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VIDEO: Cyclist pedals through fire and flames to raise money on Western Canada trek

Alex Simakov has seen firsthand the effects of climate change on Western Canada

An energy consultant raising funds for the Nature Conservancy of Canada made a stop in Kelowna on his bike ride across Western Canada.

He said his goal for the 1,400-kilometre trip is to show people how important it is to take care of our natural ecosystems, especially as climate change continues to take a toll on wildlife, forests and wetlands.

ѻýWeѻýve been here for a couple hundred years now and thatѻýs left a bit of an impact on the natural flora and fauna,ѻý he said.

ѻýWhile that in itself is a bit of a challenge, itѻýs going to be particularly problematic as the impacts of climate change intensify. We need to make sure that the health of our forests, wetlands and prairies are in the best shape they can be to make sure that we can withstand the droughts, floods and forest fires weѻýre experiencing now and will continue to experience.ѻý

Simakov said he used to come to the Okanagan on road trips with his family when he was younger, saying he remembered seeing stars clearly throughout the summer.

Now, with wildfires raging and smoke blanketing the valley, he couldnѻýt see the stars that made an impression on him as a boy.

ѻýItѻýs been particularly difficultѻý itѻýs harder to breathe and it stings your eyes, so I have to wear my glasses for every moment Iѻým riding or they blur up,ѻý he said.

ѻýYou also pass these burned-out charred landscapes and it tugs at you in a way that hearing the news or seeing videos doesnѻýt. I also expected to see more wildlifeѻý but I havenѻýt seen much beyond a deer and a few crows. Some of these ecosystems have lost their vitality and I just think we need to take proactive, prudent measures now to start reversing this and restore the vitality.ѻý

He said he has also had a chance to connect with people throughout his ride, sharing with them what he has seen firsthand with wildfire-ravaged areas but he has also had a chance to learn more about what is being done by non-profits like the Nature Conservancy of Canada to preserve and restore wildlands.

ѻýIѻým really hoping to apply these firsthand experiences of what Iѻýve seen on the ground here to better inform myself, my colleagues and my industry to make sure weѻýre more cognizant of the impact we can have, both negatively and positively,ѻý he said.

To donate to Simakovѻýs Nature Conservancy fundraiser, you can do so .

READ MORE: In 2021, wildfires in B.C. have burned more land than all of P.E.I.

READ MORE: White Rock Lake wildfire orders ease but concern could rise along with the temperature



twila.amato@blackpress.ca

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Twila Amato

About the Author: Twila Amato

Twila was a radio reporter based in northern Vancouver Island. She won the Jack Webster Student Journalism Award while at BCIT and received a degree in ancient and modern Greek history from McGill University.
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