The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment wants to stop fossil fuel companies from providing educational materials to public schools in British Columbia.
The association’s B.C. chapter released an open letter to Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside on Wednesday urging her to end fossil fuel promotion in schools.
Dr. Lori Adamson, an emergency room doctor in Salmon Arm, says in a statement that she was shocked when her son brought home educational materials from FortisBC, the province’s largest natural gas distributor.
FortisBC says in a statement that it disagrees with “the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment characterization of the Energy Leaders program,” adding that its educational materials teach students safe use and conservation of energy, and its effects on climate change.
It says it has worked with experts to make sure its lesson plans are “bias-balanced, curriculum-connected and peer-reviewed by curriculum specialists and educators.”
A statement from the Education Ministry says it does not review or endorse educational resources provided by industry, and does not “recommend or authorize the use of resources like FortisBC’s Energy Leaders program.”
It says the ministry is “reviewing this issue to ensure classrooms are free of corporate priorities, so students can continue to learn in an unbiased environment,” but it also says the B.C. curriculum offers a strong foundation for climate change education.
Adamson, who is a member of the association, said in a statement she has seen the effects of climate change in her work.
“People are dying of heat stroke and being displaced by flooding and landslides. We’re losing entire communities to wildfires, and the mental health impacts are hitting us like a tidal wave.”
BC Teachers Federation president Teri Mooring says in a statement provided by the association of physicians that teachers want an end to corporate ads in schools.
“The BCTF has long been concerned about corporate advertising and presence in schools, and has policies against the commercialization of public education,” the statement says. “The fossil fuel industry has no place in B.C. classrooms, especially as we face an unprecedented climate crisis.”
She says the federation will work with the government in “developing unbiased, science-based climate education resources.”
The association says its open letter has the backing of nearly 100 other organizations, including the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.