commitments. Read more
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Find Where Nanaimo City Councillors Stand on Climate Policy
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From WE-CAN: Volunteers in the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub have created something extraordinary – a full voting record of the sitting councillors on climate-related matters. There are 40 candidates running in the October 17th elections, so it only covers the sitting councillors and mayor, but still an impressive piece of work that will help voters decide. Check it out here.
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Climate Solutions
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Solar Overtakes Coal as China's Largest Source of Installed Power Capacity
From Reuters: China had 1,288 GW of solar capacity at the end of July, against coal's 1,285 GW. But solar's contribution is lower since it cannot generate electricity when the sun isn't shining. Wind and solar made up 24.6% of the power mix in the first half of the year, while coal was 49.7%, the first time coal's share dropped below 50%. Read more
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The Netherlands Presents World's Second Roadmap Away from Fossil Fuels
From We Don’t Have Time: The Netherlands has presented a national roadmap for reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, becoming the second country after France to take such a step. But the plan stops short of setting a binding date for ending oil and gas use. Read more
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Austria and France Banned Short-Haul Flights to Boost Train Travel and Reduce Emissions. Did it Work?
From Climate Trace: How would the airlines and the countries' aviation sector slash their domestic emissions? The answer was rail. In each case, the government put in place an outright or de facto ban on short-haul domestic flights where reasonable train service existed as a viable alternative. Read more
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China’s CO2 Emissions Fall in Q2 2026 Due to Plummeting Oil Use
From Climate Brief: The country’s use of oil fell by 9% overall and by 16% for transport, after the disruptions to supply from the Gulf through the strait. China’s total CO2 emissions fell despite a continued rebound in coal-fired power generation. Read more
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$1.15 Million for B.C. Climate Change Innovation
From Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions: We are supporting climate change innovation with more than $1.15 million in its latest round of funding opportunities. This fall, 14 research teams will receive funding that anticipates emerging climate challenges; catalyzes policy insights to help B.C. build a clean and competitive economy; and/or co-designs First Nations-led climate research supporting community climate priorities. Read more
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The Largest All-Electric Plane Ever Flew for 27 minutes, on $5 of Electricity
From Techspot: Heart Aerospace's 30-seat electric plane takes flight. The X1 demonstrator flew for 27 minutes from a regional airport in upstate New York, running on battery power the entire time. The aircraft reached 1,100 feet with one pilot aboard and no passengers. Read more
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Europe’s EV Share Jumps to 30.5% as Electric-Car Sales Blow Past Forecasts
From Autoigloo: Battery-electric vehicles captured 30.5% of new-car registrations across 16 major European markets in August. The monthly result was far above the full-year market-share forecasts many analysts had been using. Read more
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Fifty Billion Trees by 2030: How Ethiopia is Recruiting Citizens Across the Country to Plant, Plant, Plant
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From the Guardian: After losing much of its forests in recent decades, the country’s people have led the way in planting saplings across the country as part of the government’s Green Legacy Initiative. Read more
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Inside North America’s Largest Indigenous-Led Housing Development
From The Tyee: With three of Sen̓áḵw’s 11 towers now complete, the development is already dramatically reshaping Vancouver’s skyline, and provoking plenty of chatter about its scale, density and ambition. Read more
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Mandatory Climate Footprint Labels on Everyday Products
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From Policy by Design: Proposed four Policy Fixes that can put Canada on a pragmatic, accelerated path to net zero. The first - mandatory Climate Footprint Labels on everyday products - is the subject of a federal e-petition sponsored by MP Patrick Weiler. Sign e-petition e-7510 before it closes on October 9.
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Join the Movement. Fuel the Change. The climate crisis won’t wait — and neither can we. At the West Coast Climate Action Network, we connect with and support nearly 300 climate organizations across BC. Together, we amplify impact, share resources, and drive urgent change.
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But we can’t do it without you!
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By becoming a monthly donor, you provide steady and reliable support that sustains the climate movement throughout the year. Your contributions fund vital coordination, advocacy, events, and tools — empowering people and organizations across BC to fight for a livable future. Monthly giving also makes it easier for you to stay connected to the cause, while helping us plan and grow with confidence
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Whether it’s $5 or $50 a month, your donation directly strengthens climate action in BC — and every dollar adds up.
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Be the spark. Join our growing community of monthly donors today.
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Thank you for standing with us in this decisive decade.
