The Okanagan Chapter held their AGM on February 24, 2021, deciding finally that the time is upon us to recommence the work to be done after a long Covid-related hiatus. During this meeting (despite technical difficulties- sorry!), the Steering Committee heard from the Chair, Erik Hrabovsky, with a year-in-review, and Kyla Gowenlock with her grass-roots ‘Retrofits and Renewables’ project. Our year in review was simple as we were generally inactive much of 2020. Kyla, though, has been busy pitching and promoting her 20-30 home request to create a pilot project to help justify the switch to electrification, both as responsible environmental citizens and as smart economic investors! She is currently seeking volunteer house models to be included in her study – especially if they reside in the Kelowna area. Her dynamic presentation and keen organization astounded our group as she admitted that she began the project only 6 weeks prior! Using her own home as part of the pitch, she now touts solar panels, a high-efficiency heat pump, and plans for more to ready her family for coming global targets of 100% renewable energy. If you would like to be involved, contact Kyla at oklocalpower@gmail.com. Her project has plans to expand upon the completion of the pilot study.

Our chapter chair concluded the event with a reading from Amanda Gordan’s “Earthrise” poem, tying us to the reason many of us are involved. Gorman spoke the following excerpt at the Los Angeles Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training on Tuesday, August 28, 2018:

“And while this is a training, In sustaining the future of our planet, There is no rehearsal, The time is Now Now Now, Because the reversal of harm, And protection of a future so universal Should be anything but controversial.”
(Accessed from naamee.org on February 24, 2021)

Nominations are still open for other board and steering committee members. Do let us know if you would like in on this and email us here! Ready yourself for action, Okanagan! The year has just begun! Erik Hrabovsky Okanagan Chapter BC Sustainable Energy Association