Who we are

Community • Resilience • Climate

Transforming to a just, sustainable society

In 2011, Sooke became the 346th community to be recognized by the Transition Network. Transition Sooke is a citizen-based, volunteer, public-interest group focused on creating a sustainable, resilient and secure community that meets the challenges of the climate emergency. Members if Transition Sooke live throughout the town of Sooke and its neighboring communities in the region.

Where we Are

Transition Sooke is located in the unceded ancestral territories of the T’Sou-ke and Scia’new First Nations, in the town of Sooke, BC. Originally a forestry and fishing community, Sooke is now a modest tourist destination and bedroom community on the outer edges of Greater Victoria. Ongoing rapid growth and development pressure present significant challenges for local climate action.

What we do

Transition Sooke has had some success in providing a forum for community members to learn about and consider strategies to combat the climate emergency. Two large “Town Hall” style meetings in 2019 and 2020 led to the formation of many action teams taking on specific climate issues, addressing both our need to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to the changing climate. These include:

• • Green energy for commercial and residential buildings
  • Fossil-fuel free transportation and infrastructure
  • Divestment from fossil fuels
  • Building a local economy
  • Self-sufficient and secure local food and agriculture
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Official Community Plan (OCP) and Climate Action
  • Addressing climate angst
  • Pesticide Education – building awareness of pesticides and their alternatives

Over the years, Transition Sooke has started several programs and services in the region:

1. Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative – a working group from diverse religious, ethical and spiritual traditions that makes its mark by focusing on the moral, spiritual, emotional and social needs of the Sooke community.
2. Zero Waste Sooke – Educate the public and the next generation on waste reduction following the 5Rs of the international Zero Waste movement — Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot in that order — as a sane and sustainable lifestyle choice
3. Wild Wise Sooke – a wildlife educational program working to promote coexistence between the Sooke community and our wild neighbours, and reduce wildlife-human conflict. Wild Wise Sooke is now a valued independent organization.

How we do it

Transition Sooke acts as a resource and builds awareness with the Sooke community and with different levels of government to develop creative solutions to sustainability and climate change. Transition Sooke holds virtual and in-person workshops and town halls; makes presentations to Council and its committees; publishes stories and posts in mainstream and social media; develops educational resources; hosts a website and Facebook page; and sends out a monthly newsletter.

Transition Sooke’s members and supporters, who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, work together collegially and democratically to create positive change. Transition Sooke supports and collaborates with other groups and individuals in the Sooke region that share its concerns and values.

Transition Sooke believes that the transformation to a new society must not leave anyone behind. Climate and sustainability initiatives and policies need to be just, fair and equitable.

Members of Transition Sooke meet regularly either in-person or online and share progress on ongoing initiatives, discuss new actions, and find out what other relevant activities are going on in the community.