Kevin Vallely sees himself as a witness.
In 2013 the Lynn Valley explorer set out to the row the Northwest Passage in his boat the Arctic Joule. Navigating through a frost-filled sea that had killed other explorers was an adventure, but it was also intended to serve as evidence of climate change.
In his chronicle, Rowing the Northwest Passage, Vallely recalls being branded “Eco greenie Kool-Aid chuggers” by social media climate change deniers, Valley recalls.
But the tide has started to turn in recent years, the author reports.
“Take a look around you,” he says, referring to the smoky haze lingering over Metro Vancouver. I’ve never had an audience push back on reality.”
By sharing stories of his expedition, Vallely is hoping to generate unified action on Earth’s rising temperatures and sea levels.
“We talk a good talk, our government certainly does, about championing climate change, yet we’re still building bloody pipelines,” he says. “At a certain point you’ve just got to make a stand.”
Vallely’s talk is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Lynn Valley library on Sept. 8. Registration is required.
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