Let’s make Our Community Hopeful!

Imagine being part of a collective that is working together to make the world a better place.

H     Hike & Bike

O     Opt for green energy

P     Plant a veggie garden

E     Eat locally-produced food

F     Foster local travel

U     Use plastic-free options

L      Limit consumption

!       Positive Action Inspires Others to Hope

Who is HOPEFUL?

HOPEFUL! is a grassroots movement inspiring positive actions for our environment.  The movement hopes to overcome pervasive cynicism by suggesting initiatives to incorporate into everyday life.  Over time those cumulative actions will benefit our sense of well-being, the community and Planet Earth. 

Why HOPEFUL!?

People of all ages are experiencing eco-anxiety.   It’s no wonder!  We are inundated with bad news stories regarding a range of issues from global warming to rising sea levels, fires to droughts and the list goes on.  Young people expect to suffer the consequences of climate change and as a result, are more fearful of their future.   The negative scenarios can lead to depression, fear, anger and which paralyze positive action.

We know that major players are at work researching and implementing ways to fight climate change and prevent increasing carbon levels; however, at the individual level, it’s not surprising that we feel helpless.

People crave ACTION!  People are desperate to feel HOPEFUL!

 What Will HOPEFUL! Do?

Evidence suggests that personal happiness increases when we take steps to reduce carbon.  A win-win”

 HOPEFUL! Objective:

Create a HOPEFUL! community through awareness, positive action and education

 HOPEFUL! Goals:

• Invite individuals, families and friends to step up and make action pledges (see Upstanders below)
• Introduce HOPEFUL! to schools
• Celebrate the people, organizations and businesses that already make our community HOPEFUL!
• Provide an opportunity to discuss positive news stories and initiatives taking place around the world
• Offer educational pop-ups at local events
• Create an eye-catching mural in a central location in Smithers to raise awareness
• Create projects for Earth Day

 Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up.” (Conversation with David Orr, Earth Island Journal, Winter 2008)

 Would You Like To Be An UPSTANDER?

Shifting to a sustainable future is a journey and each individual can make a positive difference.  The Hopeful! Campaign wants to recognize your positive contribution!

Be an UPSTANDER for the environmental by challenging yourself, your family, your office, friends and/or neighbours to create a pledge.   Contact Janet Harris at janet@bulkleyriver.com if you would like to be an Upstander.

Examples:

• As an upstander for the environment, I, Mary Smith, pledge to fly only once a year
•  As an upstander for the environment, we, the Smith family, pledge to eat vegan 1 day per week
•  As an upstander for the environment, we, Acme Tool Office, pledge to avoid single-use drinking containers
• As an upstander for the environment, we, Oakridge Neighbourhood, pledge to learn how to compost

 If you take up a new action, you are likely to talk about it with others which can cause a positive ripple effect of inspiration!

Hope is the ability to envision a future you want to be part of.

 How our Community  is already HOPEFUL!

H ike and Bike

Bulkley Valley Backpackers

Cycle 16 Trail Connector Trail

Town of Smithers is funding the paved connector trail linking to the Cycle 16 Telkwa-Smithers trail

 O pt for green energy

Local energy alternative companies (solar, heat pumps, geothermal technology)

Town of Smithers has hired a Climate Action Specialist

Town is engaged in a Smithers Community Energy & Emissions Plan

Town is engaged in a GHG Emissions Reduction Study, Organic Diversion Study and Fleet Transition Study

Town has installed EV charging stations

P lant a veggie garden

Groundbreakers Agriculture Association

Make Agriculture Sustainable in the Hazeltons M.A.S.H

Ministry of Agriculture

Northern Roots Community Garden

Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako

Young Agrarians

Local nurseries

 E at locally produced food

Farmer’s Market

Grendel Group

Groundbreakers Agriculture Association

Local businesses that source locally-produced food

 F oster local travel

Babine Provincial Park (hiking)

B&T Sleigh Rides

Bulkley Valley Aquatic Centre

Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre

Cycle 16 Connector Trail

Hudson Bay Mountain Alpine Centre

Kaeger Lake Mountain Bike Park (Burns Lake)

Northern BC Tourism site

Round the Mountain hiking and cycling trail

Smithers Perimeter Trail

Surrounding trails for summer & winter recreation

Surrounding rivers and lakes for summer & winter recreation

Smithers is surrounded by scenic and interesting “stay-cation” options:  The West Coast, Haida Gwaii, the Hazelton’s, The Nass Valley (lava beds), Stewart (glaciers), the Lakes District

Smithers Tourist Information Centre

U se plastic substitutes

Local businesses that support bulk food, re-fillable containers for food, laundry supplies and cosmetics

L imit consumption

Bulkley Valley Tool Library

New To You

St. James Anglican Thrift Shop

Smithers Library

Local secondhand, consignment and repair stores

 ! Positive Action Inspires Others to Hope

Smithers Climate Action Group and Climate Change Café are advocacy groups for the environment

Town of Smithers has declared that there is a climate emergency

Town has a developed an Emergency Preparedness Program