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Climate Politics and Action
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What Sixty Climate Leaders Learned On Inishbofin
From We Don’t Have Time: In August, I published an essay called The Biggest Lie Ever Told Is Only Four Words Long. The four words were: “We have more time.” A couple of days later, an invitation arrived. Would I come to Inishbofin, an island off Ireland’s Atlantic coast, and spend four days with sixty people on the question the essay left open: what are we going to do about it? Read more
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Exxon Just Published its Expectations for 2050. Actuaries Have Told Us What That Means: Global Collapse.
From Ron de Laet: This week ExxonMobil released its annual energy outlook. Not a warning from activists: the world's largest private oil major describing the future it is planning around. Read more
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BC's New Power Line Breaks Ground Amid Questions Over Funding, Authority
From National Observer: Construction is underway on a multibillion-dollar BC power line. The federal and provincial governments say the North Coast Transmission Line will strengthen Canada’s energy security and support new mines and industry. But some observers say it could also lead to disputes over its climate impact, who has authority to approve construction, and whether taxpayers should help fund private industrial projects. Read more
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La Rose v. His Majesty the King - A Canadian Climate Trial Worth Watching
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From Lori Guetre: On October 26, fifteen young Canadians go to federal court in Vancouver asking the court to order Canada to produce a real, science-based Climate Recovery Plan. Not just the legislated 2050 target, but a plan with actual mechanisms behind it. The trial is expected to run five weeks. The plaintiffs are asking for organizations across Canada to "adopt a day" so the youth know they aren't walking in alone. Learn more and see the trial toolkit here.
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Climate Science and Impacts
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The Incoming ‘Super’ El Niño Will Create Chaos Around the World – and We Are Far From Ready For it
From Bill McGuire, The Guardian: One of the biggest upheavals in a millennium is on its way, strengthened by the climate crisis. We need leaders who make things better, not worse. Read more
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Climate Crisis Likely Behind Devastating Nepal-Tibet Floods that Killed More than 1,300.
From The Guardian: Climate breakdown probably weakened the glacier that collapsed, causing catastrophic floods and killing hundreds of people in Nepal and Tibet last month, the first scientific study of the disaster has found. Unusually warm conditions before the glacier’s collapse sent an avalanche of snow and ice into the valley below. Read more
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Antarctic, Greenland Sheets Have Melted Enough Since the ‘70s to Cover US in 5 Feet of Ice
From Common Dreams: “With every additional centimetre of sea-level rise, about 2 to 3 million people are put at risk of annual coastal flooding.” Read more
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Forestry and Nature
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The Province is Proposing a ‘Working Forest’ Model - But What Does that Mean?
From CBC: B.C.'s Ministry of Forests is to begin piloting its new Working Forest Landscape Model. Ken Wu is concerned that it could put ecologically valuable forests at risk. Annie Booth described it as allocating the most "diverse, rich ecosystems" the same way as it allocates "big timber." Read more
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Sunday, October 4, 1–3 pm: Hands Off Old Growth Rally (Victoria and Elsewhere)
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Every day, roughly 100 soccer fields of old growth are logged, including areas identified for deferral. That’s over 25,000 hectares per year, more than twice the size of Vancouver! This is why we’re planning a rally on the BC legislature lawn the day before parliament opens. Speakers, live music, and a giant "Hands Off" canvas. Organized by Elders for Ancient Trees, Sierra Club of BC, Pacific Wild, Walbran Defenders, SOFT-CV, Save What's Left. If you are able to host an event in your community, we’ll send the toolkit. jackie.larkin99@gmail.com
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Climate Videos, Books, Podcasts, Courses, Art
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Happy Scrolling! James Stew, An Amazing Green Solutions Video Producer
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Holland Goes Green by Ripping Out Paving Stones
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From James Stew: People all across the Netherlands just ripped out six million paving stones across their cities, and something amazing has happened. Cities competed with each other to see which could take the most out – and replace them with plants and soil. Watch the 1’ video here
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Climate Image of the Week
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Source: Barcelona IMM Design Lab
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You Can Take Action! Events, Protests and Rallies
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*PLEASE NOTE* If your climate organization is a WE-CAN member, click “Post your Event” under ‘Calendar’, and it will be added following approval.
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The calendar is a great networking tool, helping you connect and share events with the broader climate movement. Check it out and start posting your events today!
