November 16. 2009

Bill 27 – BC Climate Change Initiative
Description: This 30:00 news report introduces and provides back ground on the BC Climate Change Initiative – Under BC amendments to the Community charter we detail how Gabriola Islands Trust is Implementing Bill 27 Requirements in their Official Community Plans.

Partial Script follows; verify against broadcast.
CKGI on CHLY – Gabriola Radio News – 30:00
Airplay date: November 25th, 2009 12 pm (noon) CHLY 101.7 FM
Expiry Date: November 26th, 2009

Script

Music : Myles Black Beasties – 3:53 MAPL

Host: That was Myles Black singing Beasties. You are listening  to CKGI on CHLY Gabriola Radio News thanks to 101.7 FM Radio Malaspina.

My name is Ken Zakreski, I am your host for this inaugural show.

Today we speak with Debra Ferens, Gabriola Islands Trust Council representative about the upcoming Climate Change review of Gabriola’s Official Community Plan.

Audio Ferens clip:    00:04.40

Host: We’ll hear more from  Ms. Ferens but first some background on Bill 27, the provincial legislation enabling this review and previous actions the Islands Trust has undertaken on addressing climate change.

Bill 27 covers many aspects of  “Community Charter” in various areas of BC by amendment to include language for addressing climate change. One portion relevant to Islands Trust areas is that, quoting here…

“An official community plan must include targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the area covered by the plan, and policies and actions of the local government proposed with respect to achieving those targets.”

This requires Gabriola’s local government, the Islands Trust, to commence an Official Community Plan to include targets for reductions.

Land use is a key driver of green house gas emissions. and shifting land use patterns is one way to to reduce a communities carbon footprint.

Prior to Bill 27 the Islands Trust has been involved with addressing climate change by advocating and implementing reduction measures. My research shows as far back as  March of 2005 Trust Council started with advocating on climate change and energy issues. In September of 2006 they did call on the federal government to meet Canada’s commitment under Kyoto. The Trust has committed to carbon neutral government operations under an action plan. Climate Wise Islands in another initiative, launched in September of 2009 this new initiative expresses a commitment to build sustainable and low carbon island communities through innovative land use planning and advocacy. finally the trust Council has made addressing climate change through bill 27 “its top priority”.

I met up with Debra Ferens following the local Trust process meeting where they discussed and planned how they will undertake the community consultation for the reduction of green house gases. I was immediately impressed with Ms Ferens suggestion to invite community groups already  involved with addressing climate change. There are a menu of climate  change policies in play: one land use, two transportation, three building design siting, and landscaping, four energy source and supply, five food and agriculture six natural areas and ecosystems.

So lets hear what Ms Ferens had to say about the upcoming meeting.

Audio Ferens interview:    15:25

Host: That was an interview I recorded with Deb Ferens a Gabriola Island Local Islands Trust representative. The meeting on addressing climate change is scheduled for 7 pm November 26th at the Women’s Institute Hall, 476 South Road Gabriola Island, BC. Go and be heard.

This concludes our first show you are listening  to CKGI on CHLY Gabriola Radio News thanks to 101.7 FM Radio Malaspina.

We close our show with a few more songs from Myles Black here he is performing When the World Expands Faster Than You and Stretch Marks ,  I’m Ken Zakreski thank you for listening today.

Music : Myles Black When the World Expands Faster Than You – 4:16 MAPL

Music : Myles Black Stretch Marks – 2:40  MAPL