Re-focusing public awareness on climate change

Jan 28, 2010

Former and present Green Party candidates Rolly Montpellier and Jennifer Wheeler

A small gathering of local residents gathered at Oso Hall on Jan. 24 to view the futuristic docu-drama about the devastating consequences of ignoring climate change titled “The Age of Stupid’. Organized by Pamela Hickman and made possible by the local Green Party Association, the film was shown in the hopes of educating the public about environmental awareness.

Two local Green Party candidates attended the viewing. Jennifer Wheeler from Snow Road Station is the federal candidate for the Green Party in the riding of LFLA county. She spoke to me about the importance of giving the public an opportunity to be made aware of these issues. “We really feel that now is the time for action on climate change. We need to continue the pressure on the government so that we can keep moving forward on these issues. The talks in Copenhagen definitely helped focus the public’s attention but did not pan out very well so we need to refocus and keep the momentum going and try to get some constructive work done.”

Wheeler was officially declared a Green Party candidate in September 2009. She works as a naturopathic doctor and runs her own businesses out of Perth and Kemptville. She explained the close connection between her full-time work and her political position. “Every day with my own patients I see how the environment directly affects our health and have come to realize that we can only be as healthy as our environment.”

Former provincial Green Party candidate Rolly Montpellier was also in attendance for the viewing and said that he has future plans to compete as a candidate in the next provincial election in the riding of LFLA of 2011. Public awareness is also an important concern for him. In his words, “The film is just another vehicle for raising awareness. We face a lot of challenges as a species on this planet and it seems that unless there is a huge crisis like the one we are seeing currently in Haiti people don’t seem to get involved in what the future might hold for our children and grandchildren. I feel it's very important to deal with awareness anytime and any place that you can.”

Anyone who missed the viewing can visit the Green Party website for future film dates at www.greenparty.ca