Dear Editor:
Just so that all residents know: The Climate Action Plan, produced by a hard-working group of caring residents and meant to make Summerland more environmentally and socially friendly is contrary to the impact of the proposed Banks Crescent Development. Please go to:
http://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/works-and-utilities/climate-action/march-23-2011—-final—-summerland-ccap.pdf?sfvrsn=2
The document contains all the detail for those interested in reading it, but following are the exact goals as communicated in Summerland’s Climate Action Plan:
Goal 1: Minimize urban sprawl and promote compact, energy efficient development with access to amenities within walking and cycling distance.
Goal 2: Improve transportation efficiency.
Goal 3: Support public participation, education and awareness initiatives.
Goal 4: Identify and support effective greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.
Goal 5: Promote energy conservation and dissemination of renewable energy technologies.
Goal 6: Maintain and enhance the urban ecosystem.
Goal 7: Demonstrate Municipal leadership.
From the goals alone it is hard to argue the incompatibility between Summerland’s Climate Action Plan and the Bank Crescent proposed development.
Whether you like it or not, climate change is real and we have to show the integrity and courage to do our share to make our environment more safe, clean and friendly for ourselves, but even more so for the generations after us!
Nancy Goudy
Summerland