"...I realized how important it is to protect our planet, not just because our future looks so uncertain due to what has happened in the past and the present pressing issues, but because protecting creation, being stewards, is what God intended us to be."
—Natalie Ross, Environmental Studies
Ahead of Canada's election day on September 20, 2021 the Trinity Western Environmental Club (TWEC) is co-hosting, with local organization Climate Crisis Langley Action Partners (CCLAP), two virtual all-candidates meetings focused on the climate crisis. One online forum is being held for each of the Langley ridings, Langley-Aldergrove and Cloverdale-Langley City.
The first all-candidates meeting for Langley-Aldergrove was held on Friday September 10 at 7 pm.
The next all-candidates meeting for Cloverdale-Langley City will be on Friday September 17 at 7 pm.
To attend the September 17 all-candidates meeting on Zoom, register for free tickets on Eventbrite.
Engaging local political candidates on climate change
Now for a third time, CCLAP and TWEC are working together to hold all-candidates meetings. During the September 17 meeting, a panel of young people, represented by TWEC, will pose prepared questions to the candidates.
Natalie Ross is a student leader with TWEC. Speaking of the September meetings to engage local politicians, Ross said, “The all-candidates meeting is centered around pressing environmental issues, so we are hoping to hear statements about what the party’s plan of action is for these issues.”
“We will also have questions from the audience, which will allow the candidates to answer questions of which the locals think are most important.”
Ross hopes for a large turn-out at the upcoming September 17 all-candidates event.
“I think this event is so important; it is crucial to have as much information available to make an educated vote,” she said.
Student club advances environmental awareness and stewardship
Ross shares her passion for TWEC and its mission.
“The Trinity Western Environmental Club (TWEC) has been part of campus for many years, and we are excited to be a part of campus life once again,” she began.
“The Environmental Club is rooted in loving God, people, and the environment. As Christians we have been called to steward the earth; we will do so by spreading environmental awareness, creating hope for the future, and starting a change here and now,” she said, inspired by the Genesis 2:15 call to care for creation.
Motivating environmentally sustainable changes on campus
Ross predicts that the club will run several engaging events this year, to raise awareness for environmental protection.
“We hope to have another garbage clean up event on campus; at the end we do a prize draw for those who participate,” she said.
Last year TWEC and Trinity Western’s Student Association (TWUSA) created Sustainability Week, where throughout the week, students listed ways to be more sustainable and more reflective on the impact humans have on the planet. Ross recalled that the week was ended with a “Swap + Shop” allowing people to sell the things they no longer want or need instead of throwing them out.
Making a positive impact through environmental studies
Ross is a fourth-year Environmental Studies major. Speaking of what inspired her to study this field, she credits her early experiences.
“Growing up I spent a lot of time outside, learning about the vegetation, and issues around forestry, as my father is a Forester,” she said.
“Later on I realized how important it is to protect our planet, not just because our future looks so uncertain due to what has happened in the past and the present pressing issues, but because protecting creation, being stewards, is what God intended us to be,” she continued.
Ross also has a deep passion for the natural sciences. “I also love learning how special and important every single organism is, and how everything is all linked together,” she said. “I’ve had the chance to study a couple of different ecosystems and it’s been so amazing seeing how intricate and specialized everything has been created!”
See this story in the Langley Advance Times.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.