Dear Editor:

Parents will go above and beyond for their children. Parents spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of their lives to ensure a bright future for their children. Yet, in the end, our children will choke to death on the dust that was once a river because we as a community, a province and a nation continue to ignore the disastrous effects of climate change. 

Currently, much of North America is facing the worst drought in the continent’s history. Dry spells that can last for decades aren’t necessarily unusual. However, the effects of climate change and industrial farming practices have brought about what is known as a megadrought.  

Over 36 per cent of all land in the US is experiencing drought, disproportionately affecting key agricultural states like California. And, while the west has too little water, the east will soon have too much. Scientists are predicting that we are entering a period where, increasingly, every hurricane season will be worse than the last.  

Climate change is making life harder – and it’s becoming deadly. Places like Phoenix and Arizona, for example, are so hot that over 300 people died from the heat in 2020. It’s predicted this will only get worse. 

While these may seem like rather distant problems for many of us, it’s bound to get closer. Food prices will go up, devastating forest and wildfires will become commonplace, and sweeping power outages will only increase. In our lifetimes, we will see climate refugees flood into Canada, and our abundant fresh water will be put at risk of theft or seizure. 

So, if you are a parent, what can you do to ensure a secure future for your children? Attend your local town council meeting and ask, “What are you doing to combat climate change?” If you’re not satisfied with the answer, we have to hold their feet to the fire!  

For example, in 2010, the Invermere Mayor and Council set a 33 per cent Corporate Emission reduction target by 2020. Have they achieved this target?  

If our community leaders aren’t on a path to Carbon Natural by 2040, it’s time to demand that they change course.  

If you are like me and have questions, the Invermere Town Council Meeting is this Tuesday, June 22, at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Office.

Samson Boyer, Wilmer