I had the opportunity and pleasure to sit with Scott Blyth and discuss the group Sustainable Brandon to learn what they’re all about. Sustainable Brandon is a group of caring individuals who have a mutual goal of helping the planet, by helping Brandon become sustainable in all areas.

Blyth stated that the aim of Sustainable Brandon is to “Encourage and enable the city of Brandon and its residents to address the current climate crisis. Moving towards environmental sustainability as quickly as we can, and do so in ways that benefit marginalized community members who are most vulnerable to harms from climate change.”

Sustainable Brandon does a variety of things, such as working with provincial and city officials, workshops, strikes, city clean-ups, and Earth Day events. They have many achievements, one being working with the Riverbank Discovery Centre and helping with the process of installing solar panels on one of their buildings. They are also involved in a project involving the wetland that is south of Brandon, making sure it is acknowledged when expansions are considered.

Many feel hopeless about the climate crisis, but it is important to remember there are always ways to help individually, and as a community. Change is achieved as a collective, and Sustainable Brandon is a great group to be a part of. Some personal ways you can help the climate crisis are: walking/biking, taking public transportation, recycling, composting, consuming less meat, consuming less in general (not buying unnecessary things), and educating yourself and others on the climate crisis.

Everyone is welcome to join Sustainable Brandon! If you are interested, contact Madeline Robinson at bdnclimateaction@gmail.com. You can also follow them on Instagram @sustainablebrandonmb.