Changing for Climate Series *
The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is taking climate change seriously.
As stewards of the land and harvesters of plants, berries and animals, the Métis people are witnessing first-hand the depletion of these staples alongside other environmental impacts due to climate change.
In 2017, the MNA engaged with more than 1,700 of their people across Alberta and asked them what they thought should be done about these issues.
The outcome was the Métis Climate Action Plan which focuses on education, renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental monitoring.
35 solar projects
With the price of solar very low, and available grants the MNA installed solar modules on 35 sites across Alberta including on three sides of the Métis Urban Housing and Métis Capital Housing offices in Edmonton.
According to Andrés Filella, director of environment and climate change, they’ve installed 550 kilowatts of solar, but adds they need five to six megawatts to offset all of their electricity use.
According to Bindu Bonneau, senior director of operations for the Métis Urban Housing Corporation, these projects are reducing operational costs by $16,000 per year and these savings can be redirected back into programs and benefits for their citizens.
Energy efficiency
Soon after adopting their climate plan the MNA conducted energy audits of many facilities and completed 10 energy retrofits improving the efficiency of water and air heating systems, lighting, appliances, windows and insulation.
The solar and energy efficiency improvements are providing socio-economic benefits, says Filella. The Métis people want to achieve financial sustainability and all of these efforts are contributing to that.
These programs are also creating jobs. Métis contractors installed the solar system on the housing offices and the MNA maintains a Métis contractor database: Alberta MétisWorks.
Thinking big about climate action
It was intimidating to figure out where to start five years ago, but these early climate action successes have inspired the organization to think bigger about climate action and resilience.
The MNA recently completed construction on the Métis Crossing Cultural Center near Smoky Lake, Alberta. It’s a nationally significant cultural interpretive center created for Métis people to share their stories.
They have funding in place and are now constructing a large solar project. “It’s almost a five-megawatt solar project, which is going to generate enough energy to power roughly 1,100 Alberta homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 4,500 tons every year,” says Filella.
“It feels awesome to see the results of these projects. It gives us more momentum. We don’t want to stop there. We want to do more. We want to do another 500 kilowatts of micro. We want to do another 20 to 40 megawatts of large-scale renewables because we recognize that it has a real environmental impact, and it’s also a huge economic development opportunity.”
*(David Dodge of Green Energy Futures worked with the City of Edmonton to produce a 14-part series on people Changing for Climate – we are pleased to present an adapted version of the original story here)
