Living Earth Council

By Eleanor Willner-Fraser, NSEN Community Engagement Volunteer

The Living Earth Council (LEC) is a group of citizens who engage in community connections, public discussion, and the exploration of ideas. They undertake actions to benefit the local environment in Truro and surrounding communities. Founded over 10 years ago, the Council aims to contribute locally to the global sustainability movement. It currently has just under 350 members, including five board members.

LEC’s current focus is local climate mitigation. Its priorities include advocating for community renewable energy projects, urban rewilding, and food security. Members have also carried on projects around, among other things, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable active transportation.

LEC has monthly meetings that are open to all members. It held the Cobequid Climate Summit in September 2019, which featured short presentations followed by conversation among participants and discussion of possible actions. After the Summit, LEC hosted a series of climate cafés to continue the process of gathering, learning, reflecting, and taking action.

As a result of the pandemic, the Council has shifted to hosting online climate cafés and a virtual community energy forum and organizing community garbage clean-ups. They have various other events in the works, including a virtual Seedy Saturday plant sale, native tree and wildflower planting, and a speakers series.

LEC is striving to look outward and become more inclusive. Visits its website and Facebook page to learn more about its work and sign up as a member. The Council is also looking for additional board members. If you would like to learn more or are interested in getting involved, reach out to lectruro@gmail.com.