A family-friendly night and a daylong course of climate solutions are some of ways local residents can celebrate Climate Action Week.
The New Westminster Public Library is joining libraries across BC that are celebrating Climate Action Week from Nov. 2 to 8. It is intended to be a time when libraries can plan programs or displays to raise awareness about climate change and solutions.
“We really wanted to make climate action approachable and hopeful as a response to the climate crisis,” says Caitlin MacRae, programming librarian at the New Westminster Public Library. “We have put together a program of events ranging from a climate-themed story time for preschoolers, to a movie night for ages 8+, to a full-day program for understanding basic climate science and putting solutions into action in your own life.”
As part of its Climate Action Week programming, the New Westminster Public Library has created seven free programs that are designed to appeal to residents of all ages and interests. The library has partnered with the New Westminster Climate Action Hub for many of the programs for a unique, New West-centred approach.
“The library is the ideal place for folks to learn in the community, make connections, and get energized on climate action,” said Karen Crosby, science educator and member of the Hub.
The New Westminster Public Library has organized a week of events that are intended to provide residents with an opportunity to engage with the topic of climate change in a constructive and hopeful way. Many of the sessions are also open to teens.
“Teens have so much energy and purpose, and we know they will have to live in the future that we are creating today,” said Jennifer Nathan, another New West Climate Hub member. “As an educator, I love connecting with teens to help them put that energy into creating positive change in the world.”
Teens are welcome at a mending workshop, Climate Solutions in a Day, and a session on climate mis- and disinformation.
“One of the library’s main purposes is helping people learn to discern what is real and what is fake news,” MacRae added. “We’re tackling media literacy with this hands-on workshop focused on climate.”
One of the events during Climate Action Week is a day-long course, Climate Solutions in a Day, in which local climate educators will provide an overview of the climate science and engage participants in how to put climate solutions into practice in their homes, their communities and through advocacy. Staff from the City of New Westminster’s climate action department and city councillors will be in attendance.
“We want residents to really feel like they are able to have their voices heard and engage with the politicians and bureaucrats who can effectuate larger-scale change,” McRae said in an email to a local residents’ association. “This program is a full-day commitment, but lunch is provided.”
The Climate Action Week in BC Libraries is an initiative of the BC Library Association’s Climate Action Committee. This is the third year that libraries across the province will be highlighting climate action in their programming, displays and educational events.
All events at the New Westminster Public Library are free, and open to all community members. You can get all the details and register on the library’s website, but here is an overview of what’s being offered:
- Saturday, Nov. 2: Climate Solutions in A Day – a full day session with facilitators to get your climate action jump-started at home, in your community and in advocating for system changes. This event, which is for ages 14 and up, runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch is provided.
- Sunday, Nov. 3: Joy of Mending – learn about reducing your environmental impact through clothing choices and simple techniques. All supplies are provided at this session which is for citizens aged 12 and up. It runs from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 5: Pre-school Storytime – the library’s regular storytime includes climate- and environmental-focused stories for the two- to five-year-old crowd. It is taking place from `10:30 to 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 5: Book Club – Fire Weather. Adults will meet to discuss John Vaillant’s Fire Weather. You can contact the library to register to receive a copy of the book beforehand. This book club runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 6: Movie Night – 2040. Watch 2040, which is described as “a visual letter from a filmmaker to his daughter about what her life as an adult may look like with the climate solutions that exist today.” The movie is for ages eight and up. It takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. (Note: Bring your own bowl to this event; the library will be supplying the popcorn.)
- Thursday, Nov. 7: Baby Social Toy Swap. Families are invited to bring toys babies aged zero to two years of age no longer enjoy and swap them with others at this social event. It will take place from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Thursday, Nov. 7: Climate Mis- and Disinformation. Attendees will learn some critical climate literacy skills by “connecting the dots between anti-science talking points and their root sources.” This session, which is for residents aged 14 and older, is being held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
