The Chilliwack Rotary Climate Fair 2024 promises to deliver inspiration and information at the Chilliwack Landing Sports Centre April 13-14.
The climate event brings everyone under one roof, over two days, for three reasons: speakers, a job fair, and a trade show.
“The trade show allows attendees to learn about state-of-the-art technology, while the job fair is focused on careers in the sustainability and alternative energy sectors,” said Robyn Curtis, chair of Rotary Chilliwack’s Climate Change Action Group. “The speakers will inspire everyone to make that key shift towards a better future for the planet.”
Some will come to check out the vehicles like an electric pickup truck, or the government grants, job leads, health ideas and more. There will be 60 climate-fair vendors, along with a host of experts, and community groups doing their thing.
They’ll all be talking about solutions, with sources who are knowledgeable about electric cars, solar panels, and hydrogen fuel-cell technology and more.
There are a lot of myths and assumptions around climate issues that can be easily debunked.
“Some people assume climate change will not affect them,” said Tim Cooper, UFV professor emeritus of physics and a Climate Change Action group member. “However, if they eat food, they will be profoundly affected.”
There’s an assumption it will be expensive to stop using fossil fuels, which is not the case.
“Heat pumps and EVs are cheaper overall to buy and operate than fossil alternatives, as folks can learn at the fair.”
The diverse speakers will cover such critical topics: B.C.’s 2023 fire season, fashion and sustainability, the multifaceted world of sustainable agriculture and innovative building strategies to meet codes.
There will be discussions on global health challenges, the repercussions of fracking, the power of plant-based diets and the specific climate challenges facing Uganda.
“This fair is your opportunity to find out from trusted sources,” Cooper said.
Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have stated emphatically for the record: “There are multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change, and they are available now,” according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on March 20, 2023.
The Chilliwack event will be discussing some of the options.
Chilliwack Rotary Climate Fair 2024: Chilliwack Landing Sport Centre, 45530 Spadina Ave., Chilliwack, April 13-14, Saturday 10 a.m. to p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Free admission