To express the urgent need for climate action, the Climate Justice Victoria group has unveiled a striking ice sculpture at the BC Legislature.
It was unveiled this morning at around 10:30 a.m., aligning with the opening day of the UN Climate Summit COP28, and hopes to cast a spotlight on the climate crisis and challenge the BC government’s fracking and LNG expansion plans.
The sculpture’s unveiling is said to be a visual testament to the dwindling time we have to address the climate emergency.
Additionally, it is meant to critique the provincial government’s contradictory approach to climate action and fracking/LNG expansion and their hope is to inspire action.
“We delivered this ice sculpture to the BC legislature today, on the opening day of COP 28, to send a stark reminder of the limited time we have to act on the growing climate crisis,” said Mike Hudema, spokesperson with Climate Justice Victoria.
“After a year of record heat, record wildfires, and record droughts, our government needs to increase its actions, its ambitions, and keep fossil fuels in the ground. Our future literally depends on it.”
According to a release, if all planned LNG projects in BC become operational, they will create more than three times the allowable emissions in the province’s climate plan.
This will be equivalent to burning 34 billion pounds of coal annually or adding nearly seven million gasoline cars to BC streets every year for 30 years.
“Expanding LNG operations in BC not only exacerbates this threat but starkly contradicts the province’s own climate commitments,” added Chris Camaso, with Climate Justice Victoria.
“We cannot claim to be fighting climate change while simultaneously investing in one of its biggest drivers. The time to reconcile our actions with our promises is now, not when it’s too late.”
The public can stop by the BC Legislature today and join in on the event, which will continue throughout the day as the ice sculpture melts away.
There will be representatives onsite to talk about the sculpture and answer any questions.
