Columbia Falls climate talk coming up
A helicopter drops water on a fire above Cyclone Lake in 2017.
Hungry Horse News
Local experts and advocates will speak and lead a discussion on climate change at 6 p.m. June 30, at Glacier Lanes on Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls.
Representatives from Climate Smart Glacier Country, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Wild Montana, and Our Children’s Trust will be led in the conversation by former Montana State Representative Debo Powers, President of Wild Montana.
“Our planet is getting hotter, and this is starting to affect our enjoyment of life, our economy, and the natural world around us,” Powers said in a release. “This is the biggest threat facing us and our children and grandchildren, but our society continues business as usual, leaving us frozen in despair.”
Powers claims it is not too late. “The best antidote to despair is hope and action. We still have time to make changes that will mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Powers has assembled a panel of young activists who are committed to tackling the climate emergency. Speakers include representatives from:
Climate Smart Glacier Country, engaging the public to find local solutions to climate-created challenges to water and food security, public health, and recreation;
Citizens’ Climate Lobby, working on national policies by building relationships with elected officials and local media in 580 chapters world-wide;
Wild Montana, helping communities thrive by building trust, fostering collaboration, and forging agreements to protect the wild, confront climate change, and enhance public land access;
Our Children’s Trust, securing the legal rights of youth to a healthy atmosphere and safe climate, based on the best available science.
This non-partisan event is coordinated by the Flathead County Democratic Central Committee. FCDCC Chairwoman Lynn Stanley said this and previous events have been organized to shed light on and stimulate conversation and solutions to some of the most critical problems facing Montanans and local community leaders.
“Solving these problems requires citizen participation, Democrats and Republicans, Libertarians and Independents, all working together,” she said.
The talk is free and open to the public.