Arzeena’s Priorities
Climate Resilience
Arzeena’s three priorities for Courtenay-Comox
I am dedicated to making life better for you and your family through three key pillars:
BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE
We must urgently take proactive steps to be prepared to navigate the effects of climate change, such as natural disasters and resource scarcity. Moves we make today toward sustainability are the key to building long-term prosperity—as well as a healthier environment for our children and grandchildren. In BC, this includes sustainable forestry; wise use of our water resources; and investing in clean energy research and development instead of fossil fuels. It’s possible to protect our natural resources and ecosystems while also strengthening local economies and creating new jobs. In fact, it’s essential.
-
End old-growth logging
BC Greens seek to protect the immense biodiversity and habitat that only old-growth forests provide. However, we also recognize that logging feeds families who live here. provide conservation financing to First Nations and other communities to build a more sustainable forestry industry and, especially, to help create viable economic alternatives to logging old growth.
-
Protect water resources
In the Comox Valley, water sustains our fish spawns, grows our food, and powers our homes. In our increasingly dry environment, cooperation to conserve our supply and use it wisely is essential. We need to give food and ecosystems priority over industrial water use. Overhauling the Water Sustainability Act is one piece of this puzzle. Another is to have consultations with all water users to ensure the highest and best use of water, and to establish, and then apply, values that really matter to communities.
-
Invest in clean energy
We must shift to energy sources that don’t deplete our natural resources, and that help to lower our carbon emissions. In a 2023 poll, 64% of BC residents favoured developing renewable and clean energy sources. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau recently said, “Clean energy is the future; this power will help us decarbonize and meet our climate goals.” It also provides jobs and economic opportunities, especially to rural and First Nations communities.