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All times are Pacific Standard Time
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Thursday, September 24, 9:30-10:30 am National Strategy Call for Upcoming Canada Pension Plan Public Meetings
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From SHIFT: CPPIB manages the $864-billion Canada Pension Plan on behalf of 22 million contributors and beneficiaries. On October 6th, we will have a rare and important opportunity to directly engage the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on the climate crisis, its significant fossil fuel investments and lack of Indigenous rights policy. Details here. Join us to strategize. Email cheryl@shiftaction.ca
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Thursday, September 24, 6 pm Climate Book Club: When the Forest Breathes, by Suzanne Simard
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From WE-CAN: If you have read Susanne Simard’s new book and would like to join our the Book Club, click here
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Monday, September 28, 11 am Listen, Connect, Engage: Deep Canvassing and Environmental Justice Outreach
From Climate Access: Effective communication starts with understanding what people care about and connecting climate issues to lived experiences. How can we better, and build trust? We’ll explore deep canvassing and other outreach strategies with Montana Burgess, Partner At Mountaintop Strategies. By Zoom. Register here
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Monday, September 28, 6:30 pm Bravery in Public Office In Vancouver
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From Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders SFU Renewable Cities: We welcome author, planner, engineer and advocate Veronica O. Davis for an evening of critical reflection on how we make decisions about the ways people move through our cities. Davis is the author of Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities. Panel discussion with Alison Gu, Burnaby; Nadine Nakagawa, New Westminster; and Andrea Reimer, Vancouver. 580 West Hastings, Get your tickets here.
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Thursday, October 1, 6-9 pm: Building Streets for Life: How to Create a City for All Ages (In Vancouver)
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From BEST Mobility: We invite you to join us for our 35th Anniversary celebration! An evening of PechaKucha presentations, community connection, networking, and delicious local treats as we reimagine Vancouver’s streets for all generations. $35. Creekside Community Recreation Centre, Second Floor, Multipurpose Room 4. Read more
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Thursday, October 2, 6 pm Climate Movie Night: We the Children
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From WE-CAN: Told entirely from a child’s perspective, Ninan Auassat: We, the Children is a powerful documentary that reveals the dreams of a new generation ready to take flight. Director Kim O’Bomsawin takes us deep into the world of Indigenous youth, capturing the stories of children from the Atikamekw, Eeyou Cree and Innu Nations over more than six years. Their voices ring out as a call to action. Everyone welcome! Register here
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Friday, October 23, 12-1pm: Harvesting Energy, Restoring Land. The Potential for Indigenous Agrivoltaics and Ecovoltaics in British Columbia
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From WE-CAN: The climate crisis is hurting both food security and energy reliability, disproportionately impacting First Nations. Omri Haiven from SFU’s Clean Energy Research Group and staff from Sacred Earth will show how agrivoltaics and ecovoltaics can advance both food and energy sovereignty. Register here
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Grants, Job Vacancies and More!
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Vancouver Community Climate Action Grants: Apply by October 1
The Community Climate Action Grant is for community-led projects in Vancouver that directly support the Climate Emergency Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, while advancing equity in our city. For details, click here. For the September 23rd online information session, click here.
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PICS Community Climate Action Events program: Apply by October 16
The PICS Community Climate Action Events program supports community events that aim to advance climate action that has tangible impacts. Events could include a range of activities that inspire and contribute towards community climate action. Details here
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PICS Climate Internship Programme: Apply by November 20
The PICS Climate Internship Program helps organizations in BC reach their climate goals while giving university students a chance to hone their skills and acquire relevant work experience. Through an annual competitive process, the program offers up to $15,000 to eligible organizations to hire a student from UBC, SFU, UNBC, or UVic to assist with a climate action project in your organization/community. Details here
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Policy Under Pressure: Youth Climate Program
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From City Hive: Policy Under Pressure is a hands-on learning program for youth ages 18-30 in Metro Vancouver. Participants will learn what it takes to make change happen in our local governments. Our second cohort will run from October to December 2026. Applications are now open! Apply by Sunday, September 20. Apply here
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Job Vacancies: Greater Victoria Green Team Program Managers
We need two experienced, self-motivated community builders who are comfortable leading groups, highly organized, take ownership of their work, and thrive on balancing independent computer work with high-energy, physically active field days. Details here
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Job Vacancy: Climate Finance Campaign Contractor: This Position is Open Until Filled.
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From Stand.earth: We are seeking a creative, experienced campaigner starting as soon as possible for an extendable nine-month term. You will be responsible for helping to implement an expanding campaign plan against new LNG projects in Canada. Details here
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Climate/Environmental Jobs Posted on Linked-In
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Environment Funders
Their list of members is here - a useful source of thinking when it comes to fundraising
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WE-CAN’s Fundraising Toolkit for Climate Action Groups is here
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Stay Connected. Be Inspired. Get Involved.
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From all of us in the West Coast Climate Action Network
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We honour the title and rights of the Indigenous peoples on whose ancestral lands we live and work.
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