Information on climate change is constantly evolving, as researchers learn more about global and local conditions. The City of Courtenay is hosting an evening of exploration into the science behind some of the major challenges facing our environment today. On Friday, April 29 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, join presenters Nancy Hofer and Allan Gornall for the “Our Climate, Our Environment, Our Choice!” event at the Sid Williams Theatre.

 
Gornall, the City’s climate action analyst, recently completed a rigorous training program in Nashville with a leading group of climate scientists through The Climate Project organization. Gornall’s presentation addresses the most current climate trends around the world; this information will both challenge and inspire viewers to seek solutions to the many issues facing our planet.
 
“We’ve started to offer a tailored version of this presentation to local schools,” notes Gornall. “This is an opportunity for the general public to see the presentation, but as well it would be great for students who’ve already seen one of our presentations to get a more in-depth look at some of the issues they’re concerned about.”
 
The City of Courtenay’s environmental planner Nancy Hofer will also discuss global challenges, with references to examples in the Comox Valley and beyond. Some of the specific environmental challenges facing the Comox Valley include loss of sensitive habitats, inadequate water supply during the summer months, energy cost increases and rising greenhouse gas emissions. This community, like many others, faces uncertainty in how changing climatic conditions will affect local sea level rise, agricultural production, and the adaptation of native species.
 
Hofer notes these are complex and interrelated problems that require foresight, commitment and courage if they are to be understood, and says, “I hope the audience walks away with some enhanced awareness of the relationship between humans and the ecological systems that sustain us.”
 
Both Hofer and Gornall have backgrounds and education in environmental sciences. Gornall began his career working internationally doing micro and macro scale wind energy analysis, and also worked with a team from the David Suzuki Foundation on the Carbon Neutral 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
 
Hofer has worked in stream and riparian ecology laboratories at the University of British Columbia and contributed to various research programs on sustainable community development, including affordable housing and neighbourhood sustainability evaluation for the Vancouver Olympic Village.
 
Gornall and Hofer hope this event will allow them to share their enthusiasm with the community at large. “We’re both so passionate about the work we do,” states Hofer. “We want to contribute to a livable, healthy and sustainable Comox Valley, and we hope people will join us to hear more about global climatic trends, uncertain energy futures, ecological pressures and the implications for local communities.”
 
Adds Gornall, “We truly believe these challenges can only be solved collectively, and we want to help people discover that they do have a choice in participating in the trends that define our future.”
 
Advance tickets for this free event are available at the Sid Williams Theatre Box Office, City of Courtenay, Lewis Centre, Florence Filberg Centre, Town of Comox, Comox Valley Regional District, Village of Cumberland, as well as Simon’s Cycles, Freakin’ Café, The Broken Spoke and SURE Copy. Tickets will also be available at the door. For more information, please contact the City of Courtenay at 250-334-4441 or visit www.courtenay.ca.

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