Earth Day, our favourite time of year!
Time and time again, this day reminds us of what’s at stake, and what’s possible when local action meets collective heart. Across the country, our Community Climate Hubs rose to the occasion in diverse, incredible ways. Here’s how a few of our Hubs turned Earth Day into a full-on celebration of climate action, community care and creative resistance.
Nelson: An entire week of celebration
In Nelson, Earth Day wasn’t just a day; it was a movement that stretched across seven!
From April 22 to April 28, the West Kootenay Climate Hub helped organize an unforgettable lineup of 25 events over the course of Earth Week, drawing more than 700 participants into forests, theatres, community halls and even the beach.
The week included nature walks, educational sessions, a youth innovation contest, a film festival, musical performances and a community beach clean-up. On Sunday, an Indigenous-led daybreak water ceremony guided by Sinixt cultural leader Shelly Boyd invited participants into a moment of reflection and gratitude for the land and water, while a vibrant Earth Day parade later that day brought colour, music and recycled costumes to the streets of Nelson.
The West Kootenay Climate Hub joins the Earth Day parade in Nelson.
All in all, the West Kootenay Climate Hub showed us that climate action can be sacred, celebratory and deeply local. Proof that serious change also needs serious joy!
New Westminster: One home at a time
Over in New Westminster, the local Climate Action Hub brought sustainability right to people’s doorsteps. Literally!
As part of their Climate Friendly Homes Tour, the Hub hosted a series of Sustainable Home Info Sessions on April 26 that turned everyday residences into learning spaces. Nearly 175 participants (including New Westminster’s mayor, Patrick Johnstone, who swung by for a few hours!) biked between homes, popped into talks on climate adaptation and biodiversity and left with tangible ideas for decarbonizing their own spaces. Whether you lived in a condo, a character home or anything in between, there was something for everyone.
Highlights included expert-led conversations on everything from staying safe during heatwaves and stormwater management to electric retrofits and habitat creation. Along the way, guests picked up tips on native gardening, resilience planning and how to work with (and not against) nature.
The New West Hub hosts one of several Sustainable Home Info Sessions for residents of New Westminster.
At a time when the climate crisis can feel abstract or overwhelming, the New West Hub’s approach grounded the conversation in what we can do today: starting at home.
Fredericton: Raising banners for a livable future
The Fredericton Hub joined forces with Seniors for Climate for an impactful Earth Day rally. Despite the not-so-awesome weather, more than 100 people gathered in front of the provincial legislature to demand climate leadership. The time for action is now, they said, and no one is too old (or too young) to be part of the solution!
Hub members stood proudly beside banners, posed for a quick photo with Premier Susan Holt and celebrated the growing cross-generational movement for climate justice in New Brunswick.
Fredericton Hub members rally around their banner and snap a photo with New Brunswick Premier, Susan Holt.
Local media took notice, too; interviews with Hub members aired on both CBC and Global News, helping spread the message far beyond the rally. Seniors spoke from lived experience, recalling how the climate has shifted in their lifetime and calling on political leaders to prioritize a livable planet for the generations to come. It was a powerful and necessary reminder that climate action isn't just about emissions or energy; it’s also about legacy.
Looking ahead
Each of these Earth Week events served as reminders that climate action is already taking root in our communities, grounded in connection, culture and care.
Through workshops, rallies, home tours, art, ceremony and conversation, our Climate Hubs brought and continue to bring people together to learn from one another, amplify community voices and push for bold local action. They’re helping residents get involved in municipal climate planning, advocate for low-carbon housing and transit, protect local ecosystems and make their neighbourhoods more livable and resilient in the face of climate change.
At the end of the day, we know that’s what true community climate leadership looks like: practical, inclusive and deeply collaborative. It’s about making sure everyone has a seat at the table and a stake in the solutions. If this is what just one day or week of action can spark, imagine the change we can build together year-round.
Want to be part of the movement? There’s a Climate Hub waiting for you, whether you’re a seasoned organizer or new to the movement.
Your voice matters. Your energy matters. And your community needs you.
Find your local hub or start your own, and let’s keep the momentum going together!